Astronomy Archives - Faculty of Science

91��ɫ U joins elite international astronomy team to research secrets of the universe

abanerj7 — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 14:03:51 +0000

91��ɫ will play a leading role in a new national program supporting Canada’s first-ever Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Scientists – a program that funds early-career astronomers contributing to an international radio astronomy research initiative.

Announced by the National Research Council Canada (NRC), the Canadian SKA Scientist Program supports future leaders in conducting cutting-edge research to explore some of the universe’s biggest mysteries.

Fengqiu (Adam) Dong will conduct advanced research on radio pulsars in 91��ɫ’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Science, as part of the Canadian SKA Scientist Program.

^{Paul Scholz}

^{Adam Dong}

Dong, currently a National Radio Astronomy Observatory Jansky Fellow at the U.S.-based Green Bank Observatory, completed his PhD at the University of British Columbia.

Dong’s research focuses on pulsars – dense, rotating remnants of massive stars that emit rhythmic bursts of radiation. At 91��ɫ, he will work with mentor Paul Scholz, assistant professor in the Department of Physic and Astronomy, whose work explores pulsars, magnetars and fast radio bursts – brief, powerful flashes of radio waves from beyond our galaxy.

Together, they will contribute to the global Square Kilometre Array (SKA) initiative over a term of three to five years.

"I'm honoured and excited to play a role in bringing Canada to the forefront of this once-in-a-lifetime instrument,” says Dong. “SKA is the future of radio astronomy for the next decade. It will revolutionize our understanding of the universe, much like the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes have done for optical and infrared astronomy."

The SKA is an international effort to build the world’s largest radio telescope arrays, with facilities in South Africa and Australia. Once operational, the SKA Observatory (SKAO) is expected to transform understanding of the universe. Canada is one of the project’s member countries, represented by the NRC and supported through national partnerships with universities and researchers.

“The Canadian SKA Scientists will be the future leaders in the revolutionary science that will come out of the SKA,” says Scholz. “In his role, Adam will enhance and broaden the radio astronomy expertise at 91��ɫ and significantly bolster our involvement in the SKA.”

Canadian SKA Scientist participants receive mentorship from both a university-based expert and the NRC, with the goal of building a national network of researchers contributing to the SKA.

According to NRC program lead Michael Rupen, the initiative is designed to support early-career scientists while ensuring Canadian researchers have equitable access to SKA science. Dong joins Alice Curtin, a PhD candidate at McGill University, as the first two researchers selected for the program.

A second call for applications is expected in fall 2025, with subsequent rounds to follow annually.

Courtesy of Yfile

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How a forgotten manuscript brought Canada’s radio astronomy story to light

abanerj7 — Fri, 23 May 2025 12:39:50 +0000

When 91��ɫ natural science Professor Richard Jarrell died suddenly in 2013, he left behind an unfinished manuscript and a box of tapes – a chronicle of how Canada found its place in the world of radio astronomy, the study of using massive antennas to tune in to the universe’s faintest signals.

For years, the story remained incomplete, its pages gathering dust.

Richard Jarrell

That changed only recently, when astronomer Elizabeth Griffin took on the task of finishing what Jarrell had started. “Richard had a vision for telling the story of Canadian radio astronomy. He’d done the interviews, gathered the research, but the narrative was still waiting to be shaped,” says Griffin, who is internationally recognized for her research on binary stars and her efforts to preserve historic astronomical data.

With support from his wife, Martha Jarrell, and colleagues from across Canada’s astronomical community, Griffin pieced together the book Richard never got to finish. The result, (Springer Nature, December 2024), documents how Canadian radio astronomy grew from one physicist’s research into a field of international prominence – grounded in Richard's meticulous research and first-hand accounts from pioneers in the field.

Martha Jarrell, who has acted as steward of her husband’s archival legacy, says his passion for science was inseparable from his daily life. She describes how, as a child, Richard devoured astronomy magazines in German, wrote and sold his own astronomy book door-to-door, and painted constellations in phosphorescent paint on his bedroom ceiling.

