- Skip to global menu.
- Skip to primary navigation.
- Skip to secondary navigation.
- Skip to page content.
- Return to global menu.
- Skip to primary navigation.
- Skip to secondary navigation.
- Skip to page content.
Astronomy Research Centre (ARC)
Contact us Stellar Hydrodynamics Workshop at UVic
The Computational Stellar Astrophysics group hosts the international workshop Stellar Hydro Days VI on the UVic campus May 12-16, 2025. This event focuses on 2D/3D hydrodynamic simulations and processes in stellar interiors.
ALMA Detects Instabilities in Planet-Forming Disk
A study led by 51吃瓜 graduate student Jess Speedie, published in the prestigious journal Nature, has unveiled a key finding in planet formation. By using high-sensitivity data from the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), Speedie and the team detected gravitational “wiggles” in the gas disk around the young star AB Aurigae. These wiggles indicate that when disks around young stars become sufficiently massive, they can collapse under their own gravity to form giant planets like Jupiter, confirming predictions of the gravitational instability model. Image Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NSF NRAO), VLT/SPHERE (ESO), Speedie et al.
Discovery of Cosmic 鈥淨uestion Mark鈥� with JWST
The CANUCS team, led by HAA astronomer Chris Willott, has captured an extraordinary image of the galaxy cluster MACS J0417.5-1154 using the James Webb Space Telescope. The cluster's immense gravity bends the light from distant galaxies behind it, producing a stunning gravitational lensing effect. Among these distorted images is a rare cosmic "question mark," created by the light of two interacting galaxies stretched into this remarkable shape. Image credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, V. Estrada-Carpenter
JWST Unveils Dusty Protoplanets Around a Young Star
A team led by UVic grad student Dori Blakely, alongside faculty members Doug Johnstone and Ruobing Dong, successfully utilized the James Webb Space Telescope to capture groundbreaking images of dust around two protoplanets orbiting the young star PDS 70. Using the Canadian-provided NIRISS instrument, the team revealed new insights into exoplanet formation, showcasing UVic's significant contributions to this cutting-edge astronomical research.Image Credit:Blakely et al
Evidence of Planet Formation in Young Star Disks
UVic’s graduate student Camryn Mullin, alongside UVic faculties Ruobing Dong and Doug Johnstone, has harnessed the James Webb Space Telescope to search for forming planets in the disks around young stars. Utilizing Webb’s NIRCam instrument, they investigated HL Tau, SAO 206462, and MWC 758, revealing significant evidence of planetary formation. Their research, published in a series of three papers, highlights the intricate structures within these disks, advancing our understanding of exoplanet formation and positioning UVic at the forefront of astronomical discovery. Image credit: NAOJ/Subaru
Discovery of the Faintest Known Milky Way Satellite
Simon Smith, a graduate student at the 51吃瓜, led a team that discovered a new, extremely faint satellite of the Milky Way Galaxy, named “Ursa Major III/UNIONS 1”