By Julie Hammonds
Office of the Vice President for Research
Northern Arizona University assistant professor Ryan Behunin collaborated with a team of physicists from Yale and the University of Texas at Austin in discovering an innovative way to manipulate light in silicon. By demonstrating a new type of laser that amplifies light with sound waves in a silicon chip, the team’s research represents… Read more
Life on Mars? NAU astronomy professor discusses NASA’s finding of organic matter on Red Planet
Mark Salvatore has been studying Mars’ surface for years, including through his work with the Curiosity rover. He talked to NAU News about NASA’s announcement Thursday that showed evidence of organic material and methane on Mars—both of which could be indicative of life on the Red Planet.
Salvatore is an assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Northern Arizona University. His research focuses on the formation and evolution… Read more
What are the Chances that the Next Generation LSST Could Find New Planets in the Solar System? – Universe Today
In the past few decades, thanks to improvements in ground-based and space-based observatories, astronomers have discovered thousands of planets orbiting neighboring and distant stars (aka. extrasolar planets). Strangely enough, it is these same improvements, and during the same time period, that enabled the discovery of more astronomical bodies within the Solar System.
These include the “minor planets” of Eris, Sedna, Haumea,… Read more
Brain Food: Widespread Moon Water Offers New Promise for Space Exploration | KNAU Arizona Public Radio
Flagstaff planetary scientist Christopher Edwards has detected water all over the moon, which could mean new possibilities for space travel using the moon as a basecamp.
break
Edwards, a professor at Northern Arizona University, says the water could be used to make rocket fuel, air to breathe and water to drink.
“The exact context of this water is not super clear. It might be absorbed onto little grains, so little water molecules sticking on the outside of these regolith grains, so… Read more
NAU grad student awarded NSF research fellowship with proposal to take astronomy research to the people – NAU News : NAU News
By Heidi Toth
NAU Communications
Colin Chandler’s middle name is Orion.
It should be no surprise, then, that at age 7 he was stargazing, or that today, after years owning an IT business in Silicon Valley, he has chosen a career as an astronomer. Like his namesake, he is a celestial hunter, searching space for hints at signs of life on other planets or simply the existence of other planets altogether.
His search just got some help, when Chandler, who is… Read more
NAU makes history with three students chosen as Goldwater Scholars – NAU News : NAU News
By Carly Banks
NAU Communications
For the first time in the school’s history, three Northern Arizona University students have been selected as Goldwater Scholars.
The prestigious award, given to undergraduate students studying natural sciences, mathematics or engineering, provides one- or two-year full-ride scholarships to each of the recipients.
This year, 1,280 STEM students were nominated by campus representatives from more than 2,000 colleges and universities nationwide. Among the 211 selected to receive scholarships for the 2018-19 academic year were NAU biology… Read more