Later in life, he brought home telescopes from 91��ɫ – where he was a professor in the Faculty of Science – to share the night sky with his sons, built model Apollo capsules for them to play in and turned family hikes into lessons in botany and geology. “During road trips and other outings, he explained the geological origins of road cuts and bodies of water,” she says. “He gave talks to schools, Scouts, environmental groups and other public groups.”

His passion for history was just as present. Museum visits, cemetery explorations and family history research became shared adventures. Born in 1946, Richard traced his family roots in the neighbouring northeastern Ontario communities of Cobalt and Haileybury, where his great-grandmother died in the Great Fire of 1922. Inspired by stories from his own father, who served in the Second World War, he helped his elder son build a model of the USS South Dakota, a celebrated American battleship. Alongside these family pursuits, Richard was also active in his community, volunteering on local committees in Markham and supporting efforts to preserve local history and promote Canadian science.

At 91��ɫ, Richard's influence was wide-ranging. He designed and taught courses that bridged astronomy, science, technology and society. He co-founded the Canadian Science and Technology Historical Association, edited its journal and played a key role in building the field of Canadian science history. His publication record – two monographs, eight edited volumes, more than 80 chapters and articles – was matched by his commitment to teaching and mentoring. “He worked with 91��ɫ faculty to turn the Science and Technology Studies Division into a department, the only undergraduate degree-granting program in Canada,” Martha says.

Richard's dedication to building Canadian science was evident in every aspect of his career, and it was this same dedication that guided the work left unfinished at his death. While completing Radio Astronomy in Canada without Richard's direct input was admittedly a challenge for Griffin, she credits the extensive interviews and research he left behind for helping bridge the gap between the perspective of research scientists and his broader, contextual approach to science history. The resulting book, Griffin observes, “shows how Canada’s proficiency developed from a one-man experiment to leadership in international projects – a story of growth, expertise and still more growth.”

Martha believes her late husband would be proud. “Based on his lifelong fascination with astronomy and being a champion of the importance of documenting its discoveries, he wanted people to learn about the wonder of the cosmos through the work of this lesser-known, younger sibling of optical astronomy.

"He’d feel grateful that his determination to educate Canadians about this country’s radio astronomical work had come to fruition.”

Courtesy of YFile

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Stargazing gets social: new partnership is changing astronomy at 91��ɫ

abanerj7 — Fri, 02 May 2025 13:03:02 +0000

This spring, 91��ɫ’s Allan I. Carswell Astronomical Observatory (AICO) is drawing record crowds – not just from students, but from across Toronto’s astronomy community.

The reason isn’t a rare celestial event, but a new partnership with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s Toronto Centre (RASCTO). For the first time, the observatory’s powerful one-metre telescope is open to RASC members and the public, marking a shift in how the University shares the night sky.

“We’re seeing new faces and new energy,” says observatory director Elaina Hyde, an associate professor in the Faculty of Science who notes that RASC members are now applying for telescope time and joining 91��ɫ-led public observing sessions at Downsview Park. The partnership, she says, is changing the atmosphere at 91��ɫ U – making astronomy more open and the conversations more lively.

The shift is especially apparent during 91��ɫ’s Recreational Astronomy Nights, a monthly event typically held on the first Wednesday of each month. Hosted in collaboration with RASC Toronto Centre, these sessions invite everyone – students, amateur astronomers and those who are simply curious – to gather in person or online for presentations, tutorials and hands-on demonstrations.

“Having the Recreational Astronomy Nights at 91��ɫ gives students an opportunity to meet RASC members who can communicate their enthusiasm for astronomy,” says Ralph Chou, executive officer for RASC Toronto Centre. He sees these monthly gatherings as “a form of citizen science that complements what the students are learning about in their classes.”

