Author: Nikolina Horvat

Annual Appeal 2024

Posted on | by Nikolina Horvat
Mario Juric, DiRAC Director

I’m excited to reach out to you today as we close out another year of groundbreaking scientific work.

And what a year it was! Our researchers published the first results from the DECam Ecliptic Exploration Program (or DEEP), the largest exploration program of the outer solar system to date. Our students made their mark by discovering rare stars and pinpointing mysterious X-ray sources. Our team also added to resolving the growing challenge of satellite constellations, studying their impact on Earth-based astronomy and exploring solutions to balance technological advancement with the need for clear skies.  In total, since our founding, we have co-authored over 900 papers, earning more than 16,000 citations, including developing innovative algorithms and software that are advancing the next generation of astronomical discoveries. And our excellent undergraduates are a centerpiece of UW’s new Be Boundless campaign, held up as the example of cutting-edge innovation and teaching conducted at the University of Washington.

But the major milestone this year has been the start of commissioning of the Rubin Observatory. After nearly two decades of research, development and construction, on October 23rd the test camera on the Simonyi Telescope took the first image of the sky. This was a truly momentous occasion for the entire team. DiRAC researchers have built the core parts of the system that focuses the telescope, as well as the data processing system that analyzes the data downstream: seeing it work so well was an incredibly gratifying experience! With these first data in hand, we look towards 2025 confident that by the end of it Rubin will begin the largest optical sky survey in history: the Legacy Survey of Space and Time.

That will be our focus for 2025: realizing the 20 years of investment in Rubin by producing the first ground-breaking science from this paradigm-changing telescope.

Our researchers and students will use Rubin to search for asteroids that may impact the Earth, try to locate the 9th planet in the Solar System, understand how our planets formed, map the variable stars in our Galaxy, build the deepest map of the Milky Way, understand how the Universe as a whole is expanding, and much, much, more!

Where we are now would not be possible without you — our students and postdocs have been exploring the Universe and preparing for Rubin thanks to your support. And your continued support is what will enable these first discoveries: from funding the Summer Research Prizes for our undergraduate students – allowing them to spend a summer focused solely on research – to DiRAC Postdoctoral Fellowships which allow us to bring the best and brightest talent in astrophysics to solve these hard research problems, to outreach activities letting us bring this work into Seattle-area high schools and beyond.

I invite you to continue supporting us as we enter into the next phase of exploration. Your donation will help our students, postdocs, and researchers shape the future of astronomy!

Thank you for being a vital part of our journey.

Mario Jurić

DiRAC Director

  • The Simonyi Survey Telescope now has its mirrors and a camera in place. (Credit: Rubin Observatory)
  • The Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Simonyi Survey Telescope will make use of an 8.4-meter primary mirror and an 3.5-meter secondary mirror. Note the size of the support structure compared with the size of the workers on the platform. (Credit: Rubin Observatory / NSF / AURA / F. Munoz Arancibia)
  • LSST Camera Arrives at Rubin Observatory in Chile
  • Left to Right: Sophia Watts, Maggie Vickers, Giovanni Gollotti, and Felix Knowlton

Letter From the Director

Posted on | by Nikolina Horvat
Prof. Mario Jurić, DiRAC Director

Welcome back to campus as we embark on a new academic year! I hope you all had a great summer and are ready to dive into your studies and research.

This summer was a vibrant time for the DiRAC community, marked by significant research endeavors. I’m excited to highlight some of this research: Aritra Ghosh’s groundbreaking paper, published in August, explores the fascinating relationship between galaxies in dense environments and the effects of their surroundings. Using machine learning techniques, Aritra analyzed 3 million galaxies observed by the Subaru telescope and conclusively showed that galaxies with many neighbors are larger than their more isolated counterparts — an observational result that contradicts current theoretical expectations. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, I highly encourage you to do so!

Additionally, I’m thrilled to welcome our new DiRAC members who have joined us this quarter: Prof. Nora Shipp, Astronomy Assistant Professor and new addition to the DiRAC Faculty; Dr. Peter Ferguson, the 2024 DiRAC Postdoctoral Fellow; Dr. Arpit Arora, a postdoc studying galactic dynamics and dark matter; and Michael Tauraso, Software Engineer with the LINCC Frameworks. They bring a diverse set of interests and skills to our team, just in time for LSST. With Nora, Arpit, and Peter joining us, I look forward to DiRAC playing a major role in near-field cosmology in the upcoming years.

As always, we’re striving to make this academic year a productive and inspiring one, filled with learning and discovery. But this year will be special: after nearly two decades of R&D and construction, the Rubin Observatory is entering its commissioning phase in early November and will begin the largest survey of the universe in mid-2025. Expect to read more about it on these pages over the next few months, as the first data starts to arrive.

Welcome to the year of discovery, and follow us as we strive to understand the universe!

Warm regards,

Mario Juric

DiRAC Director

Decoding the Universe

Posted on | by Nikolina Horvat

UW Be Boundless Campaign featured Professor Mario Jurić and his undergraduate students, showcasing how to use cutting-edge coding skills to help scientists make the most of discoveries from a revolutionary Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s telescope.

