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Astronomy

Up, up, and away
BLAST telescope with Mark Devlin and students

As the project manager of the $100 million Simons Observatory project, Devlin (center) is working to keep the numerous and disparate components of the project from falling behind due to pandemic-related shutdowns while recognizing that some delays and disruptions will be inevitable. His advice is to not “sweat the small stuff.” (Pre-pandemic image)

Up, up, and away

Mark Devlin and his team behind BLAST are about to embark on another scientific adventure in Antarctica, this time measuring how stars form in our galaxy.

Lauren Hertzler

Where do comets originate?
Data from Planck Satellite mapping Ort Clouds.

A map of the sky at 545 GHz from the Planck satellite. Credit: Planck/ESA and NASA, IPAC Infrared Science Archive.

Where do comets originate?

A new technique developed by team of Penn astronomers may allow the scientists to measure radiation from celestial bodies that are only theorized to exist.

Penn Today Staff , Erica K. Brockmeier

Astronomers discover second-closest know exoplanet

Astronomers discover second-closest know exoplanet

The School of Arts and Sciences’ Cullen Blake weighed in on the identification of an earth-like exoplanet called Barnard’s Star b. Blake said that while the data used to locate it may be muddied by nearby stellar activity, the exoplanet has been observed enough times to be a strong planetary candidate.

Physicist theorizes that dark matter is a superfluid
Physicist theorizes that dark matter is a superfluid

Physicist theorizes that dark matter is a superfluid

A hypothesis by Justin Khoury of the Department of Physics and Astronomy stands to shake up how scientists consider dark matter.

Jacob Williamson-Rea

Looking to the stars
stargazing 2

As part of the annual Simons Observatory Collaboration conference, Penn held a Community Astronomy Night in David Rittenhouse laboratory that included a panel, a mixer with astronomers, and stargazing. Credit: Eric Sucar 

Looking to the stars

This year's Simons Observatory Collaboration conference included a community star party that consisted of a panel, a mixer with astronomers, and stargazing.

Ali Sundermier

Detecting distant stars: Q&A with Jose Maria Diego and Jesus Vega
hubble_icarus_image

Photo courtesty of NASA, ESA, and P. Kelly (University of Minnesota)

Detecting distant stars: Q&A with Jose Maria Diego and Jesus Vega

While observing an exploding star in a galaxy cluster billions of light-years away, two visiting scholars noticed a curious speck of light in their images. The light was from an ancient star more than 9 billion years ago, the most distant star ever detected.

Ali Sundermier

Astronomical find
Penn Libraries curator Nicholas Herman with medieval manuscript.

A medieval manuscript recently acquired by the Penn Libraries contains six working volvelles, discs of parchment and paper that demonstrate the science of astronomy.

Astronomical find

Penn Libraries has acquired a rare astronomical treatise dated 1481, with unique diagrams in the margins, and original discs of parchment that turn to demonstrate the movement of the sun, moon, and planets.

Louisa Shepard

A long time ago, from an explosion far, far away

A long time ago, from an explosion far, far away

An international team of astronomers, including Penn researchers, has confirmed the discovery of the most distant supernova ever detected, a huge cosmic explosion that took place 10.5 billion years ago.

Ali Sundermier

Astronomers reveal secrets of most distant supernova ever detected

Astronomers reveal secrets of most distant supernova ever detected

An international team of astronomers, including researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, has confirmed the discovery of the most distant supernova ever detected, a huge cosmic explosion that took place 10.5 billion years ago.

Ali Sundermier