^{Elaina Hyde}

Once a niche campus event, Recreational Astronomy Night now draws a broader crowd and encourages deeper conversations about the cosmos. The next session, , will give the public a chance to experience this new dynamic firsthand, with RASC members and 91��ɫ astronomers sharing projects and tips in Room 317 of the Petrie Science Building, as well as online. After the meeting, visitors can join weekly public stargazing in 91��ɫ’s Arboretum – another example of how the partnership is making astronomy more accessible.

This approach reflects a broader trend in Canadian science outreach: making research infrastructure available to the public, even in urban environments where light pollution is a constant adversary. 91��ɫ’s advanced telescopes offer a rare, hands-on look at the night sky.

“The observatory’s facilities give the public a hands-on experience of looking at celestial objects with state-of-the-art equipment,” Chou says. “Even in the city, you can still make useful observations.”

That spirit of openness will be on full display at the 91��ɫ AICO Open Air Astro Fair, planned for the first clear night between June 24 and July 4. Running from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Keele Campus, the fair will feature solar observing, night sky viewing, planetarium shows, interactive booths and activities for all ages. RASC Toronto Centre will be on hand with telescopes for both solar and nighttime viewing, while 91��ɫ’s own astronomers will lead workshops and demonstrations throughout the evening.

As with any stargazing event, success will depend on the cooperation of the weather – a perennial challenge for astronomers in Toronto. For now, Hyde and Chou are watching the forecast – and the growing crowds – as 91��ɫ’s astronomy community looks upward.

Courtesy of Yfile

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Cosmic honour for 91��ɫ U astrophysicist

abanerj7 — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 13:20:14 +0000

In the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, an asteroid measuring up to 1.5 kilometres across quietly traces its orbit, tilted 15 degrees from the planetary plane.

This celestial body, officially named Marshall McCall, honours a 91��ɫ Faculty of Science professor emeritus whose research has illuminated the intricate structures of galaxies and their evolution.

^{Marshall McCall}

For McCall, the recognition carries personal significance. “I was deeply honoured,” he says. “The recognition makes me feel that my work in astronomy had some value.”

The initiative to name the asteroid was led by Canadian astronomers Paul Wiegert (a former postdoctoral fellow at 91��ɫ U) and David Balam, who sought to recognize McCall’s contributions to astronomy. “Marshall McCall’s research has had a lasting impact on our field,” says Balam, an asteroid hunter based in British Columbia who first encountered McCall’s work decades ago.

McCall’s fascination with the universe began on Vancouver Island, where he pursued an undergraduate degree at the University of Victoria before earning his PhD at the University of Texas at Austin. In 1988, he joined 91��ɫ’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, where he not only advanced research, but also helped shape academic programs that have inspired generations of astronomers.

Among those mentored by McCall was Wiegert, now a professor at Western University. “My time at 91��ɫ deeply shaped my career,” Wiegert says. “It’s a true pleasure for me to have been involved in naming an asteroid after Marshall McCall. This feels like a meaningful way to give back to that community.”

McCall’s scientific career is marked by discoveries that have revealed hidden gems in the cosmos. While studying galaxies whose light is obscured by interstellar dust within the Milky Way, McCall and Ronald Buta of the University of Alabama identified four previously unknown celestial objects. Named MB 1, MB 2, MB 3 and MB 4 – after their initials – the discoveries include two nearby galaxies (MB 1 and MB 3) located just 10 million light years away. MB 2, once thought to be a galaxy, turned out to be an unusual nebula within the Milky Way whose origin remains a puzzle. MB 4 is another nebula, likely formed from gas expelled during the birth of twin stars. “You never know what you will find when you penetrate the fog,” McCall says, capturing the thrill of exploring the unknown.

Building on his discovery of MB 1 and MB 3, McCall’s work mapping galaxies within 30 million light years of Earth uncovered larger patterns that reshaped how astronomers view the cosmic landscape. Among these findings, he confirmed that the Milky Way is embedded in a vast, flattened arrangement of galaxies known as the “Local Sheet,” a structure stretching 34 million light years across but only 1.5 million light years thick.

