University of Virginia Astronomy Department

Astronomers at UVA's Department of Astronomy, led by VICO postdoctoral fellow Aashish Gupta, are organizing an international conference, "DISCO: Disks in Context," to be held at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory from September 21 to 25, 2026. This first-of-its-kind conference will bring together experts from around the globe to discuss how star-forming environments shape planet-forming disks, i.e., the birthplaces of future worlds.

Visit sites.google.com/view/disksincontext to learn more.

The Jefferson Trust Radio Telescope team at Fan Mountain Observatory on July 22, 2026. From left to right: Mike Richardson, Matt Nelson, Mallory Helfenbein, Utkarsh Bhura, Peter Dow, Eleanor Fetterer, and Ashley Huo. Brad Johnson took the photo.

How do scientists search for signs of life beyond Earth?

In UVA's Alien Worlds summer course, astronomy instructor Anna Dignan introduced students to the science of exoplanets, planets outside our own solar system. Since the first exoplanet was discovered in 1992, thousands have been identified, and many share similarities with Earth.
Dignan taught students how astronomers analyze planetary atmospheres using spectrum analysis to detect molecules that could indicate life. With the James Webb Space Telescope providing new data, the debate around biosignatures is more active than ever.

Students didn't just learn the science; they thought like scientists, analyzing real spectra and identifying molecules. For their final project, they designed a vacation travel brochure for an actual exoplanet.
Dignan, who just completed her master's degree, will continue research at UVA in star formation beyond the Milky Way.

Read more: https://news.virginia.edu/content/summer-course-explores-alien-worlds?utm_source=DailyReport&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news

Summer course explores ‘alien worlds’ Alas, it’s not a study-abroad course – yet – but exoplanets may provide insight into how life formed on Earth.

How do planets form from disks of gas and dust around young stars? UVA Astronomy Ph.D. candidate Amina Diop is helping answer that question.

Originally from Senegal, Amina Diop studies the chemistry of protoplanetary disks and investigates how their elemental composition shapes the formation of planets. Her research combines observations from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), physical-chemical modeling, and machine learning to better understand the connections between disks and the exoplanets that emerge from them.

A member of the Disk-Exoplanet Connection (DEC/O) collaboration, Diop is working to uncover the chemical building blocks of planetary systems while also mentoring students and expanding astronomy outreach in both the United States and Senegal.

Read more: https://lnkd.in/eTabi4dq

The deadline to apply for Go Explore the Universe has been extended! There are a few spots left so get your applications in soon!

We are excited to invite applications for the upcoming Go Explore the Universe Camp (GETU) hosted on grounds at UVA's McCormick Observatory from June 10th-12th, 2026. This free camp is open to middle-school age kids (currently in 6th-8th grade) and involves three full days of hands-on astronomy based activities. The initial application deadline is Friday, May 6th, but we will review applications on a rolling basis as space allows. If you have any questions, please reach out to the camp directors, Dr. Beatrice Kulterer (UVA), Dr. Allison Costa (NRAO) and Prof. Ilse Cleeves (UVA) at [email protected].
Website: [https://astronomy.as.virginia.edu/go-explore-universe]

We are excited to invite applications for the upcoming Go Explore the Universe Camp (GETU) hosted on grounds at UVA's McCormick Observatory from June 10th-12th, 2026. This free camp is open to middle-school age kids (currently in 6th-8th grade) and involves three full days of hands-on astronomy based activities. The initial application deadline is Friday, May 6th, but we will review applications on a rolling basis as space allows. If you have any questions, please reach out to the camp directors, Dr. Beatrice Kulterer (UVA), Dr. Allison Costa (NRAO) and Prof. Ilse Cleeves (UVA) at [email protected].
Website: [https://astronomy.as.virginia.edu/go-explore-universe]