nrao.eduNational Radio Astronomy Observatory – Revealing the Hidden Universe

For EducatorsFor ScientistsNews Gallery Telescopes + Tech VLA ALMA VLBA ngVLA CDL ngRADAR VLASS Visit Us Visit VLA Visit ALMA Learn What is Radio Astronomy? Black Holes Exoplanets Pulsars Astronomy Eclipse Basics Blogs Outreach Programs & Events Diversity & Inclusion Explore The VLA Explorer Cosmic Coloring Compositor Milky Way Explorer Interferometry Explained ALMA Explorer NRAO Mission Control Join & Give Press Office Image Use About NRAO For EducatorsNEWS + FEATURES 29 April 2024 Orion’s Erupting Star System Reveals Its Secrets An unusual group of stars in the Orion constellation have revealed their secrets. FU Orionis, a double star system, first caught astronomers’ attention in 1936 when the central star suddenly became 1,000 times brighter than usual. This behavior, expected from dying stars, had never been seen in a young star like FU Orionis. The strange phenomenon inspired a new classification of stars sharing the same name (FUor stars). FUor stars flare suddenly, erupting in brightness, before dimming again many years later. It is now understood that this brightening is due to the stars taking in energy from their surroundings via gravitational accretion, the main force that shapes stars and planets. However, how and why this happens remained a mystery—until now, thanks to astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). 19 April 2024 Protecting ALMA’s Skies 19 April 2024 ALMA Reveals Jupiter’s Moon Io has been Volcanically Active for Billions of Years 11 April 2024 The Very Large Array to Host Spring Open House Event on April 20, 2024 1 April 2024 Stellar Explosions and Cosmic Chemistry 27 March 2024 Astronomers Unveil Strong Magnetic Fields Spiraling at the Edge of Milky Way’s Central Black Hole 26 March 2024 Radio Observations of Compact Symmetric Objects Shed New Light on Black Hole Phenomenon 18 March 2024 NRAO and SpaceX Coordinate to Protect Radio Astronomy 8 March 2024 Dr. Patricia (Trish) Henning: Leading the Way in Radio Astronomy See All News NRAO TELESCOPES ALMA Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array in the Atacama Desert, Chile, is the most complex observatory ever built. LearnVisit VLBA Very Long Baseline Array The Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) is ten radio telescopes stationed across 5,351 miles. It’s the world’s sharpest, dedicated telescope array. LearnVLA Very Large Array The VLA is the most advanced radio telescope array on Earth, a customizable interferometer that spans up to 22 miles across. LearnVisit NRAO BLOGS How to Safely View the Eclipse Barbara Gruber | 15 March 2024 Are you planning on viewing the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024? Please make sure you are doing so… Eclipses and Exoplanets Barbara Gruber | 11 March 2024 Transit Method When a planet passes directly between a star and its observer, it dims the star’s light by… Learning Shines Brightly at SuperKnova Brian Koberlein | 31 January 2024 SuperKnova is a project to provide learning opportunities in radio technology for students in a way that is inclusive… Owens Valley: Radio Astronomy in the Land of Sky and Stream Brian Koberlein | 24 January 2024 Three million years ago the fault regions of the Sierra Nevada and White Mountains began their thunderous rise. Their… Hidden Giants Brian Koberlein | 9 January 2024 University of the West Indies student Brianna Sampson finds than more than a thousand Giant Radio Galaxies could be hidden in the data of a radio sky survey. Here There Be DRAGNs Brian Koberlein | 9 January 2024 University of the West Indies student Kavita Gosine Bissessar hunts for asymmetrical DRAGNs in the VLA Sky Survey. Astronomy is Metal Brian Koberlein | 8 January 2024 University of Arizona student Swapnaneel Dey looks at the metallicity of interstellar clouds in our galaxy. Two For One Brian Koberlein | 8 January 2024 When a distant quasar was found to have two sources, University of Washington student Anaïs Martin wanted to find out why. See All Blog Posts #RADIOIMAGEOFTHEWEEK Busy Little Robots Each of the Green Bank Telescope’s 2004 surface panels is adjusted by a small, computer-controlled motor called an actuator, seen here at the edge of the dish. The 2.3-acre surface of the GBT requires 2209 actuators to maintain its accurate surface shape. See Past Images of the Week NRAO Making Waves Announcements and Achievements 2024 Jansky Fellows Awarded As a part of its central mission to nurture and inspire the next generation of radio astronomers, the National… NRAO Supports International Symposium for the Future of Science in the Caribbean The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) participated in an international symposium to bring together scientists from around the world to the Caribbean, to explore the future of science and technology in the region, the abilities of its resident scientists, and those in diaspora. Associated Universities, Inc. and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory celebrate success of Chilean students in pursuit of STEM careers The U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO) and Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) are proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of two local students, Iris and Camila, as they embark on their journeys into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers. National Radio Astronomy Observatory Shines at New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) marked its presence for the third consecutive year at the prestigious New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge See Past Announcements EXPLORE + LEARN Learn Star Life and Death Different star types live” and die” in different ways based on how much matter they started with and if they were born with siblings nearby. Learn The History of Radio Astronomy Radio astronomy is a relatively young branch of astronomical science. Today, some of the most important discoveries about our… Learn Dark Matter To balance their speeds out to those distances from their massive central cores, the galaxies must be made of more stuff than just that which we can detect. Connect with NRAO Tweets by TheNRAO The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc. Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media. The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..." AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public. News Gallery Telescopes + Tech VLA ALMA VLBA ngVLA CDL ngRADAR VLASS Visit Us Visit VLA Visit ALMA Learn What is Radio Astronomy? Black Holes Exoplanets Pulsars Astronomy Eclipse Basics Blogs Outreach Programs & Events Diversity & Inclusion Explore The VLA Explorer Cosmic Coloring Compositor Milky Way Explorer Interferometry Explained ALMA Explorer NRAO Mission Control Join & Give For Scientists About NRAO Ask an Astronomer Historical Archives ACEAP Media Use Social Media Policy NRAO Library Central Development Lab Technology Transfer Careers at NRAO NRAO...