
Gallery


Magnetic Orion

Magnetic Orion
An Astrophysical Journal paper presenting data obtained with SOFIA’s HAWC+ camera was highlighted by being chosen for NASA’s “Astronomy Picture of the Day” on February 27th. Professor Giles Novak and CIERA visiting scholar Marc Berthoud led the development of the data pipeline for HAWC+. The lead author of the paper is Professor David Chuss of Villanova
NASA, SOFIA, D. Chuss et al. & ESO, M. McCaughrean et al.

Unveiling the Universe’s Dark Mysteries Through Random Walks – Miaotianzi Jin
Unveiling the Universe’s Dark Mysteries Through Random Walks – Miaotianzi Jin
Physics & Astronomy graduate student, Miaotianzi Jin, presents on his research as part of RSG Research Communication program.
- Education,
- Science

Whispers of the Universe – Eve Chase
Whispers of the Universe – Eve Chase
CIERA graduate student, Eve Chase, presents on her research as part of RSG Research Communication program.
- Education,
- Science

Press Conference: “Astronomers Have a Cow”
Press Conference: “Astronomers Have a Cow”
233rd Meeting of the American Astronomical Society, Seattle, WA Thursday, 10 January 2019
- Science

Katrin Heitmann; Interdisciplinary Colloquium Recording

Beth Willman; Interdisciplinary Colloquium Recording
Beth Willman; Interdisciplinary Colloquium Recording
Dr. Beth Willman, Deputy Director of the National Center for Optical-Infrared Astronomy, continued CIERA’s Interdisciplinary Colloquia series this November in presenting her talk, The Most Magnificent Map Ever Made. Hosted by CIERA director, Vicky Kalogera, Dr. Willman’s talk discussed the mission of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) and how it is possible for the
Dr. Beth Willman / CIERA
- Interdisciplinary,
- Science

AT2018cow

AT2018cow
An image of AT2018cow and its host galaxy obtained on August 17, 2018 using W. M. Keck Observatory’s instrument, the DEep Imaging and Multi-Object Spectrograph (DEIMOS). Learn more: Birth of a Black Hole or Neutron Star Captured for First Time
R. MARGUTTI/W. M. KECK OBSERVATORY

“Galactic Bloom” by Zach Hafen and Alex Gurvich

“Galactic Bloom” by Zach Hafen and Alex Gurvich
This cosmic flower was not grown in nature, but by astrophysicists using supercomputers. At the center of the flower, a simulated galaxy shines in bright yellow. The galaxy is surrounded by multi- colored petals, representing different origins and consisting of many smaller lines; each is a record of the path of matter through space. Simulations
Alex Gurvich and Zach Hafen, Department of Physics and Astronomy and Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration & Research in Astrophysics (CIERA)
- Interdisciplinary,
- Achievement

Gravitational Wave Astronomy with Christopher Berry
Gravitational Wave Astronomy with Christopher Berry
Dr. Christopher Berry, a gravitational wave astronomer of CIERA and the LIGO scientific collaboration, presents his research in a public lecture. The lecture discusses gravitational waves and their detection, black holes, and Dr.Berry’s research. – – – Visit Christopher Berry’s website: www.cplberry.com
Christopher Berry / CIERA
- Outreach,
- Science,
- Event,
- Education

Kavli Fulldome Lecture Series: The Cosmos in a Heartbeat
Kavli Fulldome Lecture Series: The Cosmos in a Heartbeat
The length of a human life barely registers on the scale of cosmic time. In spite of our relatively tiny size and our limited time here on Earth, a single generation of humans can take giant leaps forward in our understanding of the Universe. Join us to find out how dramatically our story of the
The Kavli Foundation / Adler Planetarium

CIERA’s 10th Annual Public Lecture, “The NU Astronomy of Stars, Black Holes, and Cosmic Explosions”
CIERA’s 10th Annual Public Lecture, “The NU Astronomy of Stars, Black Holes, and Cosmic Explosions”
CIERA’s 10th annual public lecture was presented October 11, 2018 by director Vicky Kalogera. Kalogera’s talk–a glimpse into the years of fascinating work conducted by CIERA–highlighted key discoveries and what they mean for the future of astronomy. Kalogera discussed the lives of stars, how their influence on the Cosmos has changed in the recent decade,
CIERA / Northwestern
- Event,
- Interdisciplinary

How Do You Detect a Black Hole? LIGO and the Measurement of Gravitational Waves
How Do You Detect a Black Hole? LIGO and the Measurement of Gravitational Waves
Black holes may hold the key to understanding the most fundamental truths of the universe, but how do you see something that’s, well, black? Astronomers think they have the answer. Thanks to a global array of radio telescopes that turn the Earth into a giant receiver, we may soon have the first picture of the
World Science Festival

Vicky Kalogera: Discovering the Sounds of Black Holes
Vicky Kalogera: Discovering the Sounds of Black Holes
Filmed at the Chicago History Museum as part of The Phi Betta Kappa Society’s (En)Lightning Talks Chicago event series. Vicky Kalogera is a professor at Northwestern University, and the co-founder and director of CIERA.
The Phi Beta Kappa Society
- Education,
- Event,
- Science,
- Outreach

TCN Panel on Space: Vicky Kalogera on Gravitational Waves
TCN Panel on Space: Vicky Kalogera on Gravitational Waves
CIERA director Vicky Kalogera discusses her work and the recent discovery of evidence of the existence of gravitational waves in the universe.
The Chicago Network
- Science,
- Event,
- Achievement,
- Education,
- Outreach

Northwestern University Experts Explain Discovery of Gravitational Waves
Northwestern University Experts Explain Discovery of Gravitational Waves
Northwestern
- Education,
- Science,
- Achievement

NSF Panel for First Cosmic Event seen in Gravitational Waves and Light
NSF Panel for First Cosmic Event seen in Gravitational Waves and Light
LIGO – Virgo discovery marks first cosmic event observed in both gravitational waves and light. Announcement made at the National Press Club, Washington, DC. Panel with representatives from various telescopes, begins at 51:21 (Please note that Marica Branchesi’s institutional affiliation is incorrectly indicated in the video. The correct affiliation for Dr. Branchesi is Gran Sasso
NSF / LIGO-Virgo
- Science,
- Event,
- Education

Eccentric Black Hole Mergers in Globular Clusters
Eccentric Black Hole Mergers in Globular Clusters
This simulation shows a binary-binary encounter involving four black holes, which can occur at the cores of dense stellar systems such as gloublar clusters. Such encounters can lead to long-lived “resonating” interactions, through which many temporary binary systems are created. By incorporating a more accurate description of Einstein’s gravity in the equations of motion, the formation
Mike Zevin / Northwestern
- Science,
- Education