Latest News

2024 Jansky Fellows Awarded

2024 Jansky Fellows Awarded

As a part of its central mission to nurture and inspire the next generation of radio astronomers, the National Science Foundation’s National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) has selected two outstanding early career professionals for its 2024 Jansky Fellowship. 

The Jansky Fellowship encourages early career astronomy and engineering professionals to pursue their personal research interests through the lens of radio astronomy, and with the support of NRAO’s observatories and research and engineering resources. Appointed for two years, with the opportunity to renew for a third year, Jansky Fellows develop broad skill sets and establish themselves as innovative, independent research scientists and engineers, and top leaders in the field by deepening their understanding of radio astronomy while collaborating with NRAO scientific staff and their colleagues in the global astrophysics community. 

Adam Dong 

Adam Dong earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering in 2015 and a bachelor of science degree in physics in 2017, both from the University of Auckland. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in astronomy at the University of British Columbia. Adam’s expertise is in characterizing pulsars and Fast Radio Bursts. Using the immense field of view and the large collection area of the Canadian Hydrogen Mapping Experiment (CHIME) telescope, he has led the effort to conduct the largest survey of single pulses from pulsars to date. Adam is also interested in the effects of satellite constellations on current and future-generation radio telescopes. As a Jansky Fellow at Green Bank Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia, Adam will integrate data from CHIME, the CHIME outriggers, the Green Bank Telescope, and other observatories to explore the new landscape of large fields of view in conjunction with high astrometric precision.

Kyle Massingill

Kyle Massingill earned his undergraduate degree in physics at the University of Arizona, where he worked on the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). He is currently a  Ph.D. candidate in astrophysics at Arizona State University, where he has focused on millimeter-wave filter-bank design, simulation, and testing. Kyle has integrated his filter-banks into novel weather sensors that are being tested on high-altitude balloons. Kyle has also worked on multiple extragalactic astronomy analysis projects, focusing on using ALMA data to survey high redshift galaxies. He is currently researching quasars to explore how feedback could be regulating galaxy evolution. As a Jansky fellow, at NRAO in Socorro, New Mexico, Kyle will use his interdisciplinary experience to contribute to calibration strategies for ngVLA and further his scientific research into quasars.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a facility of the National Science Foundation, operated under a cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.



The post 2024 Jansky Fellows Awarded appeared first on National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

Orion’s Erupting Star System Reveals Its Secrets

Orion’s Erupting Star System Reveals Its Secrets

An unusual group of stars in the Orion constellation have revealed their secrets. FU Orionis, a double star system, first caught astronomers’ attention in 1936 when the central star suddenly became 1,000 times brighter than usual. This behavior, expected from dying stars, had never been seen in a young star like FU Orionis. The strange phenomenon inspired a new classification of stars sharing the same name (FUor stars). FUor stars flare suddenly, erupting in brightness, before dimming again many years later. It is now understood that this brightening is due to the stars taking in energy from their surroundings via gravitational accretion, the main force that shapes stars and planets. However, how and why this happens remained a mystery—until now, thanks to astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).

“FU Ori has been devouring material for almost 100 years to keep its eruption going. We have finally found an answer to how these young outbursting stars replenish their mass,” explains Antonio Hales, deputy manager of the North American ALMA Regional Center, scientist with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, and lead author of this research, published today in the Astrophysical Journal, “For the first time we have direct observational evidence of the material fueling the eruptions.”

ALMA observations revealed a long, thin stream of carbon monoxide falling onto FU Orionis. This gas didn’t appear to have enough fuel to sustain the current outburst. Instead, this accretion streamer is believed to be a leftover from a previous, much larger feature that fell into this young stellar system. “It is possible that the interaction with a bigger stream of gas in the past caused the system to become unstable and trigger the brightness increase,” explains Hales.

Astronomers used several configurations of ALMA antennas to capture the different types of emission coming from FU Orionis, and detect the flow of mass into the star system. They also combined novel numerical methods to model the mass flow as an accretion streamer and estimate its properties. “We compared the shape and speed of the observed structure to that expected from a trail of infalling gas, and the numbers made sense,”, says Aashish Gupta, a Ph.D. candidate at European Southern Observatory (ESO), and a co-author of this work, who developed the methods used to model the accretion streamer.

