Announcements 2025

10 January 2025: The January 2025 issue of The NOIRLab Mirror is now available. This biannual publication focuses on news and scientific content from across NOIRLab, which is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). Dive into stories that showcase the science, technology, and developments from the five NSF NOIRLab Programs: the Community Science and Data Center (CSDC), Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), the International Gemini Observatory, Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), and NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory Operations. This issue features a collection of science highlights spanning the breadth of NOIRLab facilities and Programs, tutorials on data reduction with the Python-based meta-package DRAGONS, a feature on IGRINS-2 — the first new facility instrument at Gemini North since 2005 — reflections on two conferences held in 2023 and 2024 aimed at discussing the future of Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs), an exciting recap of last year’s achievements for the nearly-complete Vera C. Rubin …

2 January 2025: While NOIRLab works to unravel the secrets of the Universe, you can start your own journey to explore the night sky right from your backyard. There are plenty of celestial events for skywatchers to observe every month. Below are some highlights. If you’d like to explore more on your own, we recommend Stellarium, which has a web interface and app. 3–4 January: Venus, the Moon, and Saturn Line Up On 3 January, Venus, a crescent Moon, and Saturn will line up neatly in the evening sky. Jupiter will also be visible in the east. The lineup will change on 4 January, when Saturn will be between the Moon and Venus. 9 January: The Moon and the Seven Sisters On 9 January, the Moon will be right next to the Pleiades, also known as M45 or the Seven Sisters. Unfortunately the Moon will be 83% full, which will make it difficult …

2 January 2025: Professional Development Opportunities 13 January 2025 — New Data-Driven Classroom Investigations from Rubin Observatory Time: 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. EST Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, MD Description: This in-person workshop will be offered as a Splinter Meeting at the 245th American Astronomical Society Meeting. There is no charge to attend this workshop and advance registration is not necessary. Rubin Observatory’s Education and Public Outreach team has released two new classroom-tested online investigations: Exploding Stars and Stellar Safari. They are designed to teach students about supernovae and stellar evolution through interactive data analysis. These investigations are best suited to novice learners from advanced middle school through the introductory college level (Astro 101) classes and are two of seven free, classroom-ready lessons. The accompanying workshop fosters a supportive environment to enhance teaching practices, encourage reflection, and promote open discourse. Read the full description here. 25 January 2025 …

2 January 2025: Vilma Tapia Pizarro from Valentín Letelier School in La Serena is the winner of the 2024 AURA-Padre Picetti Award, an annual initiative by AURA Observatory since 2014 that seeks to recognize Chilean teachers focused on science and astronomy, as well as encouraging the training of new generations of scientists. Tapia has had a professional career of more than 40 years, most of which has been spent in the north of Chile, mainly in Antofagasta and now in La Serena. She is a general teacher and has a Master’s degree in Educational Sciences, and a postgraduate degree in Natural Sciences. She has completed internships and training in Astronomy Didactics at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, and in Active Methodologies in Natural Sciences at the University of Northern Iowa in the U.S. Additionally, she was recognized as a teacher of the Red de Maestros de Maestros (Masters of Masters Network) of the …

2 January 2025: The countdown is on for Hawai‘i Island’s largest astronomy education and outreach program! Journey Through the Universe is returning for its 21st year in Hilo this February. We are excited to connect with local schools and partners during a week of engaging in-person classroom sessions packed with hands-on STEM activities. Students will explore STEM careers and learn the latest in astronomical research, including discoveries made from Maunakea. To learn more about the program, visit the Journey webpage. To help us kick off Journey Week we invite you to join us at a star party from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. HST on 1 February at Liliʻuokalani Gardens. In partnership with ʻOhana Kilo Hōkū, Gemini/NOIRLab and other Maunakea Observatories will host a night of stargazing and storytelling for the whole ʻohana to enjoy. Not able to attend in person? Consider learning more about astronomy on Maunakea and the night sky from …

2 January 2025: The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) is an advanced spectrograph capable of measuring the redshifts of 5000 galaxies simultaneously. DESI is probing dark energy — the mysterious force that is causing the expansion of the Universe to accelerate. With such a vast amount of data, other types of analysis can be done as well. Using the first year of DESI data (containing nearly six million galaxies spanning over 11 billion years of the history of the Universe), researchers created the largest 3D map of the Universe ever. Analyzing this map allowed researchers to test Einstein’s general theory of relativity over vast cosmic distances more precisely than has ever been possible. They found that the observed structure of the Universe matches very well with Einstein’s predictions of how gravity behaves at large scales, and their results place limits on other theories of gravity that have been proposed to explain dark energy. …

2 January 2025: The International Astronomical Union (IAU) divides the sky into 88 official constellations. The newly launched 88 Constellations project from NSF NOIRLab brings together high-resolution images and educational resources to help bring the 88 constellations into your classroom. German astrophotographer Eckhard Slawik meticulously photographed the 88 constellations on film. The final images are each composed of two separate exposures — one with a diffuser and one without to bring out the natural colors of the stars. NOIRLab staff added information on the constellations, their history, and interesting objects visible in each constellation. This resource would complement classroom instruction relating to observing motions and patterns of the night sky, designing solutions for light pollution, and preserving the dark sky. Classroom activities can also be found at globeatnight.org. For more information, read the full announcement here.

2 January 2025: Where Stars Meet Science Sitting at 2647 meters (8684 feet) on Cerro Pachón in Chile, NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory is situated at one of the best places for observing the night sky. The site offers high peaks and dry air, and averages about 300 clear nights a year. The high altitude places the observatory above more layers of the Earth’s atmosphere, providing clearer images. The closest city, La Serena, is located about 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the observatory. This is far enough away from city lights but close enough to have access to essential infrastructure and support. Visit the Rubin in Chile webpage for more information and resources about how the site was selected for the observatory. A Milestone Moment The Rubin Education and Public Outreach Team traveled to Chile for two weeks in November. The trip included meeting with various astronomy organizations and touring facilities in Santiago, …

2 January 2025: In 2024 we celebrated many exciting education and engagement milestones. The 20th anniversary of Journey Through the Universe engaged over 4000 students in STEM activities on Hawai‘i Island. In Chile, Viaje al Universo brought astronomy into classrooms, inspiring the next generation of scientists! We hosted the much-anticipated Tohono O’odham Open Night at NSF Kitt Peak National Observatory honoring the longstanding relationship between the Tohono O’odham Nation and the astronomical community at Kitt Peak. Additionally, NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory launched Stellar Safari, a new education investigation using real data to explore stars in their natural environments to discover their properties, distance, and age. We are excited about the new opportunities and milestones 2025 will bring! Together in learning, Justine SchaenEditorEmail: education@noirlab.edu