He also identified the “Council of Giants,” a ring of massive galaxies 24 million light years in diameter encircling the Milky Way and its companion Andromeda. These galaxies act as cosmic gatekeepers, siphoning intergalactic material away from the “Local Group” and limiting its ability to grow.

McCall’s work reflects a deep curiosity about the universe’s interconnected structures.

In a public lecture, he outlined how the Milky Way fits into the broader celestial arrangement: “We live on a planet around a star in a galaxy in the ‘Local Group,’ encompassed by the ‘Council of Giants of the Local Sheet’ next to the ‘Local Void’ at the periphery of the ‘Local Supercluster of Laniakea.’”

While these terms are technical, they describe how galaxies like ours are shaped by their surroundings – how gravitational forces and spatial patterns influence their evolution within the vast cosmic web.

For those who have worked alongside him or followed in his footsteps, McCall’s contributions transcend scientific achievements; they represent landmark discoveries that inspire further exploration and wonder. Now immortalized by an asteroid bearing his name, his legacy reaches beyond Earth into the cosmos he has spent his life studying.

“It is nice to feel that my efforts were not completely in vain and that there will be a memory of them up there when I am gone,” McCall says. “Most importantly, I feel privileged to have had even had this chance – to seek knowledge for its own sake as part of a society willing to enable such pursuits.”

McCall joins a distinguished group of 91��ɫ faculty members who have had asteroids named after them, including: Professor Emeritus Paul Delaney, Professor Michael Daly, Department of Earth & Space Science & Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering; Professor Patrick Hall, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Faculty of Science; the late Professor Emeritus Kim Innanen, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Faculty of Science; and the late Professor Richard Jarrell, Department of Science, Technology & Society, Faculty of Science.

Courtesy of YFile

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91��ɫ U prof makes astronomy history with largest-ever observation grant

abanerj7 — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 13:06:00 +0000

Adam Muzzin, a professor at 91��ɫ's Faculty of Science, is "over the moon" about making astronomy history.

Granted 260 primary hours and 127 parallel hours of observation time with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) – which is orbiting in space near the sun – means Muzzin is the recipient of the largest single program ever given to an observer. He will use the JWST to study the universe's most distant galaxies and the first stars – in order to enhance our understanding of cosmic history.

^{Adam Muzzin}

Muzzin knew the science from this program could be revolutionary if approved, but the size of his request made it a longshot. Securing any amount of time with the world’s most powerful telescope is highly competitive – only 10 per cent of applications are successful – and he was asking for nearly six times his previous allocation in 2023 to explore the depths of the universe.

His new request would expand on Muzzin and his team’s earlier researcher with JWST’s multi-colour imagery, which uses multiple filters to produce detailed and highly colorized images of distant galaxies, revealing cosmic objects previously hidden from traditional methods.

The previous project looked at three small pieces of the sky. The new one proposed to survey a much larger region of the sky – approximately 20 times larger – as long as the JWST time request panel agreed to it.

Then the news came.

"I almost fell out of my chair," Muzzin says. When he was informed of the approval, his cry of joy was so loud his graduate students came running down the hall outside his office to check if he was okay.

It was a milestone achivement.

With the new historic allocation – the largest JWST has ever given – Muzzin and his team will conduct an extensive astronomical survey with an eye towards, among other goals, capturing images of distant galaxies and uncovering the first stars that formed after the Big Bang.

^{James Webb Space Telescope (image by NASA)}

“They have to be out there, but we’ve never seen them,” says Muzzin. “This program gives us arguably our best shot at finding them.”

Detecting these stars is challenging because they lived in the early universe and had short lifespans. Muzzin’s program is uniquely positioned to discover these stars by capturing subtle color variations that indicate their presence. Identifying the stars, he says, will prove essential for understanding how the universe evolved, as they are the origin of all the heavier elements found today. “This is about uncovering the origin story of our galaxy, our sun and ultimately, humanity,” says Muzzin.

