PI Dr. Noemi Pinilla-Alonso, along with Co-Is Dr. Charles Schambeau, Dr. Mário De Prá, and astronomy doctoral student Ana Carolina de Souza Feliciano, were awarded funding for their research project by the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and the Provost Office SEED funding program. All of the research teams awarded received up to Read More …
The satellite’s mission is to capture video of small particles colliding in microgravity, which will help scientists understand the earliest stages of planet formation. BY ROBERT WELLS | JANUARY 19, 2021 University of Central Florida planetary science continues its ascent as a leader in space research with another high-profile flight, this time aboard Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne, which Read More …
Although the researchers used Arecibo Observatory data, they are no longer able to make observations using the observatory since it collapsed in December following broken cables in August and November. BY ROBERT WELLS | JANUARY 11, 2021 Data from Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico has been used to help detect the first possible hints of low-frequency disturbances Read More …
Dr. Julie Brisset has been selected as one of Icarus’ newest Editorial Board member (Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society). Dr. Brisset works on dust behavior under microgravity conditions for the study of planet formation and regolith. We congratulate her on yet another achievement as she continues to excel in her field.
The papers provide an inventory of some of the greatest discoveries of the past decade and suggest targets for the next generation telescope, scheduled to launch in 2021. BY ZENAIDA GONZALEZ KOTALA | OCTOBER 8, 2020 To understand the significance of the Spitzer Space Telescope on the understanding of our solar system, think of what Read More …
Estela Fernández-Valenzuela, a preeminent post doctoral researcher at the Florida Space Institute wins a highly competitive NASA grant. BY ZENAIDA GONZALEZ KOTALA | SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 Florida Space Institute Planetary Scientist Estela Fernández-Valenzuela has been awarded a $315,700 NASA grant to use modern day technology to analyze one of the oldest and least understood objects of Read More …
The National Science Foundation facility, managed by the University of Central Florida, determines that a newly discovered asteroid won’t threaten Earth. BY ZENAIDA GONZALEZ KOTALA | AUGUST 6, 2020 The Earth has one less asteroid to worry about thanks to the research of an international team of scientists at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. Asteroid 2020 Read More …
The results may help future missions land on and sample asteroids. BY SIMONE ROUSSEAU | JULY 14, 2020 UCF planetary scientist Adrienne Dove and a team of students have teamed up with NASA’s Johnson Space Center to examine data on an asteroid experiment years in the making. The work is funded by a recently announced $200,000 grant Read More …
For June 30’s day of observance, here’s a special nod to the eight asteroids making waves in the solar system — just like their UCF faculty namesakes. BY SIMONE ROUSSEAU | JUNE 30, 2020 Imagine a celestial body larger than the Statue of Liberty skyrocketing past Earth with enough energy to flatten a city. Since 2011 this Read More …
A UCF team creates a geological model that will give prospectors a better idea of where the moon may hide its water ice, which may play a role in future human exploration of the solar system. BY ZENAIDA GONZALEZ KOTALA | JUNE 1, 2020 | https://www.ucf.edu/news/ucf-provides-maps-ice-favorability-index-to-companies-looking-to-mine-the-moon/ The 49ers who panned for gold during California’s Gold Rush didn’t Read More …