UVA astronomer Jonathan Tan and an international team used ALMA and JWST data spanning nearly eight years to observe two massive young stars forming a binary system. Contrary to disk-fragmentation theory, misaligned disks and elongated orbits reveal a rare core merger, offering new constraints for models of massive star formation and stellar evolution.
NASA has advanced PRIMA, a far-infrared space telescope, into its next development phase, with UVA astronomers playing key roles. Professor Jason Glenn led the mission’s concept study, while Ilse Cleeves serves as co-investigator. Targeted for 2033 launch, PRIMA will explore planet formation, black hole growth and cosmic dust, marking UVA’s expansion into space-based astronomy.
UVA materials science professors, led by Liqin Ke with co-investigators Jerry Floro and Lin Zhou, have received a $3 million ARPA-E award to discover new rare-earth permanent magnets. Part of the MAGNITO program, the multidisciplinary project combines computation, AI, and advanced characterization to find breakthrough materials strengthening U.S. manufacturing and critical-mineral supply chains.
UVA astronomer Mojgan Aghakhanloo and collaborators have uncovered the source of AT 2016blu’s repeated “supernova impostor” outbursts: a hidden neutron star or black hole siphoning material from the massive luminous blue variable star. Using Chandra X-ray observations timed to a predicted eruption, the team achieved the first X-ray detection of such a binary system.
UVA has launched 15 inaugural Research Hubs, chosen from ninety proposals, spanning fields like hypersonic technologies, quantum photonics, aging, health policy, AI, and supply chains. Open to faculty across career stages and schools, these hubs foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, generating scholarship and partnerships that strengthen UVA’s competitiveness for major research funding opportunities.
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