Our ability to uncover ever-expanding astronomical insights is within grasp. Your gift today will ensure that the public is there with our students and scientists every step of the way.
Right now, UC Observatory scientific teams are creating the next generation of astronomical instruments--turning today’s greatest scientific questions into future answers. Like your smartphone, a telescope is only as “smart” as the apps you install. Similarly, new instruments allow scientists to unlock future astronomical discoveries by fine-tuning how they are able to capture and analyze light entering our telescopes from across the universe. Your gift will allow the public to witness these world-class instruments from inception to first-light, culminating in a spectacular time-lapse video.
For example, SCALES is an instrument designed to maximize our ability to detect and characterize directly-imaged exoplanets by combining the two most successful methods for imaging exoplanets: thermal infrared imaging, which detects exoplanets at wavelengths where they are bright, and integral-field spectroscopy, which distinguishes exoplanets from residual starlight based on the shapes of their spectral energy distributions. New video equipment will record the incredibly creative technical project and allow the instrumentation team, made up of undergraduates, graduate students, post-docs, and collaborating faculty members from across UC Observatories to give real-time updates and insights into this exciting project.
Rank | State | Gifts |
---|---|---|
1 | CA | 13 |
2 | AA | 0 |
2 | AE | 0 |