“The range of angular scales we are able to explore with a single instrument is truly remarkable. ALMA gives us a comprehensive view of the dynamics of star and planet formation, spanning from large molecular clouds in which hundreds of stars are born, down to the more familiar scales of solar systems,” adds Sebastián Pérez of Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), director of the Millennium Nucleus on Young Exoplanets and their Moons (YEMS) in Chile, and co-author of this research.

These observations also revealed an outflow of slow-moving carbon monoxide from FU Orionis. This gas is not associated with the most recent outburst. Instead, it is similar to outflows observed around other protostellar objects. Adds Hales, “By understanding how these peculiar FUor stars are made, we’re confirming what we know about how different stars and planets form. We believe that all stars undergo outburst events. These outbursts are important because they affect the chemical composition of the accretion discs around nascent stars and the planets they eventually form.”

“We have been studying FU Orionis since ALMA’s first observations in 2012,” adds Hales. It’s fascinating to finally have answers.”

About ALMA & NRAO

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), an international astronomy facility, is a partnership of the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO), the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS) of Japan in cooperation with the Republic of Chile. ALMA is funded by ESO on behalf of its Member States, by NSF in cooperation with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) in Taiwan and by NINS in cooperation with the Academia Sinica (AS) in Taiwan and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI).

ALMA construction and operations are led by ESO on behalf of its Member States; by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), managed by Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI), on behalf of North America; and by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) on behalf of East Asia. The Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO) provides the unified leadership and management of the construction, commissioning and operation of ALMA.

The NRAO is a facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation, operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

The post Orion’s Erupting Star System Reveals Its Secrets appeared first on National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

NRAO Supports International Symposium for the Future of Science in the Caribbean

NRAO Supports International Symposium for the Future of Science in the Caribbean

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) participated in an international symposium to bring together scientists from around the world to the Caribbean, to explore the future of science and technology in the region, the abilities of its resident scientists, and those in diaspora.

This symposium brought together leading physicists, computer scientists, astronomers, technologists, entrepreneurs, policy makers, conservationists, and leaders to engage in events, conversations, and collaborations to imagine the future of science and technology in the Caribbean. The symposium synergized conversations, collaboration, and networking, to create new bridges and opportunities between Caribbean scientists, students, and the larger scientific community. One of the aims of the symposium has been to create a hub for relevant science, including radio astronomy, in the region with collaboration between scholars around the world and Caribbean academics—that we should all rise together.

Professor Shirin Haque, of the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, helped coordinate this meeting. Haque did her Ph.D. degree with UWI and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville under an IDB fellowship, and has been a longtime collaborator with NRAO. UWI and NRAO work together to share programs providing access and training in radio astronomy to underrepresented individuals, including the Radio Astronomy Data Imaging and Analysis Lab (RADIAL) program and the NINE program. To date nine UWI undergraduates have gotten into the RADIAL program, including three this year.

The symposium was the brainchild of Trinidadian diaspora Professor Stephon Alexander of Brown University, chief strategist Everard Findlay of EIME Corp in the USA, and Professor Shirin Haque of UWI as the local chair, with the generous support from the Simons Foundation to UWI.

Learn more about this symposium here.

The post NRAO Supports International Symposium for the Future of Science in the Caribbean appeared first on National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

Protecting ALMA’s Skies

Protecting ALMA’s Skies

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), renowned for observing the cosmos’s darkest and most distant corners, has taken a step to ensure its observations remain unaffected by human-made interference.

At the heart of ALMA’s exceptional capabilities lies its extensive frequency range, spanning from 35 GHz to 950 GHz in ten distinct frequency bands. This comprehensive range is vital for ALMA’s mission to unlock the Universe’s secrets. However, it also exposes the observatory to potential RFI from both terrestrial and space-based sources.