The Rubin Observatory, in northern Chile, will begin a 10-year survey of the night sky in 2025. It is an example of how to harness new technology to drive discoveries and cultivate a new generation of innovators. 

Every night, the Rubin’s Simonyi Survey Telescope will capture millions of changes in stars and other objects. This database of the night sky will require algorithms to sift through the billions of bits of information, so DiRAC scientists and engineers are already crafting the software. And that’s where the future astronomers in Jurić’s class come in.

Read the full article here.

Meet DiRAC’s Research Team: Peter Ferguson

Posted on | by Nikolina Horvat
Peter Ferguson, DiRAC Postdoctoral Fellow

At the University of Washington Peter Ferguson is a DiRAC postdoctoral fellow as well as a fellow in the eScience institute. Previously, he was a postdoc at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was part of the observational cosmology group, and he completed his PhD at Texas A&M University.

Peter Ferguson is interested in learning about the nature of dark matter and galaxy formation using wide-field astronomical surveys such as the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.

In particular, he works on finding and characterizing stellar streams and dwarf galaxies in the local universe and enabling this science by making infrastructure level contributions to cosmological surveys. These contributions range from instrumentation and calibration to science validation and software development.

Denser Environments Cultivate Larger Galaxies

Posted on | by Nikolina Horvat

In a new paper published in The Astrophysical Journal, the team, which used a machine-learning algorithm to analyze millions of galaxies, reports that galaxies found in denser regions of the universe are as much as 25% larger than isolated galaxies. The findings resolve a long-standing debate among astrophysicists over the relationship between a galaxy’s size and its environment, but also raise new questions about how galaxies form and evolve over billions of years.

Dr. Aritra Ghosh

Dr. Aritra Ghosh, a UW postdoctoral researcher in astronomy and an LSST-DA Catalyst Fellow with the UW’s DiRAC Institute, led the team behind this discovery, which includes researchers at Yale, the Leibniz Institute and Waseda University. Dr. Andrew Connolly, a UW professor of astronomy, is co-author on the study.

Here is a link to the full story written by James Urton for the UW News.

https://www.washington.edu/news/2024/08/14/galaxy-size/

DiRAC Hosted A Stellar Evening at the Planetarium

Posted on | by Nikolina Horvat

Last Wednesday, the UW planetarium became the epicenter of excitement and discovery, hosting an event that left attendees starry-eyed and inspired. The evening was filled with captivating presentations about current and anticipated discoveries with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory which is currently in the last phase of the construction in Chile.

As guests arrived, they were greeted by the DiRAC team. The lobby buzzed with conversations about the evening’s program. The event kicked off with a warm welcome from Prof. Mario Juric, DiRAC director, who highlighted the importance of community engagement in the pursuit of scientific knowledge. Followed by the latest updates from Prof. Zeljko Ivezic, Rubin Observatory Construction Project Director. Prof. Ivezic took to the stage to introduce this cutting-edge observatory, which promises to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. Equipped with the latest in telescope technology, this observatory will allow scientists to look deeper into space than ever before.

  • UW Planetarium
  • DiRAC Reception
  • Prof. Juric Presentation
  • LSST Camera | Vera C. Rubin
  • Andy Tzanidakis
    Graduate Student
    UW Planetarium Coordinator
  • LSST Camera Transportation from USA to Chile
  • Prof. Željko Ivezic

The Planetarium Experience

The highlight of the night was the planetarium experience led by Prof. Andy Connolly. The presentation detailed how the observatory’s advanced camera would enable the discovery, the study of distant galaxies, and the exploration of cosmic phenomena that have long puzzled astronomers. The audience was treated to stunning visuals of the observatory’s capabilities, and the excitement in the room was wonderful to experience.

Engaging Presentations

Following the planetarium show, a series of presentations captivated the audience. Each talk was a quick dive into one segment that Rubin will help us understand. Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) were the topic of this session. It was designed to educate and inspire. The audience was left in awe, with many expressing a newfound appreciation for the unknown of our universe.

Interactive Q&A Sessions

The event also featured interactive Q&A sessions, where attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and engage with the experts. These sessions sparked lively discussions and provided deeper insights into the topics covered. It was clear that the audience was eager to learn, with questions ranging from the technical aspects of the new observatory to the implications of recent discoveries.

Looking to the Future

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank again everyone for their participation and to emphasize the importance of public support for scientific endeavors and encouraged everyone to stay curious and engaged.

The planetarium event was more than just a series of presentations; it was a celebration of human curiosity and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. As guests departed, they carried with them not only a deeper understanding of the universe but also a sense of wonder and inspiration. The night was a testament to the power of education and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead as we continue to explore the cosmos.

Photo Credit: Bruno C. Quint

Letter From the Director

Posted on | by Nikolina Horvat
Prof. Mario Jurić

Welcome to DiRAC’s newsletter!

We are excited to share the latest updates and achievements from our incredible team. Your support makes our work and educational efforts possible, and we are deeply grateful for it.

