Exploring the Origins of the Universe
Kelsey Johnson, a professor of astronomy, is driven by a deep curiosity about the universe’s most fundamental processes. Her current research focuses on extreme star clusters, known as super star clusters. By analyzing how these clusters form, Johnson hopes to gain insights about the physical conditions of the early universe.
Star formation itself is one of the most important physical processes in the universe. It shapes almost everything we see.KJKelsey Johnson
To support this work, Johnson uses advanced telescopes and collaborates with observatories like ALMA, which allows astronomers to detect and decode molecular light across space.
“Learning how to decode the light we get from molecules is an essential tool in our toolkit, which is super important,” she said. “This gives us another avenue for research.”
Despite the power of modern telescopes, Johnson notes that light pollution remains a major obstacle to astronomical discovery. In her 2019 TED Talk, “The problem of light pollution — and 5 ridiculously easy ways to fix it,” which has garnered over 2 million views, she highlighted how artificial lighting obscures our view of the stars.
“We spend almost no time outside at night and, even if we do, 80% of the world’s population lives under light-polluted skies. They can’t really see anything,” Johnson said.
Satellites add to the problem. With hundreds of thousands of new satellites proposed for low Earth orbit, Johnson warns that they could soon outnumber visible stars, create dangerous debris and block out stars and galaxies.
I worry that we as humans are losing touch with our place in the universe. And, if we don’t make the universe accessible, that’s only going to get worse.
Bringing the Cosmos to the Community
Johnson’s passion for accessibility extends beyond her research. The Dark Skies, Bright Kids program, which she founded over 15 years ago and is now managed by her graduate students, encourages local students and their families to engage with the night sky.
“Part of this is wanting to get kids, and their guardians, to go outside at night,” she said. “To get them reconnecting with the universe and remembering that we’re a part of something much bigger.”
She also emphasizes the importance of public observatories like UVA’s McCormick Observatory.
The real benefit of having the observatory on Grounds is for people to see things with their own eyes. I hope that makes it more personal to them.
A Book to Spark Wonder
Building on her research and outreach, Johnson recently published “Into the Unknown: The Quest to Understand the Mysteries of the Cosmos.” The book invites readers to explore the universe’s biggest questions and equips them with the tools to seek their own answers.
This is an invitation for people to be in a space of existential curiosity that they may not normally allow themselves to be in,” Johnson said.
While the Dark Skies, Bright Kids outreach programs focus on youth, Johnson’s book caters to adults. Like any great professor, Johnson ends her book’s journey with a bit of homework: find a truly dark night sky.
“When learning happens in a fun, hands-on way that doesn’t feel like typical ‘school,’ it can have a powerful impact. I’ve had people tell me how impactful and awe- inspiring it is in a way that they don’t expect.
This article was featured in our 2025 Annual Research Report. You can find the full report with more research stories here: https://research.virginia.edu/about/fast-facts/annual-report-2025