A recently concluded study, led by senior radio frequency (RF) engineer and Spectrum Manager Giorgio Siringo, alongside ALMA Director Sean Dougherty, presents an extensive analysis of the current and future challenges of radio frequency interference (RFI) to ALMA’s operations. This white paper, “ALMA Spectrum and Radio Frequency Interference,” meticulously identifies vulnerabilities from sources of interference and proposes robust mitigation measures to safeguard ALMA’s valuable observations.

The ALMA Spectrum Management Office is collaborating in Chile with the Radio Sub-Committee of the Light Pollution Working Group of the Chilean Astronomical Society (SoChiAs) and the Chilean Low-Earth Orbit Satellites Group (CLEOsat), internationally with the Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference (CPS) of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), with the National Radio Dynamic Zones (NRDZ) initiative of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) of the USA, and with the Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies (CRAF) of the European Science Foundation (ESF), and participating in the preparatory meetings for the WRC-27 of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Read more at the Joint ALMA Observatory website. 

The post Protecting ALMA’s Skies appeared first on National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

ALMA Reveals Jupiter’s Moon Io has been Volcanically Active for Billions of Years

ALMA Reveals Jupiter’s Moon Io has been Volcanically Active for Billions of Years

Jupiter’s moon Io is the most volcanically active place in the solar system. During its 1.8-day orbit, this moon is gravitationally squeezed by Jupiter, leading to volcanic eruptions larger than any on Earth today.

Io, Europa, and Ganymede are in an orbital configuration known as a Laplace resonance: for every orbit of Ganymede (the farthest of the three from Jupiter), Europa completes exactly two orbits, and Io completes exactly four. In this configuration, the moons pull on each other gravitationally in such a way that they are forced into elliptical, rather than round, orbits. Such orbits allow Jupiter’s gravity to heat the moons’ interiors, causing Io’s volcanism and adding heat to the subsurface liquid ocean on icy Europa.

How long has Io been experiencing volcanic upheaval? In other words, how long have Jupiter’s moons been in this configuration?

To discover the answer, researchers utilized the ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array) telescope in Chile—a telescope that is itself surrounded by volcanoes—to measure sulfur isotopes on Io.

Read the full press release from Caltech.

The post ALMA Reveals Jupiter’s Moon Io has been Volcanically Active for Billions of Years appeared first on National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

The Very Large Array to Host Spring Open House Event on April 20, 2024

The Very Large Array to Host Spring Open House Event on April 20, 2024

The U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO) is thrilled to invite the public to the Very Large Array (VLA) Spring Open House event on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Located in Socorro, New Mexico, this free event offers an exciting opportunity for visitors to explore the iconic VLA and engage with leading scientists and engineers from NRAO.

The VLA Spring Open House promises a day filled with enriching experiences, including guided tours, captivating talks, educational activities, and a variety of local food options. Visitors will have the chance to interact with NRAO staff, who will be on-site throughout the day to provide insights and answer questions about the VLA and its groundbreaking research.

The event will feature engaging presentations by NRAO staff speakers throughout the day:

– Dave Finley will delve into the fascinating History of VLA.

– Chris Carilli will enlighten attendees with a talk on ngVLA (next generation Very Large Array).

– Paul Demorest will share insights about nanoGRAV, an innovative research initiative.

 

Guided tours, led by NRAO scientist and engineer volunteers, will be offered every half hour between 9:30 am and 3:00 pm, providing visitors with an immersive behind-the-scenes look at the VLA’s operations and capabilities.

In addition to the educational programs, attendees can enjoy a variety of food options from local vendors, including:

 

The Wandering Scorpion  https://roaminghunger.com/the-wandering-scorpion/ 

Red Wagon Coffee Truck  https://www.facebook.com/RedWagonCoffeeCompany/ 

Rosie’s Burgers and More

Chavez Food Truck

 

For those interested in hands-on learning, educational activities such as sunspot observation, H-alpha telescope viewing, and solar bead crafts will be available, offering a unique and interactive experience for visitors of all ages.

As the event takes place outdoors, attendees are advised to dress appropriately for the weather and bring sunscreen and plenty of water. In the event of adverse weather conditions, activities will be moved indoors to the visitor’s center to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for all.