Mark your calendars for June 12th! Join us for the DiRAC Planetarium Experience, where UW astronomers will reveal their latest discoveries and provide a sneak peek at the possibilities from the Rubin Observatory. After the presentation, enjoy a rare, behind-the-scenes tour of our labs, where the secrets of comet dust are uncovered.

This season has been filled with remarkable discoveries and positive media coverage. We invite you to explore the articles linked here for more details. We hope you find them as inspiring as we do and look forward to seeing you in person at our upcoming DiRAC event.

Thank you,

Mario Juric
Director, DiRAC Institute
Professor, Department of Astronomy

DiRAC Planetarium | June 12th at 6:00 pm

Posted on | by Nikolina Horvat

You are invited!

Join us for a planetarium show, an evening of discussion and learning with UW astronomers building the largest sky survey in human history.

June 12, 2024, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Register here!

Reserve your spot today by using this registration link.

Space is limited for this event.

Refreshments and light appetizers will be available during the event in the auditorium foyer.

Physics/Astronomy Auditorium (PAA), 3910 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105

  • LSST Camera Arrives at Rubin Observatory in Chile
  • Colin Orion Chandler’s “Active Asteroids” Citizen Science project
  • Prof. Mario Juric, DiRAC Director, in conversation with Planetarium Experience attendees Nov 2023.
  • Rubin Observatory Visit Nov 2023

We’re at the brink of a new age of survey-driven discovery in astronomy. Where before we could only study a handful of objects at a time, new detectors, algorithms, and telescopes will soon allow us – and the entire world – to monitor billions.

The flagship of this era will be the Rubin Observatory, set to open in Chile in 2025. Rubin will continuously gather data for over 20Bn stars, 20Bn galaxies, with billions of asteroid observations. In importance, it is a ground-based peer of the Webb space telescope.

We hope you can join us for this enriching experience!

PROGRAM

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Welcome & Introduction to DiRAC

Prof. Mario Juric, DiRAC Director

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Planetarium Experience: First Science with Rubin Observatory

Prof. Andrew Connolly, eScience Director

7:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Conversations with UW Astronomers

Joachim Moeyens, Postdoctoral Fellow at the DiRAC Institute at the University of Washington

Ari Heinze, Research Scientist, University of Washington, DiRAC Institute

Colin Orion Chandler, LINCC Frameworks project scientist at the University of Washington and DiRAC Institute

LSST Camera Made Its Way to the Rubin Observatory

Posted on | by Nikolina Horvat

LSST Camera Arrives at Rubin Observatory in Chile, Paving the Way for Cosmic Exploration

This is the last major component of the Rubin Observatory, and it will soon be integrated into the Simonyi Survey Telescope to begin calibration and testing. We at DiRAC, UW Astronomy, and the whole Rubin/LSST community are thrilled to see the hardware finally on site!

Image credit: Olivier Bonin/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

This is the last major component of the Rubin Observatory, and it will soon be integrated into the Simonyi Survey Telescope to begin calibration and testing. We at DiRAC, UW Astronomy, and the whole Rubin/LSST community are thrilled to see the hardware finally on site!

As you know, this is the largest digital camera of its kind ever created, and will be in near-constant use for a decade as we search the sky for asteroids, supernovae, and the unknown unknowns! As the first test data starts to arrive, and with Survey operations starting next year, I am so excited to see the discoveries that will rewrite our textbooks. 

Beyond software and science development, we’re busy recruiting and continuing to build the team that will make these groundbreaking discoveries possible at UW.  We are in the midst of grant writing and fundraising to allow us to bring a new cohort of diverse and energetic scientists to Seattle, and I invite you all to continue to be involved in this journey with us. 

Finally, thank you for your support and enthusiasm over the past 6 years. I am always so heartened to see how many people share our vision to understand the Universe through data.

Keep looking up!

Jim Davenport

Associate Director, DiRAC

Algorithms pioneered at DiRAC help Asteroid Institute and Google Identify 27,500 New Asteroids

Posted on | by Nikolina Horvat

The Solar System group at the DiRAC Institute at the University of Washington has dedicated efforts to advancing asteroid and comet discovery algorithms for large datasets and next generation surveys. Our enduring partnership with the Asteroid Institute has yielded significant progress, resulting in the development of a novel algorithm known as Tracklet-less Heliocentric Orbit Recovery (THOR).

This innovative algorithm has been built into the Asteroid Institute’s Asteroid Discovery Analysis and Mapping (ADAM) platform, running on Google Cloud.

Asteroid Institute, a program of B612 Foundation, and Google today announced the most significant results of this partnership to date: identifying 27,500 new, high-confidence asteroid discovery candidates.

Congratulations to the entire team!

Featured in New York Times here.

Read more here about the details of their work and the discovery.

Credit: B612 Asteroid Institute / University of Washington DiRAC Institute / OpenSpace Project

Discoveries visualized in the inner Solar System. Main belt asteroid discoveries, shown in green, reside between the orbits of Mars (red) and Jupiter (brownish-gray). The Jupiter Trojans, shown in orange, lead and follow Jupiter at 2 and 10 o’clock. In light blue are Near Earth Objects (NEOs) discoveries.