Support the Astronomy Department Student Programs on Husky Giving Day

March 1, 2023 |

The Astronomy Department will be taking part in Husky Giving Day, an annual philanthropy event at the University of Washington! We are trying to raise funds to support research programs for our undergraduate and graduate students. Watch the video and learn why engaging early in the research in a students career can have a profound […]

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A green comet is passing by Earth. Here’s how to see it.

February 1, 2023 | National Geographic, Michael Greshko

“The Zwicky Transient Facility, which found the new green comet, provides a preview of what to expect from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, a gigantic facility currently under construction in Chile. Once operational in 2024, it will be the biggest survey telescope ever built, opening up a whole new era of cosmic understanding. “

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Earth’s Orbit Is About to Get More Crowded

January 19, 2023 | EOS | Sarah Scoles

Sometime this coming March, a network of 10 small satellites winged with solar panels is scheduled to launch into Earth’s low orbit. Though likely invisible to the naked eye, the satellites will be part of a future herd of hundreds that, according to the Space Development Agency, or SDA, will bolster the United States’ defense […]

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The seven-year photobomb: Distant star’s dimming was likely a ‘dusty’ companion getting in the way, astronomers say

January 10, 2023 | UW News | James Urton

UW doctoral student Anastasios “Andy” Tzanidakis announced the discovery of a rare type of binary star system. Tzanidakis and Dr. James Davenport, a UW research assistant professor of astronomy and associate director of the DiRAC Institute, were investigating why the star Gaia17bpp had gradually brightened over a 2 1/2-year period. In some investigative follow-up work, […]

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Big Data in the Night Sky

December 1, 2022 | Nancy Joseph | UW News

In conversation with James Davenport and 2022 DiRAC Research Prize recipients read more about Vera C. Rubin Observatory and important role of the scientists at the UW’s DiRAC Institute.

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Space, our final dumping ground. Can we clean it up?

October 24, 2022 | KUOW

Last week, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced a new bill calling for the removal of “space junk.” The Orbital Sustainability Act, or the ORBITS Act, aims to promote the development of technology and methods to clean up rocket and satellite debris orbiting Earth.

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LSSTC Catalyst Postdoctoral Fellowship

October 4, 2022 | DiRAC NEWS

Applications are open for the LSSTC Catalyst Postdoctoral Fellowship. UW is one of the eligible host institutions for this exciting program. The “Ideas Lab” virtual info session will be held Oct 6th. Register here.

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