Admission to the VLA Spring Open House is free, but advance tickets are required. To secure your spot and learn more about the event, please visit the official event page at https://public.nrao.edu/event/very-large-array-spring-open-house-2024/.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to explore the wonders of the Very Large Array and engage with the world-renowned scientists driving groundbreaking discoveries in radio astronomy. We look forward to welcoming you to the VLA Spring Open House on April 20th!

 

About NRAO

NRAO is a facility of the National Science Foundation, operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact: 

NRAO Media Contact

Corrina C. Jaramillo Feldman
Public Information Officer – New Mexico
VLA, VLBA, ngVLA
Tel: +1 505-366-7267
[email protected]

 

Event Details:

Date: April 20, 2024  

Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm  

Location: Very Large Array, Socorro, NM  

Admission: Free (Advance tickets required)  

Tickets can be found HERE: https://nraoepo.ticketapp.org/portal/product/20?_gl=1*3d2rux*_ga*MTExNzUzNTEwNC4xNzA1NDMxMDg2*_ga_2PHM2Y21WB*MTcxMTYzMjU1OS40Ny4xLjE3MTE2MzI2NTQuMjkuMC4w

The event link can be found HERE: https://public.nrao.edu/event/very-large-array-spring-open-house-2024/

 

The post The Very Large Array to Host Spring Open House Event on April 20, 2024 appeared first on National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

Associated Universities, Inc. and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory celebrate success of Chilean students in pursuit of STEM careers

Associated Universities, Inc. and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory celebrate success of Chilean students in pursuit of STEM careers

Atacama Desert, Chile – February 2024 – The U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO) and Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) are proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of two local students, Iris and Camila, as they embark on their journeys into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers.

Iris and Camila, both 19 years old and natives of San Pedro de Atacama, have been integral parts of the AUI and NSF NRAO initiative PROVOCA (PROmote + VOCAtions), which which seeks to promote, guide, accompany and retain female talent in STEM. Their involvement in PROVOCA, spanning from its inception to their recent participation in the mentorship program in 2023, has been transformative, leading them on paths they never imagined.

Initially aspiring to pursue careers in medicine, Iris and Camila discovered new horizons through their engagement with PROVOCA. The mentorship program provided them with exposure to various STEM disciplines, igniting a passion for fields they had never considered before. Iris has chosen to pursue biology, while Camila is venturing into engineering, with a focus on aerospace engineering.

The transition from their hometown of San Pedro to prestigious universities in Santiago and Concepción marks a significant milestone, not only for Iris and Camila but also for their families. As the first members of their families to attend college, they are blazing trails and inspiring future generations in their community.

PROVOCA’s mentorship program played a pivotal role in Iris and Camila’s journey, guiding them through self-discovery and empowering them to redefine their career aspirations. By providing a supportive environment for exploration and growth, PROVOCA enabled them to articulate their motivations and confidently pursue their true passions in STEM.

AUI and NSF NRAO recognize Iris and Camila’s achievements as emblematic of PROVOCA’s mission to nurture STEM talent at the grassroots level. Their stories exemplify the transformative power of mentorship and the importance of early exposure to diverse STEM opportunities.

“We firmly believe that when students embark on a journey of exploration and self-discovery from an early age, their STEM identity is strengthened, setting a solid foundation for their future endeavors,” said Sonia Duffau, Outreach and Diversity Officer for AUI and NSF NRAO in Chile. “Iris and Camila’s success stories inspire us all and reaffirm our commitment to fostering STEM excellence in our community.”

As Iris and Camila embark on their academic pursuits, ALMA Observatory joins NSF NRAO and AUI in this celebration, as it contributes 9 out of the 51 mentors of the PROVOCA program, and extends its best wishes for their continued success and looks forward to witnessing their future accomplishments in the dynamic world of STEM.

 

About AUI

Associated Universities, Inc. (AUl) is a non-profit organization that collaborates with the scientific community to plan, build and operate cutting-edge facilities, including Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCS).

About ALMA & NRAO

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), an international astronomy facility, is a partnership of the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO), the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS) of Japan in cooperation with the Republic of Chile. ALMA is funded by ESO on behalf of its Member States, by NSF in cooperation with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) of Taiwan  and by NINS in cooperation with the Academia Sinica (AS) in Taiwan and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI).

