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Astronomy and Astrophysics

December 21, 2012
UCSC astronomer Sandra Faber to receive the National Medal of Science
The White House announced Friday, December 21, that UC Santa Cruz faculty member Sandra Faber is one of a dozen eminent researchers selected to receive the National Medal of Science.
December 18, 2012
Closest single star like our Sun may have a habitable planet
An international team of astronomers has found that Tau Ceti, one of the closest and most Sun-like stars, may host five planets.
December 11, 2012
Year of the Slug: A look back at 2012 at UC Santa Cruz
Higgs boson, condors, pumas, the Grateful Dead Archive … 2012 was yet another year of discoveries, breakthroughs, newsmakers, and honors for UC Santa Cruz. Here’s a look back at a few highlights of the year at UCSC.
November 07, 2012
New super-Earth planet found in habitable zone of six-planet system
An international team of astronomers has discovered a new super-Earth planet in the habitable zone of a nearby star.
October 23, 2012
ARCS Foundation scholarships support UCSC graduate students
Eight UC Santa Cruz graduate students have received scholarships worth a total of $80,000 from the ARCS Foundation this year.
October 19, 2012
Astronomers uncover a surprising trend in galaxy evolution
A comprehensive study of hundreds of galaxies has revealed an unexpected pattern of change that extends back 8 billion years.
October 16, 2012
Extraordinary achievement, social consciousness celebrated at gala event
Honorees of 6th annual Founders Celebration Dinner share one of UCSC's core goals: 'Leaving the world a better place'
October 16, 2012
Astronomer boldly addresses big issues in the cosmos
UK's Astronomer Royal Martin Rees discusses space and humankind's stewardship of our 'precious, pale-blue dot' at sixth annual Foundation Forum.
October 12, 2012
Mapping the Sky
Astronomy professor Connie Rockosi is a bright light in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, which aims to discover how our galaxy was born
September 25, 2012
Hubble produces deepest ever view of the universe
UCSC astronomer Garth Illingworth's team assembled the "eXtreme Deep Field" image of distant galaxies.
September 12, 2012
Eminent astronomer Sandra Faber to deliver 2012 Maitra Lecture on October 3
Astronomer Sandra Faber will deliver the 12th annual Maitra Memorial Lecture October 3: "Modern Genesis and the Limits of Cosmic Knowledge."
August 30, 2012
Celebrating astronomical success at UC Santa Cruz
UCSC is a top institution in the fields of astronomy and astrophysics; Founders Celebration to highlight that distinction and others
August 23, 2012
Lick Observatory 'BBQ with the Stars' features renowned UC astronomers
Lick Observatory's "BBQ with the Stars" on Saturday, September 15, will feature a barbeque dinner, live music, and astronomy talks.
July 11, 2012
Dark galaxies of the early universe spotted for the first time
For the first time, dark galaxies--an early phase of galaxy formation, predicted by theory but unobserved until now--may have been spotted.
July 02, 2012
Michael Bolte to step down as director of UC Observatories
Michael Bolte has announced his decision to resign as director of UC Observatories at the end of July and will return to full-time teaching and research at UC Santa Cruz.
June 13, 2012
Year of the Slug: Great UCSC moments in 2011-12
From the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame to cancer research to its ranking as one of the top “young” universities in the world, UCSC stood in the spotlight this year.
June 13, 2012
Astronomer Jerry Nelson receives Franklin Medal in campus ceremony
Astronomer Jerry Nelson was awarded the Franklin Institute's 2012 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Electrical Engineering on Friday, June 8.
June 01, 2012
A summary of summery things to do at UCSC
When the summer fog rolls in, UC Santa Cruz and its off-campus facilities roll out a long list of things to do and see. From Shakespeare to sea stars to exotic plants and astronomy, there is always something interesting and fun to experience at UCSC.
June 01, 2012
Astronomer Sandra Faber receives prestigious Bruce Gold Medal
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific has awarded the 2012 Catherine Wolfe Bruce Gold Medal to UCSC astronomer Sandra Faber.
May 31, 2012
Milky Way destined for head-on collision with Andromeda galaxy
Our galactic neighbor the Andromeda galaxy is on a collision course with our own Milky Way galaxy, according to new observations.
May 25, 2012
Music of the Spheres draws summer visitors to Lick Observatory
Lick Observatory offers evening programs for music lovers and astronomy buffs featuring concerts, lectures, and opportunities to view the night sky through the observatory's history-making telescopes atop Mt. Hamilton.
May 22, 2012
Recognizing excellence in teaching at UCSC
The 2011-12 Excellence in Teaching Awards honored eight caring professors who inspired their students at UCSC. UCSC Chancellor George Blumenthal presented the awards at the Stevenson Event Center on campus.
May 12, 2012
Astronomy lectures spotlight rare astronomical event on June 5
Lectures on May 18, May 25, and June 1 will explain the scientific and historical significance of the transit of Venus.
April 03, 2012
Kepler Explorer app puts distant planets at your fingertips
Kepler Explorer, an innovative app for iPads and iPhones, provides interactive displays of planetary systems discovered by the Kepler Mission.
March 27, 2012
Astrophysicist Michael Turner speaks April 16 on what came 'Before the Big Bang'
Eminent cosmologist Michael Turner will discuss the origins of the universe in a free public lecture on Monday, April 16, at the Rio Theater.
February 13, 2012
Planet hunter Steve Vogt to give annual Faculty Research Lecture on Feb. 28
Astronomer Steve Vogt will discuss the search for other worlds in the annual Faculty Research Lecture.
February 08, 2012
New images capture 'stealth merger' of dwarf galaxies
Images of a nearby dwarf galaxy show the remains of an even smaller companion galaxy in the process of merging with its host.
February 02, 2012
New super-Earth detected within the habitable zone of a nearby star
An international team of scientists has discovered a potentially habitable super-Earth orbiting a nearby star.
January 26, 2012
NASA's Kepler mission announces 11 planetary systems hosting 26 planets
A UCSC astronomer is involved in the Kepler mission's discovery of 11 new planetary systems hosting 26 confirmed planets.
January 09, 2012
Wandering stars offer clues to history of our galaxy
Some stars have orbits that take them to interesting places, and they have interesting stories to tell about how they were formed.