Muzzin is thrilled not just for the opportunity for himself and his team, but for the chance to produce important data for the wider scientific community. The JWST is part of a treasury program, which means any data Muzzin’s allocation produces will be made publicly available for future research long after the program’s completion. “That’s very gratifying,” he says.

But, it’s not just that. As a colleague told him: “A program of this size is really making astronomy history.”

Courtesy of YFile

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Faculty of Science prof launches 91��ɫ U’s first astronomy podcast

abanerj7 — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 19:45:23 +0000

Elaina Hyde, a professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy in 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Science and director of the Allan I. Carswell Observatory, has launched 91��ɫ’s first-ever podcast dedicated to astronomy.

Hyde’s existing Monday night audio program, “91��ɫ Universe” – already boasting an archive of more than 500 episodes as a radio show, internet program and YouTube broadcast – can now be found on all podcast-streaming platforms, further expanding its potential reach and impact. Listeners can join the Allan I. Carswell Observatory’s group of professors, students and alumni for an astronomical adventure, covering history, news and telescope-viewing insights.

^{Elaina Hyde}

“91��ɫ Universe” started in 2009 as an online radio show on astronomy.fm. When that station went off air in 2023, the show’s audio broadcast was incorporated into the Observatory’s online public viewing program on YouTube. Since radio shows have been reaching fewer and fewer members of the public, and podcasts have conversely risen in popularity, the Observatory realized offering the show in podcast format was the natural next step.

With a team of seven regular hosts and 10 repeating guests, the podcast covers topics including what the Observatory is up to, current research at 91��ɫ U and life on other planets. Some recent episodes have focused on retro rockets and spooky stars – a Halloween episode that coincided with the Observatory’s Halloween event.

“Since most of the hosts, cohosts and organizers of ‘91��ɫ Universe’ are current 91��ɫ students and Observatory alumni, it is a great chance for the community to share in the accomplishments of some of our most accomplished grads – and undergrads,” says Hyde. “The student perspective and knowledge included in the broadcasts offers a chance for everyone to join in the exciting Observatory discoveries and observations.”

All episodes of “91��ɫ Universe” are recorded live from the Allan I. Carswell Observatory on 91��ɫ’s Keele Campus, making it easy for students and researchers to join in person. Videoconferencing programs like Zoom make it possible to welcome guests from anywhere in the world.

Past guest speakers have included Blake Nancarrow from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (episode 512), and science communicators Emily Lakdawalla (episode 270), Sara Mazrouei (episode 124), David Levy (episode 117) and many more.

Looking ahead, listeners can look forward to more interesting guests and more astronomy news in the episodes to come. Given astronomy’s new focus on machine learning and data science, Hyde and her team plan to provide a window into some of the latest developments in those fields.

“One of our big plans for 2025 is to set up an episode from our Killarney Provincial Park collaborators in Ontario,” explains Hyde, referring to the Allan I. Carswell Astronomer in Residence program held annually at Killarney’s dark sky preserve. “We are looking forward to bringing one of our astronomers live from the site during residence to discuss astronomy, stargazing and, of course, the telescopes.”

The team also plans to convert past archived episodes of the show into podcast format, increasing the public’s access to valuable astronomical information.

“Reaching into the fields of history, physics, chemistry and biology is one of the things that astronomy does best,” says Hyde. “With the ‘91��ɫ Universe’ podcast, we can do all of that and include a 91��ɫ perspective as well. With this new format, we hope to reach a wider audience of both student scientists and science communicators.”

The “91��ɫ Universe” podcast is available on the and can be streamed on all podcast platforms. The live broadcast takes place every Monday night at 9 p.m. on YouTube in conjunction with the Observatory’s online public viewing program, where live or archival images from the telescope are shown, depending on the weather.

