In an article for earth.com, Yingtian Chen, a graduate student at the University of Michigan Department of Astronomy, discusses his study on stellar streams and how they help astronomers reconstruct the Milky Way’s past and understand the galaxy’s gravitational structure. He was interviewed in the article “Astronomers discover dozens of stellar streams in the Continue Reading »
Tag: space
Human Exploration of Mars: National Academies Give NASA Their Recommendations
NASA hired the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine to identify the scientific community’s priority objectives for human study and exploration of Mars, as well as the types of measurements, samples and studies needed to complete the objectives. The Academies delivered their report to NASA in December.
Zurbuchen, Formerly of U-M, NASA, Honored by Center for Entrepreneurship
The University of Michigan’s Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) honored co-founder Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, with the presentation of a new award bearing his name, as well as the renaming of the center’s long-running Friday speaker series he launched, EHour.
“Google’s Proposed Data Center in Orbit Will Face Issues With Space Debris in an Already Crowded Orbit”
Dr. Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, an Associate Research Scientist at University of Michigan Climate and Space, wrote a piece for The Conversation titled “Google’s proposed data center in orbit will face issues with space debris in an already crowded orbit.” | December 3, 2025
U-M Joins International Consortium to Design, Build MOSAIC Instrument for Extremely Large Telescope
The European Southern Observatory, or ESO, has signed an agreement with a large international consortium that includes the University of Michigan for the design and construction of the Multi-Object Spectrograph, or MOSAIC.
“NASA Rover Makes a Shocking Discovery: Lightning on Mars”
Christopher Ruf and Nilton Renno, professors of climate and space sciences and engineering, were featured in The New York Times in the article “NASA Rover Makes a Shocking Discovery: Lightning on Mars.” The article highlights how sixteen years ago they reported electrical discharges on Mars. | November 26, 2025
“The Future of Space Commerce is Uncertain Under Trump. Here’s Why.”
Dr. Michael Liemohn, professor at U-M Climate and Space, was featured in the article, “The Future of Space Commerce is Uncertain Under Trump. Here’s Why.” for The Conversation. The article highlights how The Office of Space Commerce has been under stress in 2025 due to budget cuts and regulation hurdles. | October 27,
“Solar Sail Probe Could Detect Space Tornadoes Earlier”
Dr. Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti and Dr. Chip Manchester, of the University of Michigan Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, were quoted in an article in Futurity with the headline “Solar sail probe could detect space tornadoes earlier.” | October 8, 2025
“Earth Has a Space Tornado Problem”
Dr. Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, a research faculty member at U-M Climate and Space, was featured in the article, “Earth has a space tornado problem” for Popular Science. The article highlights how solar storms can cause their own kinds of havoc, just like severe thunderstorms on Earth. | October 6, 2025
We Need a Solar Sail Probe to Detect Space Tornadoes Earlier, More Accurately, U-M Researchers Say
Spirals of solar wind can spin off larger solar eruptions and disrupt Earth’s magnetic field, yet they are too difficult to detect with our current single-location warning system, according to a new study from the University of Michigan. But a constellation of spacecraft, including one that sails on sunlight, could help find the tornado-like features in time to protect equipment on Earth and in orbit.