ALMA operations are led by ESO on behalf of its Member States; by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), managed by Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI), on behalf of North America; and by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) on behalf of East Asia. The Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO) provides the unified leadership and management of the construction, commissioning and operation of ALMA.

NRAO is a facility of the National Science Foundation, operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact: 

NRAO Media Contact

Corrina C. Jaramillo Feldman
Public Information Officer – New Mexico
VLA, VLBA, ngVLA
Tel: +1 505-366-7267
[email protected]

The post Associated Universities, Inc. and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory celebrate success of Chilean students in pursuit of STEM careers appeared first on National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

Stellar Explosions and Cosmic Chemistry

Stellar Explosions and Cosmic Chemistry

Astronomers have discovered the secrets of a starburst galaxy producing new stars at a rate much faster than our Milk Way. This research revealed many different molecules, more than ever seen before in a galaxy like this.

This international research team used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to observe the center of starburst galaxy NGC 253. Through ALMA’s high sensitivity and angular resolution, the team detected over one hundred molecular species in NGC 253, far more than previously observed in galaxies beyond the Milky Way.

This research was assembled from several papers from the ALMA Comprehensive High-resolution Extragalactic Molecular Inventory (ALCHEMI),a large program led by Sergio Martín of the European Southern Observatory/Joint ALMA Observatory, Nanase Harada of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, and Jeff Mangum of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

The astronomers found that the center of NGC 253 has a lot of dense gas, which helps make stars. This molecular gas is more than ten times as dense as the gas found in the center of our own Milky Way galaxy. Astronomers also discovered an abundance of complex organic molecules around regions of active star formation. When clouds of gas collide, they create shock waves that make certain molecules easier to see with telescopes like ALMA. The ALCHEMI survey expanded the molecular species atlas outside the Milky Way, doubling the number of identified species.

By employing machine learning, astronomers identified molecules effectively tracing various stages of star formation. This research also observed enhanced species like H3O+ and HOC+ in developed starburst regions, indicating energy output from massive stars, which could inhibit future star formation. NGC 253 has had a lot of stars explode as supernovae, and these powerful bursts of energy make it harder for gas to come together to form new stars.

The ALCHEMI survey provided an atlas of 44 molecular species. By applying a machine-learning technique to this atlas, the researchers were able to identify which molecules are present at specific stages of star formation. Identifying tracers can help guide future ALMA observations, particularly with the anticipated wideband sensitivity upgrade. This upgrade, outlined in the ALMA 2030 Development roadmap, will allow for the simultaneous tracking of multiple tracer molecules, further advancing astronomers understanding of how stars form.

The post Stellar Explosions and Cosmic Chemistry appeared first on National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

Astronomers Unveil Strong Magnetic Fields Spiraling at the Edge of Milky Way’s Central Black Hole

Astronomers Unveil Strong Magnetic Fields Spiraling at the Edge of Milky Way’s Central Black Hole

The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration has observed spirals of light escaping from the edge of the supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way Galaxy. Seen in polarized light for the first time, this new view of Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) has revealed a structure strikingly similar to that of the black hole at the center of the M87 galaxy, suggesting that strong magnetic fields may be common to all black holes. This similarity also hints toward a hidden jet in Sgr A*. The results were published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) helped astronomers to discover this new finding. ALMA is the world’s most powerful millimeter/ submillimeter telescope, and an important instrument for the EHT. The spiraling light at the heart of this research is actually made up of radio waves—light that can’t be seen by the human eye or optical telescopes, but can be observed by the many radio telescopes, including ALMA, working together across the EHT.

Scientists unveiled the first image of Sgr A*—which is approximately 27,000 light-years away from Earth—in 2022, revealing that while the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole is more than a thousand times smaller and less massive than M87’s, it looks remarkably similar. This made scientists wonder whether the two shared common traits outside of their looks. To find out, the team decided to study Sgr A* in polarized light. Previous studies of light around M87* revealed that the magnetic fields around the black hole giant allowed it to launch powerful jets of material back into the surrounding environment. Building on this work, the new images have revealed that the same may be true for Sgr A*.

