Ultracool dwarf binary stars break records
Astrophysicists discover the closest and oldest ultracool dwarf binary ever observed Northwestern University and the University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) astrophysicists...
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Surprise kilonova upends established understanding of long gamma-ray bursts
Long gamma-ray bursts can be generated by neutron star mergers, study finds For nearly two decades, astrophysicists have believed that long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs)...
Short gamma-ray bursts traced farther into distant universe
Most robust inventory to date catalogs SGRBs’ host galaxies, characteristics A Northwestern University-led team of astronomers has developed the most extensive inventory to date...
What makes gamma-ray bursts blink on and off?
The most energetic events in the universe have a strange habit of going silent mid-blast, stumping astrophysicists. But new simulations suggest a surprising answer....
Brightest-ever gamma-ray burst breaks records
Once-in-a-lifetime event was likely generated by a massive star collapse Affectionately referred to as the B.O.A.T. (“brightest of all time”), the powerful explosion occurred...
Northwestern astrophysicist contributes to Webb’s first exoplanet image
Jason Wang helped the team reveal the planet hidden behind its host star’s glare For the first time, a team of astronomers — including...
Stars determine their own masses
Simulations show why stars formed in different environments have similar masses Last year, a team of astrophysicists including key members from Northwestern University launched...
CIERA student’s paper highlighted by NASA’s SOFIA Science Center
Paper published by CIERA student chosen to be highlighted by NASA’s SOFIA Science Center Recently, NASA’s SOFIA Science Center highlighted a 2021 paper published...
Wandering star disrupts stellar nursery
Event provides new evidence that traveling stars can form binary systems From a zoomed out, distant view, star-forming cloud L483 appears normal. But when...
May 15 Lunar Eclipse Public Viewing
Northwestern students and Evanston residents gathered atop the South Campus Parking Garage Sunday May 15th, 2022 to view the total lunar eclipse of the...
CIERA Researchers Quoted in Sky & Telescope June Cover Story
CIERA Director Vicky Kalogera, Einstein Fellow Maya Fishbach, and Board of Visitors Research Assistant Professor Zoheyr Doctor have been featured in Sky & Telescope’s...
Dying Stars’ Cocoons Might Explain Fast Blue Optical Transients
Ever since they were discovered in 2018, fast blue optical transients (FBOTs) have utterly surprised and completely confounded both observational and theoretical astrophysicists. So...