First results from DESI make the most precise measurement of our expanding universe
UC Santa Cruz researchers hold crucial roles in Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument collaboration
UC Santa Cruz Physicist Joel Primack wins 2024 AAAS Abelson Prize
Renowned scientist recognized for Cold Dark Matter theory and groundbreaking contributions in science policy
Students search for hidden black hole activity
When stars get too close to the supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies, the black holes shred them apart in a process called a tidal disruption event (TDE). These TDEs cause bright flashes, but recent models suggest that scientists should see more of them than have been observed.
Record-breaking fast radio burst is most distant ever detected
Scientists have discovered an eight-billion-year-old fast radio burst (FRB) – the most ancient and distant located to date
‘My story is a Native story’: Astrophysics grad student didn’t feel ‘Native enough’ until UCSC
Growing up, Madelyn Broome believed two things: She was destined to become a scientist and her Native heritage belonged to her. But when she got to Princeton for college, she began to doubt both. She feared she wasn’t good enough at math to succeed and not “Native enough” to claim her heritage. That changed when she arrived in 2020 at UC Santa Cruz, where she is now getting a Ph.D. in astrophysics. She is also hosting astronomy events for Native youth and mentoring youth to help them see a future for themselves in STEM
Astronomers map temperatures and find traces of water in a super-hot gas giant’s atmosphere
Astronomers used the Webb Telescope to make a temperature map of the “hot Jupiter” exoplanet WASP-18b, revealing dramatic temperature gradients in its atmosphere
Physical and Biological Sciences Division honors three prominent alumni
The Division of Physical and Biological Sciences is honoring three stellar alumni—atmospheric scientist Cora E. Randall, pediatrician Ramon Resa, and marine scientist Colleen Reichmuth—with the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Awards
New JWST data reveal more details of exoplanet WASP-39b’s atmosphere
A ‘mystery molecule’ seen in the initial spectrum has been identified as sulfur dioxide produced by photochemical reactions in the planet’s atmosphere
Batalha testifies at Congressional hearing on the initial scientific findings of the JWST
The James Webb Space Telescope is the largest and most powerful telescope humans have sent to space and, Batalha asserts, it is ushering in a new era of exoplanet science
Webb telescope draws back the curtain on universe’s early galaxies
Initial findings from JWST Early Release Science programs include the discovery of two exceptionally bright galaxies in the early universe
COSMOS program serves as a portal for aspiring astrophysicist’s journey to UC Santa Cruz
Her high school experience on campus motivated and inspired Julia Stewart (Crown ’24, astronomy) to matriculate to UCSC. Now she is paving the way for the next generation of math and science protégés seeking their own North Star
Astronomer Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz honored as Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences
Ramirez-Ruiz and alumnus Scott Shaffer were selected by the California Academy of Sciences to join the ranks of Academy Fellows.