Read more at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, USA.

About the EHT

The EHT collaboration involves more than 300 researchers from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America. The international collaboration is working to capture the most detailed black hole images ever obtained by creating a virtual Earth-sized telescope. Supported by considerable international investment, the EHT links existing telescopes using novel systems — creating a fundamentally new instrument with the highest angular resolving power that has yet been achieved.

The individual telescopes involved in the EHT in April 2017, when the observations were conducted, were: the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), the Atacama Pathfinder EXperiment (APEX), the Institut de Radioastronomie Millimetrique (IRAM) 30-meter Telescope, the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT), the Large Millimeter Telescope Alfonso Serrano (LMT), the Submillimeter Array (SMA), the UArizona Submillimeter Telescope (SMT), the South Pole Telescope (SPT). Since then, the EHT has added the Greenland Telescope (GLT), the IRAM NOrthern Extended Millimeter Array (NOEMA) and the UArizona 12-meter Telescope on Kitt Peak to its network.

The EHT consortium consists of 13 stakeholder institutes: the Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, the University of Arizona, the University of Chicago, the East Asian Observatory, Goethe-Universitaet Frankfurt, Institut de Radioastronomie Millimétrique, Large Millimeter Telescope, Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, MIT Haystack Observatory, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Radboud University and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

About ALMA & NRAO

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), an international astronomy facility, is a partnership of the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO), the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS) of Japan in cooperation with the Republic of Chile. ALMA is funded by ESO on behalf of its Member States, by NSF in cooperation with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and by NINS in cooperation with the Academia Sinica (AS) in Taiwan and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI).

ALMA construction and operations are led by ESO on behalf of its Member States; by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), managed by Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI), on behalf of North America; and by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) on behalf of East Asia. The Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO) provides the unified leadership and management of the construction, commissioning and operation of ALMA.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a facility of the National Science Foundation, operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

The post Astronomers Unveil Strong Magnetic Fields Spiraling at the Edge of Milky Way’s Central Black Hole appeared first on National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

Radio Observations of Compact Symmetric Objects Shed New Light on Black Hole Phenomenon

Radio Observations of Compact Symmetric Objects Shed New Light on Black Hole Phenomenon

Compact Symmetric Objects (CSOs) have long puzzled astronomers with their unique characteristics. These active galaxies harbor supermassive black holes that emit powerful jets traveling at near-light speeds in opposite directions. However, unlike their counterparts in other galaxies, these jets remain compact, not extending out to great distances as expected. For decades, scientists presumed that CSOs were youthful entities, with their jets destined to expand over time.

This illustration shows how Compact Symmetric Objects, or CSOs, likely form. When a single, massive star wanders too close to a black hole (left), it is devoured and this causes the black hole to shoot out an ultrafast, bipolar jet (center). The jet extends outward and its hot ends glow with radio emissions (right). Image Credit: B. Saxton/NRAO/AUI/NSF

New findings, published in three papers in The Astrophysical Journal, challenge this notion. The Caltech-led team, spearheaded by Anthony (Tony) Readhead, Robinson Professor of Astronomy, Emeritus, discovered that CSOs have relatively short lifespans. Through an exhaustive review of literature and observations, the team identified over 3,000 CSO candidates, confirming 64 as authentic CSOs and recognizing 15 new candidates. These objects were previously observed by the U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO)’s Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), renowned for its unparalleled resolution.

The studies, funded by NSF, NASA, Caltech, and the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Bonn, Germany, mark a significant step forward in understanding the dynamic processes shaping our universe. Read the full Caltech release HERE and view NRAO’s scientific visualization animation HERE.

 

About NRAO

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation, operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact: 

NRAO Media Contact

Corrina C. Jaramillo Feldman
Public Information Officer – New Mexico
VLA, VLBA, ngVLA
Tel: +1 505-366-7267
[email protected]

The post Radio Observations of Compact Symmetric Objects Shed New Light on Black Hole Phenomenon appeared first on National Radio Astronomy Observatory.