With files from Elaina Hyde

Courtesy of YFile

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Safe solar and eclipse viewing tips and tricks ahead of the main event on April 8

aburtin — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 20:56:13 +0000

Media advisory from March 7, 2024

Your mother probably told you to never look at the Sun or you would go blind, but that is particularly true when it comes to the upcoming solar eclipse, says Elaina Hyde, director of 91��ɫ’s Allan I. Carswell Observatory (AICO).

Hyde, an assistant professor in 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Science is available for media interviews in the lead up to the eclipse to talk about what an eclipse is and how to safely view it.

Although it will only be a partial eclipse in Toronto, 99.6 per cent, it is still strong enough to cause eye damage, even blindness, if anyone looks directly at it, adds Hyde, an assistant professor in 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Science.

For those wanting the full experience, the total eclipse will be viewable in other areas of Ontario – Niagara Falls, Hamilton and St. Catharines. In Toronto (timing varies depending on location), the partial solar eclipse will at 2:04 p.m. and end at 4:31 p.m. on April 8 with the maximum at 3:19 p.m.

“People, especially young children, may be tempted to look up during the eclipse, but it’s not safe to do so without proper protection,” says Hyde. “And, sunglasses are definitely not protective and shouldn’t be used when viewing the eclipse, but there are safe ways to do it.”

How do you look at the eclipse safely? Use solar viewing glasses, a pin hole camera or special solar filters on a telescope or binoculars.

A solar eclipse, which is fairly rare, is when the moon casts its shadow on the Earth. It is different from a lunar eclipse, which occurs when the moon moves into Earth’s shadow.

Infographics

Ways to safely observe the sun:

View the PDF version: Ways to safely observe the sun [PDF]

What is a solar eclipse:

View the PDF version: What is a solar eclipse? [PDF]

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91��ɫ astrophysicists take step forward in computer simulations of cosmology

aburtin — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 14:41:54 +0000

91��ɫ and an international team of astrophysicists have made an ambitious attempt to simulate the formation of galaxies and the cosmic large-scale structure throughout staggeringly large swaths of space.

First results of their “MillenniumTNG” project are published in a series of 10 articles in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. The new calculations help to subject the standard cosmological model to precision tests and to unravel the full power of upcoming new cosmological observations, say the researchers including 91��ɫ Assistant Professor Rahul Kannan of the Faculty of Science.

Over the past decades, cosmologists have gotten used to the perplexing conjecture that the universe’s matter content is dominated by enigmatic dark matter and that an even stranger dark energy field, that acts as some kind of anti-gravity, accelerates the expansion of today’s cosmos. Ordinary baryonic matter makes up less than five per cent of the cosmic mix, but this source material forms the basis for the stars and planets of galaxies like our own Milky Way.

This seemingly strange cosmological model is known under the name LCDM. It provides a stubbornly successful description of a large number of observational data, ranging from the cosmic microwave background radiation – the rest-heat left behind by the Big Bang – to the “cosmic web,” where galaxies are arranged along an intricate network of dark matter filaments. However, the real physical nature of dark matter and dark energy is still not understood, prompting astrophysicists to search for cracks in the LCDM theory. Identifying tensions to observational data could lead to a better understanding of these fundamental puzzles about the universe. Sensitive tests are required that need both: powerful new observational data as well as more detailed predictions about what the LCDM model actually implies.

An international team of researchers led by the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (MPA) in Germany, Harvard University in the U.S., Durham University in the U.K., and the Donostia International Physics Center in Spain, along with 91��ɫ, have now managed to take a decisive step forward on the latter challenge. Building up on their previous successes with the “Millennium” and “IllustrisTNG” projects, they developed a new suite of simulation models dubbed “MillenniumTNG,” which trace the physics of cosmic structure formation with considerably higher statistical accuracy than what was possible with previous calculations.

