University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Hosts First Star Party After Observatory Repairs

Volunteer Writer: Emma Bowser  Email: ebowser@umassd.edu On Wednesday, April 19th, 2023, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth hosted the first star party since repairs on the Hirshfeld-Dowd Observatory were finished.  This observatory is the largest one in the South Coast area.  In 1978, Alan Hirshfeld started working at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth as a professor of physics and astronomy. At the time, there was no … Continue reading University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Hosts First Star Party After Observatory Repairs

 

Hubble Telescope Picks Up On Strange Spokes Dancing in Saturn’s Rings

(Image via nasa.gov) Staff Writer: Sakara De Gil-Balija Email: sdegilbalija@umassd.edu  On February 9th, 2023, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, more commonly known as NASA, revealed that the Hubble Telescope observed what appears to be ‘spokes’ floating with the swing of Saturn’s rings.  The information has baffled scientists; seeming to be an unexplained phenomenon. Though the spokes still aren’t explainable, it isn’t the first time … Continue reading Hubble Telescope Picks Up On Strange Spokes Dancing in Saturn’s Rings

 

Earth’s Inner Core Might Be Slowing Down

(Image via nasa.gov) Volunteer Writer: Mckenzie Ferrari Email: mferrari@umassd.edu A study published on Jan 23rd, 2023, in Nature Geoscience led by Peking University researchers Yi Yang and Xiaodong Song claims that the Earth’s inner core may be slowing down and soon reverse direction. Earth itself is made up of multiple layers: the inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust — which is where humans reside. … Continue reading Earth’s Inner Core Might Be Slowing Down

 

Astronomer Removed from Leiden University

Volunteer Writer: Mckenzie Ferrari Email: mferrari@umassd.edu On October 18th, 2022, Leiden University – located in the Netherlands and one of Europe’s largest research institutions – released a statement declaring that an unnamed professor was suspended from the university for “subject[ing] various colleagues to intimidating and unacceptable behaviour for a longer period.”  Multiple staff members at Leiden University filed complaints with the institution’s independent behavioral committee; … Continue reading Astronomer Removed from Leiden University