Astronomy Program - The University of Texas at Austin

Professor Paul Shapiro Elected to Chair American Physical Society Division of Astrophysics

Prof. Paul Shapiro

9 May 2013

Paul R. Shapiro, the Frank N. Edmonds, Jr., Regents Professor in Astronomy at The University of Texas at Austin, has been elected to a four-year term to the Chair line of the Division of Astrophysics of the American Physical Society. The American Physical Society (APS) is the principal professional society in physics in North America. Its Division of Astrophysics represents more than 2,400 scientists working in many fields of astrophysics and cosmology. APS division chairs are chosen through votes of all division members. Members elected to the Chair line progress through the top offices in the division. Shapiro will serve as Vice Chair in 2013-2014, Chair-Elect in 2014-2015, Chair in 2015-2016, and Chair Emeritus in 2016-2017. more..

American Physical Society

Texas House, Senate Honor McDonald Observatory for 75 Years of Excellence

Texas State Capitol Dome

McDonald Observatory Press Release

23 April 2013

Austin, TX --Today, the Texas House of Representatives and Senate will honor The University of Texas at Austin's McDonald Observatory for 75 years of discovery. The observatory's 75th anniversary is coming up in May 2014. A proclamation sponsored by State Representative Poncho Nevárez (District 74, which includes Jeff Davis and surrounding counties in west Texas) will be read in the House Chamber at approximately 10 a.m. At approximately 11 a.m., a resolution sponsored by State Senator José Rodríguez of El Paso will be read in the Senate Chamber. Representatives from the university will be on hand in both chambers to receive the proclamation and resolution. more..

Symposium Honoring Professor Neal Evans, "Nealfest: Observing the Universe from Molecules to Galaxies," Convenes Apr. 25-26

Prof. Neal J. Evans, II

18 April 2013

Edward Randall, Jr. M.D. Centennial Professor in Astronomy Neal J. Evans, II will be honored by students and colleagues from around the world, in a two day symposium, "Nealfest: Observing the Universe from Molecules to Galaxies," Thursday and Friday, April 25-26, at the Avaya Auditorium, ACES 2.302 [map] on the University of Texas at Austin campus. Presentations will reflect central themes of Dr. Evans' research: Protostellar Evolution and Star Formation, Interstellar Clouds and Molecular Chemistry, Star Formation Rates in the Milky Way and other Galaxies. Many former students, now representing some of the world's most prestigious astronomical institutions, will present research, including results from space observatories Spitzer and Herschel, and early results from the giant ALMA antenna array.

Nealfest: Observing the Universe from Molecules to Galaxies

Undergraduate Astronomy Major Wins UT Student Employee of the Year, Astronomy Department Outstanding Senior Award

4 April 2013

Senior Kevin Luecke, who recently won University wide recognition as Student Employee of the Year, has been awarded the Astronomy Department's Outstanding Senior Award for 2013. Kevin's exceptional contribution has grown from participation in the University's innovative Freshman Research Initiative (FRI). The Astronomy Department sponsors two FRI streams, in Cosmology and White Dwarf research. Kevin has been instrumental in the development of the White Dwarf FRI stream, mentoring fellow students, and leading FRI groups on observing runs at McDonald Observatory. A dual major in Computer Science, Kevin has written CCD camera interface code, optimized analysis software for PC graphics cards, and uses 3D hydrodynamics code to run White Dwarf convection simulations on supercomputers at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC). Kevin has worked under the supervision of Drs. Don Winget and Mike Montgomery.