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Innovative and versatile, William Klemperer devised both unorthodox experimental tools that enhanced molecular spectroscopy and a theoretical model that elucidated the paradoxical chemistry of cold interstellar clouds.
From the PhD through several post-doctoral positions, to the few permanent academic posts, the selection processes determining who will populate the upper echelons of academic astronomy might not involve just merit, hard work or dedication.
Long-term multi-wavelength monitoring of a jet from a supermassive black hole reveals that more intense periods of variability in brightness occur when the jet is pointed more directly at Earth, thereby strengthening the geometric interpretation of long-term changes in brightness.
After almost ten years in academia I took one of the best decisions of my life: to leave it. This is my experience transitioning from astronomy to data science in search of a more open, fast-paced working environment.
Leaving academia was hard, but becoming an editor for Nature Astronomy has been an unexpected delight. That is not to say it is a bed of roses; rather it is the variety and complexity of the challenges of the job that make it so enjoyable.
As a newcomer to the community, Nature Astronomy covered regional and international scientific and societal issues, discoveries and advances in its first year. We anticipate an equally if not more exciting year to come.
Education and public outreach has evolved from being part of a scientist’s duties into a distinct career path that is well-suited for astronomers. The ideal professional in this field has strong communication skills coupled with a broad research background.
The Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) satellite is currently in orbit measuring cosmic rays to research their origin and propagation and also to find possible hidden signatures of dark matter, emphasizes Principal Investigator Jin Chang.
The Antikythera Mechanism is the oldest known mechanical calculator. Imaging reveals its solar and lunar astronomical functions, and deciphering its extensive inscriptions shows that it displayed the shifting position of the planets in the zodiac.
An M = −14 r-band magnitude cutoff for satellite galaxies around isolated massive early-type galaxies indicates that the luminosity function of these satellite galaxies is largely determined by their interaction with their host’s environment.
The distribution of circularity of stellar orbits within 300 galaxies of the present-day Universe, with masses between 108.7 and 1011.9M⊙, is directly observed by the CALIFA survey and provides a benchmark for galaxy simulations.