Figure 1: Projections of gas (top left), dark matter (top right), and stellar light (bottom center) for a slice in the largest hydrodynamical simulation of MillenniumTNG at the present epoch. The slice is about 35 million light-years thick. The projections show the vast physical scales in the simulation from size, about 2400 million light-years across, to an individual spiral galaxy (final round inset) with a radius of ~150 000 light-years. The underlying calculation is presently the largest high-resolution hydrodynamical simulation of galaxy formation, containing more than 160 billion resolution elements © MPA

Large simulations including new physical details

The team utilized the advanced cosmological code GADGET-4, custom-built for this purpose, to compute the largest high-resolution dark matter simulations to date, covering a region nearly 10 billion light-years across. In addition, they employed the moving-mesh hydrodynamical code AREPO to follow the processes of galaxy formation directly, throughout volumes still so large that they can be considered representative for the universe as a whole. Comparing both types of simulations allows a precise assessment of the impact of baryonic processes related to supernova explosions and supermassive black holes on the total matter distribution. An accurate knowledge of this distribution is key for interpreting upcoming observations correctly, such as so-called weak gravitational lensing effects, which respond to matter irrespective of whether it is of dark or baryonic type.

Furthermore, the team included massive neutrinos in their simulations, for the first time in simulations big enough to allow meaningful cosmological mock observations. Previous cosmological simulations had usually omitted them for simplicity, because they make up at most one to two per cent of the dark matter mass, and since their nearly relativistic velocities mostly prevent them from clumping together. Now, however, upcoming cosmological surveys (such as those of the recently launched Euclid satellite of the European Space Agency) will reach a precision allowing a detection of the associated per cent-level effects. This raises the tantalizing prospect to constrain the neutrino mass itself, a profound open question in particle physics, so the stakes are high.

For their groundbreaking MillenniumTNG simulations, the researchers made efficient use of two extremely powerful supercomputers, the SuperMUC-NG machine at the Leibniz Supercomputing Center in Garching, and the Cosma8 machine at Durham Universe. More than 120,000 computer cores toiled away for nearly two months at SuperMUC-NG, using computing time awarded by the German Gauss Centre for Supercomputing, to produce the most comprehensive hydrodynamical simulation model to date. MillenniumTNG is tracking the formation of about 100 million galaxies in a region of the universe around 2,400 million light-years across (see Figure 1). This calculation is about 15 times bigger than the previous best in this category, the TNG300 model of the IllustrisTNG project.

Using Cosma8, the team computed an even bigger volume of the universe, filled with more than a trillion dark matter particles and more than 10 billion particles for tracking massive neutrinos (see Figure 2). Even though this simulation did not follow the baryonic matter directly, its galaxy content can be accurately predicted in MillenniumTNG with a semi-analytic model that is calibrated against the full physical calculation of the project. This procedure leads to a detailed distribution of galaxies and matter in a volume that, for the first time, is large enough to be representative for the universe as a whole, putting comparisons to upcoming observational surveys on a sound statistical basis.

For more on the research results, and to see the published articles, visit the full story at News@91��ɫ.

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Astronomers in Residence program returns for second year

aburtin — Tue, 23 May 2023 17:52:24 +0000

The Orion Nebula – Allan I. Carswell Observatory

The Astronomers in Residence (AIR) program, an initiative by the Allan I. Carswell Observatory, partners with the Killarney Provincial Park to enable astronomers to lead presentations and shows using the park’s observatory. It runs this year from May 1 to Oct. 15.

Launched in 2022, the program calls on qualified astronomers to apply to run in-person tours two to five times a week, create observatory shows, YouTube livestreams and recorded video sessions, as well as author a blog. AIRs are offered free parking and lodging, as well as a $400 per week stipend, for their one-to-three-week residency.

The first 2023 AIR is Bruce Waters, who has been teaching astronomy within the provincial park system since 1985. He is the co-founder of “Stars over Killarney,” an annual astronomy program featuring topics related to the park, and the author of Campers Guide to the Universe.

