News
Center for the Advancement of STEM Leadership
July 26, 2022
The Center for the Advancement of STEM leadership has been established, effective July 1, 2022. Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, professor of astronomy and astrophysics, will be the faculty director of the center.
Measuring the universe with star-shattering explosions
July 22, 2022
An international team of scientists has analyzed archive data for powerful cosmic explosions from the deaths of stars and found a new way to measure distances in the distant universe.
Simulations reveal hydrodynamics of planetary engulfment by expanding star
June 13, 2022
A new study using hydrodynamical simulations reveals the forces acting on a planet when it is swallowed by an expanding star, as will eventually happen to the inner planets of our solar system when the sun becomes a red giant.
Amanda Quirk
May 31, 2022
Amanda Quirk's research on galaxy mergers showed evidence that the Andromeda galaxy had some kind of major galactic collision in the past 4 billion years, and survived—which has implications for our own galaxy, the Milky Way.
UCSC student wins second place at UC systemwide Grad Slam
May 12, 2022
Astronomy and astrophysics Ph.D. candidate Amanda Quirk came in second place in an elite group of ten competitors at the UC systemwide Grad Slam finale on May 6. She pulled off this feat after winning the UCSC Grad Slam in March.
Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz chosen for prestigious Julio Cortázar Latin American Chair
May 3, 2022
Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, professor of astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz, has been selected to hold the Julio Cortázar Latin American Chair at the University of Guadalajara, Mexico, for 2022.
Summer programs draw visitors to Lick Observatory for music and stargazing
April 28, 2022
Tickets are on sale now for the observatory's popular summer evening programs.
Risa Wechsler named 2022 Physical and Biological Sciences Distinguished Graduate Student Alumna
April 11, 2022
UC Santa Cruz alumna Risa Wechsler (Ph.D. Physics ’01) has played an instrumental role in groundbreaking research in the cosmology field, with pioneering galaxy structure and cosmic structure surveys, and more than 300 widely cited publications. Wechsler has also been committed to ensuring the growth of diversity and inclusion within the physics and astronomy community.
UC Santa Cruz hosts ‘Universe in Verse’ April 16 in the Quarry Amphitheater
April 5, 2022
The fifth annual Universe in Verse—a charitable celebration of science and nature through poetry and music, created and hosted by writer Maria Popova (Marginalian)—will be held in person at UC Santa Cruz in the Quarry Amphitheater on Saturday, April 16.
Postdoctoral fellowships support planetary science research
March 31, 2022
Brittany Miles and Paul Dalba have won 51 Pegasi b Fellowships to support their research on exoplanets and brown dwarfs.
Methane could be the first detectable indication of life beyond Earth
March 28, 2022
A new study assesses the planetary context in which the detection of methane in an exoplanet’s atmosphere could be considered a compelling sign of life.
Cannibal galaxies and devastating collisions
March 14, 2022
Amanda Quirk won the annual Grad Slam competition last week after compressing billions of years of galactic history into a humorous and insightful three-minute presentation. She won $3,000 and a chance to compete in the UC Grad Slam finals in May.
White House honors astronomer Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz with mentoring award
February 9, 2022
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring represent the highest honors bestowed upon mentors who work to expand STEM talent.
MaNGA team releases largest-ever collection of 3D maps of nearby galaxies
January 11, 2022
The release of the complete dataset of 10,000 galaxies observed by the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) project makes MaNGA the largest galaxy survey of its kind.
Simulated image shows how NASA’s Roman could expand on Hubble’s deepest view
January 10, 2022
The Roman Space Telescope will have the power to perform an observation similar to the Hubble Ultra Deep Field, but on a much larger scale.
Astronomers witness the explosive end of a dying star
January 6, 2022
The Young Supernova Experiment transient survey observed a red supergiant during its final 130 days leading up to a supernova explosion.
In Memoriam: Bill Mathews (1937–2021)
December 17, 2021
William George “Bill” Mathews—astrophysicist, musician, and idea foundry—died on September 24 at the age of 84, but his sparkle lives on.
UCSC astronomers help shape influential report on national priorities for their field
November 5, 2021
The 'Astro2020' Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics identifies the most compelling science goals and provides recommendations for funding agencies.
As launch of James Webb Space Telescope nears, astronomers anticipate new era of discoveries
October 26, 2021
UCSC astronomers will be among the first to use the powerful new space telescope, and have been involved in the project from the start.
Astronomers witnessed the spectacular death of a star as it happened
October 21, 2021
Observations with multiple telescopes yield new insights into the final stages in the evolution of a massive star before it exploded in a core-collapse supernova.
Astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz wins SACNAS Distinguished Mentor Award
October 19, 2021
Ramirez-Ruiz will be honored by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science at the 2021 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference.
Astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz awarded American Physical Society’s Nicholson Medal
October 15, 2021
The American Physical Society’s 2021 Dwight Nicholson Medal for Outreach recognizes Ramirez-Ruiz for innovations in mentoring.
AAUW awards fellowships to three scholars at UC Santa Cruz
October 11, 2021
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) has awarded 2021-22 American Fellowships to three scholars at UC Santa Cruz who will pursue academic work and lead innovative community projects to empower women and girls.
Astrophysicists explain the origin of unusually heavy neutron star binaries
October 8, 2021
Simulations of supernova explosions of massive stars paired with neutron stars can explain puzzling results from gravitational wave observatories.
Black Lives Matter: A statement from our department
June 24, 2020
