2011 News
April 17, 2025
Astronomers' pristine gas discovery among top scientific breakthroughs of 2011
December 22, 2011
Lists from Science and Physics World of the top scientific breakthroughs of the year include the discovery of primordial gas clouds by UCSC astronomers.
UC Santa Cruz astronomer Jerry Nelson to receive 2012 Franklin Medal
December 19, 2011
The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia has announced that Jerry Nelson, professor of astronomy and astrophysics, will receive the 2012 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Electrical Engineering.
Astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz named to Silicon Valley's '40 Under 40'
December 02, 2011
Astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz is among 40 "rising stars" in Silicon Valley recognized by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal.
Astronomers find clouds of primordial gas from the early universe
November 10, 2011
For the first time, astronomers have found pristine clouds of the primordial gas that formed in the first few minutes after the Big Bang.
Galaxy mergers not the trigger for most black hole feeding frenzies
October 13, 2011
A survey of distant galaxies shows that galaxy mergers are not responsible for most active galactic nuclei.
Scientists release most accurate simulation of the universe to date
September 29, 2011
The Bolshoi supercomputer simulation, the most accurate and detailed large cosmological simulation run to date, gives physicists and astronomers a powerful new tool.
Astronomers confirm first planet orbiting two stars
September 15, 2011
A world with multiple suns is a common trope in science fiction, and scientific reality has now caught up, with a report from NASA's Kepler mission of a planet orbiting two stars.
Small distant galaxies host supermassive black holes
September 15, 2011
Using the Hubble Space Telescope to probe the distant universe, astronomers have found supermassive black holes growing in surprisingly small galaxies, suggesting that central black holes formed at an early stage in galaxy evolution.
Astrophysicists report first simulation to create a Milky Way-like galaxy
August 29, 2011
A simulation of galaxy formation by UCSC astrophysicists solves a longstanding problem in cosmology.
'Big splat' may explain moon's mountainous far side
August 03, 2011
The mountainous region on the far side of the moon may be the remains of a collision with a smaller companion moon.
Profile of astronomer Sandra Faber wins Emmy award
July 14, 2011
A profile of astronomer Sandra Faber on public television station KTEH was honored with a Northern California Area Emmy Award.
President Obama meets astronomer Jerry Nelson and other Kavli Prize winners
June 07, 2011
President Barack Obama met in the Oval Office with UCSC astronomer Jerry Nelson and other recipients of the 2010 Kavli Prizes.
Outstanding work in the spotlight: Student Achievement Week recognizes accomplishment
June 03, 2011
Student Achievement Week closed with the highly anticipated 2011 Undergraduate Academic Achievement, Excellence in Teaching, and Mentoring Awards ceremony and reception. This year's winner of the prestigious Steck Award is undergraduate astrophysics major Luke Kelley, 23.
UCSC shines in survey of senior women in astronomy
March 31, 2011
The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics has more senior women faculty members than any other astronomy department in the country.
Sandra Faber and Lynda Rogers among Silicon Valley's 'Women of Influence'
February 24, 2011
Astronomer Sandra Faber and Lynda Rogers, dean of UCSC Extension, are among the 2011 "Women of Influence" in Silicon Valley.
Six small planets orbiting a Sun-like star amaze astronomers
February 02, 2011
A remarkable planetary system discovered by NASA's Kepler mission has six planets around a Sun-like star, including five small planets in tightly packed orbits.
UCSC faculty mentor Intel science contest finalists
February 01, 2011
Two high-school students mentored by UC Santa Cruz professors are finalists in the nationwide Intel Science Talent Search competition.
UCSC astronomers find most distant galaxy candidate yet seen
January 26, 2011
Astronomers have found what may be the most distant galaxy ever seen, about 13.2 billion light-years away.
Sandra Faber honored by American Astronomical Society
January 18, 2011
The American Astronomical Society has awarded the 2011 Henry Norris Russell Lectureship to astronomer Sandra Faber.
Astronomers release the largest color image of the sky ever made
January 11, 2011
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey III has released the largest digital color image of the sky ever made.
