Astronomy

Zack Gelles examines how black-hole rotation twists magnetic fields near light cylinders, where plasma accelerates into inflows and outflows. Semi-analytic models and simulations connect this structure to polarization changes detectable with radio interferometry, offering constraints on black-hole spin and relativistic jets. Kritti Sharma presents fast radio bursts as probes of cosmic baryons. Dispersion measures and secure host redshifts constrain gas in galaxy groups and clusters, while correlations with large-scale structure and other tracers map matter along burst sight-lines. The talk considers how future burst surveys can measure baryonic feedback and its evolution alongside other cosmological observations. Online via Stanford KIPAC Zoom. Friday 25 September 2026, 10:40–11:30 PDT (America/Los_Angeles; UTC−7). Follow Join the zoom meeting on the event page. The organizer lists faculty, staff, members and students as the audience. This is one session with two speakers; individual talk start times are not supplied.

Tanmay Vachaspati, joined by Maulik Parikh, explores the limits of knowledge in cosmology and particle physics. The discussion moves from large-scale cosmic structure, the cosmic microwave background and black holes to the Higgs particle, symmetry breaking and magnetic monopoles. These established research landscapes frame questions about what remains unknown and whether some questions could be fundamentally unknowable. This is part of the Beyond Center’s Thinking Beyond series on major questions in science. Speakers: Tanmay Vachaspati and Maulik Parikh, Arizona State University. Organized by the Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science. Monday 28 September 2026, 18:00 America/Phoenix (Arizona, UTC−07:00). Online via Zoom. Use Register Here on the official event page to complete the event-specific Zoom registration; registration is required. The registration page confirms the date and time.

Jared Siegel presents measurements that address two limitations of weak-lensing cosmology: intrinsic galaxy alignments and baryonic feedback. More than two million DESI galaxies and four lensing surveys provide alignment measurements across colour, luminosity, stellar mass and redshift. Combining Sunyaev–Zel’dovich profiles, eROSITA gas fractions and galaxy–galaxy lensing then constrains how feedback redistributes matter in groups and clusters at redshifts between zero and one. The results indicate stronger gas expulsion beyond virial radii than many simulations predict, reducing small-scale matter power. Incorporating these empirical constraints into cosmic-shear analyses improves cosmological inference. Online via Stanford KIPAC Zoom. Friday 9 October 2026, 10:40–11:30 PDT (America/Los_Angeles; UTC−7). Follow Join the zoom meeting on the official event page. The organizer lists faculty, staff, members and students as the audience. This listing advertises remote attendance.

Marta Bryan explores what gas giants reveal about the formation and evolution of planetary systems. Their brightness and mass make them useful observational targets, and their gravitational influence can reshape the orbits and environments of smaller planets. The seminar combines several approaches. High-resolution spectroscopy of directly imaged planets measures rotation and obliquity, providing evidence about angular-momentum evolution. Radial-velocity searches for Jupiter-like companions to known inner planets probe how giant planets affect system architecture and inform the search for habitable worlds. The presentation also introduces observational work on planetary interiors and magnetic fields as further ways to test formation models.

Provide technical leadership for installation, commissioning and operation of the SKA-Low radio telescope. The role develops maintenance strategies, diagnostic methods and technical standards across RF, electronics, optical and signal-processing systems. Based in Geraldton or Perth, the appointment includes a four-day-on, three-day-off fly-in/fly-out roster to the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory. Geraldton appointments may be indefinite; Perth appointments are for three years. Applications close on 27 September 2026 at 23:00 AEST, with earlier closure possible if a suitable candidate is found.

RAS Study or Research Projects grants normally provide £250–£5,000 for work advancing astronomy or geophysics, particularly activities and applicants underserved by other funding sources. Evidence of an application for matching support is required. The current pilot accepts applications continuously and assesses small grants at four annual cut-offs; the next is 30 September 2026. Applications after a cut-off move to the next round. This current overview supersedes the older two-deadline wording still present on individual scheme pages.

RAS grants normally contribute £250–£1,000 toward conference or meeting travel, registration and subsistence. Matching-funding applications must be evidenced; student support normally covers at most half the costs. Applicants must provide a submitted or planned talk/poster abstract. Meetings must occur between six weeks and six months after the assessment deadline. The current pilot accepts applications continuously and assesses small grants at four annual cut-offs; the next is 30 September 2026. Applications after a cut-off move to the next round. This current overview supersedes the older two-deadline wording still present on individual scheme pages.

Support construction and operation of the SKA-Low radio telescope through installation, maintenance and fault diagnosis of radio-frequency, fibre, coaxial and electronic systems. Work is based in Geraldton with travel to the remote Murchison observatory on Wajarri Yamaji Country, normally on a four-days-on, three-days-off roster. These are indefinite full-time appointments, with flexibility considered. Annual salary is AUD 76,000–96,000 plus superannuation of up to 15.4%.

Support construction and operation of the SKA-Low radio telescope through installation, maintenance and fault diagnosis of radio-frequency, fibre, coaxial and electronic systems. Work is based in Geraldton with travel to the remote Murchison observatory on Wajarri Yamaji Country, normally on a four-days-on, three-days-off roster. These are indefinite full-time appointments, with flexibility considered. Annual salary is AUD 76,000–96,000 plus superannuation of up to 15.4%.

Participation grants for the 2027 IAU General Assembly can support registration, accommodation, travel and childcare. Selection considers the applicant’s scientific contribution, the relevant committee’s abstract assessment, need, career stage and access to other funding. Applications are open and close on 15 January 2027 at 23:59 CET. Submit all abstracts and register before applying through the official platform in English. Grant applicants may defer payment while awaiting the decision, using the organizer’s stated registration procedure. Decisions are scheduled for 30 April 2027.

RAS Study or Research Projects grants normally provide £250–£5,000 for work advancing astronomy or geophysics, particularly activities and applicants underserved by other funding sources. Evidence of an application for matching support is required. The current pilot accepts applications continuously and assesses small grants at four annual cut-offs; the next is 30 September 2026. Applications after a cut-off move to the next round. This current overview supersedes the older two-deadline wording still present on individual scheme pages.

RAS grants normally contribute £250–£1,000 toward conference or meeting travel, registration and subsistence. Matching-funding applications must be evidenced; student support normally covers at most half the costs. Applicants must provide a submitted or planned talk/poster abstract. Meetings must occur between six weeks and six months after the assessment deadline. The current pilot accepts applications continuously and assesses small grants at four annual cut-offs; the next is 30 September 2026. Applications after a cut-off move to the next round. This current overview supersedes the older two-deadline wording still present on individual scheme pages.