Planet Formation, Planet Dynamics, Protoplanetary Disks
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle (SSC)
Since the discovery of the first exoplanet just over twenty years ago, the study of exoplanets has grown explosively. By now, astronomers have discovered thousands of exoplanets, with an incredibly diverse array of properties. This growth will undoubtedly continue into the future, as new kinds of planets are being observed with increasingly advanced telescopes. Faculty in CIERA study exoplanets theoretically and build instruments to directly image them.
Research at CIERA
The groups of Professors Rasio and Lithwick carry out theoretical work and simulations to study the long-term dynamics of planetary systems. Both groups study the chaotic dynamics of multi-planet systems as they evolve. Professor Rasio’s group also studies planet-planet interactions, star-planet interactions and tidal disruptions, and planets in binary star systems.
Professor Ulmer’s group is developing new infrared camera technology to advance our understanding of planetary systems by directly imaging planets around other stars.
Opportunities
Deadline: 11:59pm, February 15, 2021
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN ASTRONOMY/ ASTROPHYSICS The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Northwestern University invites applications for a new full time faculty position in astronomy and astrophysics, as part of a major expansion in this area over the coming years. We seek outstanding individuals in observation/instrumentation or computation/theory who will complement and expand the current
Deadline: 11:59pm, February 17, 2021
The Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA, https://ciera.northwestern.edu/) at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois is looking for a motivated Computational Specialist who will actively engage in and support the computational research activities carried out in the center. The position will be at the level of a junior staff scientist; the appointment will initially be for 2
Deadline: 11:59pm, March 15, 2021
REACH (Research Experiences in Astronomy at CIERA for High School Students) is a highly interactive, 3-week program (with an optional 3-week extension) that provides high school students experience with astronomy research in an atmosphere of team-style learning, hands-on training, and mentorship from professional scientists. Students enrolled in the program engage in astronomy research projects with CIERA astronomers.
News
Gallery
Great Conjunction 2020
Great Conjunction 2020
PhD student Newlin Weatherford, who holds the Riedel Family Graduate Fellowship at CIERA, captured the Great Conjunction (“Christmas Star”) of Jupiter and Saturn on December 21, 2020 at 6:20 pm PT from Novato, California. Using his Panasonic DZ1000, Newlin wasn’t able to resolve Saturn’s rings, but we can see Callisto and Io and many faint
Newlin Weatherford, Northwestern CIERA
BLAST-TNG
BLAST-TNG
Balloon-borne Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope – The Next Generation (BLAST-TNG) BLAST is a 5,000 pound balloon-borne telescope bound for the stratosphere over Antarctica, to search for the origins of stars and planets. This photo was taken by graduate student Paul Williams in the summer of 2018 in Palestine, Texas at the Columbia Scientific Ballooning Facility.
Gabriele Coppi / University of Pennsylvania
Balloons Above Antarctica: The Coolest Place to Put a Telescope
Balloons Above Antarctica: The Coolest Place to Put a Telescope
Northwestern Physics and Astronomy student Paul Williams presents a talk as part of the Northwestern Ready Set Go (RSG) program. The goals of the program are to increase awareness for the urgent need for excellent research communicators and to coach graduate and post doctoral researchers to improve their own presentation skills. The program focuses on three important
Northwestern's RSG Program
Highlights from Cosmos in Concert
Highlights from Cosmos in Concert
Developed by astronomer and musician Kyle Kremer, Cosmos in Concert brings together astronomy and live classical music to entertain and educate audiences. Through multimedia shows, in-school residencies, and public outreach events, Cosmos in Concert introduces a new platform for science education and outreach. Cosmos in Concert
Kyle Kremer / Northwestern
The Late Evolution of Our Solar System
The Late Evolution of Our Solar System
This movie, Life of the Pleiades, was generated from an interactive visualization that Aaron Geller developed with Mark SubbaRao using Uniview. The interactive version can be shown on a planetarium dome, or rendered into a movie (as shown here). A 3D version of this movie exists in the Space Visualization Lab at the Adler Planetarium.
Created by A. M. Geller and M. SubbaRao, using Uniview; music, narration and audio by A. M. Geller; dynamical calculation with stellar evolution performed using the NBODY6 code.
NBC Chicago 2017 Solar Eclipse
NBC Chicago 2017 Solar Eclipse
Postdoctoral researcher Deanne Coppejans was the Northwestern media contact for the 2017 total solar eclipse. Here she is describing the science of the eclipse on NBC Chicago.
NBC Chicago
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