Among other confirmed AIRs are:

Conor Hayes, a 91��ɫ graduate with a master’s of science in physics and astronomy;
Quinton Weyrich, a 91��ɫ graduate who is now an Outreach Coordinator for the David Dunlap Observatory, and was an AIR in Killarney Provincial Park last summer;
Mary-Helen Armour, an associate professor in the Department of Science, Technology and Society at 91��ɫ; and
Julie Tome, a 91��ɫ graduate, lead educator at the Royal Ontario Museum and a returning AIR from last summer.

The full summer schedule can be found here.

Those interested in an AIR application for one of the remaining spots this summer and fall can do so .

Throughout the duration of the program, those passionate about stargazing can follow along through the Astronomer in Residence Blog and livestreams on the .

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Observe magic of the sky over winter break and beyond

aburtin — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 19:09:31 +0000

Take in the night sky over the holiday break, and watch as some magical astronomy events unfold in December and into the new year.

Located at 91��ɫ’s Keele Campus, the Allan I. Carswell Observatory supports student learning and research and is a hub for public engagement and outreach. It is home to a one-metre telescope – the largest telescope on a university campus in all of Canada – and a 60-centimetre Cassegrain, both equipped with state-of-the-art electronic cameras. As well, the Observatory has five 20-centimetre telescopes available for outdoor viewing during special celestial events.

The Observatory offers a variety of free programming for the public, including public viewing sessions, group tours, our online radio show, online public viewing and more.

Here’s what to watch for in December, as suggested by Elaina A. Hyde, director, Allan I. Carswell Observatory.

Ursids meteor shower peaks on Dec. 22 and 23

Dec. 21: The December solstice will take place at 21:48 UTC. Also known as the winter solstice, it is the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, it is the longest day of the year and is called the summer solstice.

Dec. 21: Mercury will be at its greatest elongation, which makes it a good time to try and spot the planet. Mercury will appear at its farthest distance from the sun in the evening sky.

Dec. 22/23: Ursids meteor shower peaks on Dec. 22 and 23. The Ursids meteor shower is active annually between Dec. 17 and 24. According to Hyde, the shower usually peaks around Dec. 23. At its peak, observers may be able to view as many as 10 meteors in an hour.

Dec. 23: Super new moon. This new moon takes place very close to its perigee – the point on its orbit closest to the Earth.

Events to watch for in the new year

Venus and Saturn conjunction: In January 2023, the brightest planet Venus will become easier to spot as it climbs slightly higher in the twilight sky each evening. Meanwhile, Saturn will start January 2023 high in the twilight sky. But it’ll drop closer to the horizon as January proceeds. And – on Jan. 22, 2023 – Venus and Saturn will appear to brush past each other.

Additionally at 91��ɫ’s Keele Campus, the Allan I. Carswell Observatory does online astronomy viewings accessible to the public on Mondays and Wednesdays.

91��ɫ’s 40-cm telescope

Mondays: The 91��ɫ Universe Radio Show is broadcast on Monday nights (9 to 10 p.m. EST October to March; 9 to 10 p.m. EDT April to September) on the online radio station astronomy.fm. Tune in every week for a new exciting broadcast about what is new in astronomy, this week in history, and amazing interviews with scientists from around the world. Running simultaneously with the 91��ɫ Universe Radio Show is the weekly experience on YouTube. Anyone can tune in to see live images from the Observatory’s four telescopes/cameras when possible, view reduced astronomical images, and chat with Observatory staff, who are happy to answer questions. Requests for objects to observe will be entertained.

Wednesdays: Prior to the pandemic, the Observatory was open for in-person public viewing every Wednesday night. In the absence of weekly in-person public viewings, the Observatory hosts a live on its YouTube channel every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. This online version of public viewing is followed by a Q-and-A session with the Observatory team. In-person public viewing is only available a few days each month. Keep checking the Observatory homepage for dates.

“The next in-person viewing will be at the end of January, so bring your warmest jackets,” says Hyde.

Those who want to view old broadcasts or join in live can get the schedule with all the links from the Observatory’s new website: /science/observatory/ or join directly on YouTube at: .

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