CIERA
@nuciera.bsky.social
We're Northwestern University's Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics! Currently celebrating our 15th anniversary. Learn more about us at linktr.ee/nuciera
We know Vicky Kalogera as a world-renowned astrophysicist and CIERA director—but her new @HerStoriesPod interview reveals so much more.
From hearing the universe for the first time to finding joy in discovery, this conversation is incredible.
🎧 bit.ly/3XuL1kJ
From hearing the universe for the first time to finding joy in discovery, this conversation is incredible.
🎧 bit.ly/3XuL1kJ
November 14, 2025 at 9:57 PM
We know Vicky Kalogera as a world-renowned astrophysicist and CIERA director—but her new @HerStoriesPod interview reveals so much more.
From hearing the universe for the first time to finding joy in discovery, this conversation is incredible.
🎧 bit.ly/3XuL1kJ
From hearing the universe for the first time to finding joy in discovery, this conversation is incredible.
🎧 bit.ly/3XuL1kJ
Postdoc application deadlines are approaching, start your CIERA journey today! Learn more and apply → bit.ly/48W5PbL
November 12, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Postdoc application deadlines are approaching, start your CIERA journey today! Learn more and apply → bit.ly/48W5PbL
Two cosmic collisions. And hints of second-generation black holes born from earlier mergers. New results from @LIGO @ego_virgo @KAGRA_PR with @NorthwesternU’s #CIERA scientists reveal the most precise tests yet of general relativity. bit.ly/47LIIi0
Pair of black hole mergers sheds new light on their formation, evolution
New observations of extreme deep-space collisions continue to confirm predictions of Einstein’s theory of general relativity
bit.ly
November 11, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Two cosmic collisions. And hints of second-generation black holes born from earlier mergers. New results from @LIGO @ego_virgo @KAGRA_PR with @NorthwesternU’s #CIERA scientists reveal the most precise tests yet of general relativity. bit.ly/47LIIi0
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Pieter van Dokkum, one of the world’s most visionary astrophysicists, will join @NorthwesternU as a new member of CIERA beginning 1/1/27! He brings innovations like the Dragonfly Telephoto Array & MOTHRA telescope. bit.ly/3JIjkl9
#astrophysics #research
#astrophysics #research
Renowned astrophysicist Pieter van Dokkum to join Northwestern
Astrophysicist Pieter van Dokkum, a world-renowned expert in galaxy formation and evolution and a visionary in astronomical instrumentation and telescopes, will join Northwestern University as the Kim...
bit.ly
November 6, 2025 at 8:43 PM
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Pieter van Dokkum, one of the world’s most visionary astrophysicists, will join @NorthwesternU as a new member of CIERA beginning 1/1/27! He brings innovations like the Dragonfly Telephoto Array & MOTHRA telescope. bit.ly/3JIjkl9
#astrophysics #research
#astrophysics #research
Congratulations Nico Bers on receiving an Honorable Mention for the 2025 USRA Distinguished Undergraduate Awards! Nico conducted research in CIERA Director Vicky Kalogera’s group with mentor Sylvia Biscoveanu. 🔗 tinyurl.com/8j2664ht
Northwestern’s Nico Bers receives Honorable Mention for the 2025 USRA Distinguished Undergraduate Awards
Nico Bers, a junior physics major with a concentration in astronomy has received an Honorable Mention for the 2025 Universities Space Research Association (USRA) Distinguished Undergraduate Awards.
...
tinyurl.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Congratulations Nico Bers on receiving an Honorable Mention for the 2025 USRA Distinguished Undergraduate Awards! Nico conducted research in CIERA Director Vicky Kalogera’s group with mentor Sylvia Biscoveanu. 🔗 tinyurl.com/8j2664ht
Don’t miss Astronomer Evenings this Friday, November 7! Our fall/winter hours go into effect this week so we'll kick things off at 8pm.
Talks:
How the Elements Are Made by Caroline von Raesfeld (PhD student)
Exploring the Universe with Virtual Galaxies by Elizabeth Moné (Grad student)
Talks:
How the Elements Are Made by Caroline von Raesfeld (PhD student)
Exploring the Universe with Virtual Galaxies by Elizabeth Moné (Grad student)
November 5, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Don’t miss Astronomer Evenings this Friday, November 7! Our fall/winter hours go into effect this week so we'll kick things off at 8pm.
Talks:
How the Elements Are Made by Caroline von Raesfeld (PhD student)
Exploring the Universe with Virtual Galaxies by Elizabeth Moné (Grad student)
Talks:
How the Elements Are Made by Caroline von Raesfeld (PhD student)
Exploring the Universe with Virtual Galaxies by Elizabeth Moné (Grad student)
Tomorrow’s the day! Submit your Brinson Prize Fellowship application by Nov 6 at 6 PM (ET).CIERA | Northwestern is also accepting applications for other fellowships and associate positions: ciera.northwestern.edu/opportunities
#Postdoc #Astrophysics #CIERA #Northwestern #STEMCareers #AstronomyJobs
#Postdoc #Astrophysics #CIERA #Northwestern #STEMCareers #AstronomyJobs
November 5, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Tomorrow’s the day! Submit your Brinson Prize Fellowship application by Nov 6 at 6 PM (ET).CIERA | Northwestern is also accepting applications for other fellowships and associate positions: ciera.northwestern.edu/opportunities
#Postdoc #Astrophysics #CIERA #Northwestern #STEMCareers #AstronomyJobs
#Postdoc #Astrophysics #CIERA #Northwestern #STEMCareers #AstronomyJobs
🚀 250+ students. 1 mission: Solve real-world problems using NASA data.
@CIERA_NU helped host #SpaceAppsChicago—the biggest U.S. chapter of NASA’s global hackathon! 💻🌍
Huge thanks to all the CIERA mentors who inspired the next gen of scientists! 💫
tinyurl.com/4t967bxp
@CIERA_NU helped host #SpaceAppsChicago—the biggest U.S. chapter of NASA’s global hackathon! 💻🌍
Huge thanks to all the CIERA mentors who inspired the next gen of scientists! 💫
tinyurl.com/4t967bxp
Students tackle real-world problems at CIERA-hosted Space Apps Challenge
More than 250 students—ranging from grade schoolers to graduate students—gathered both in-person and online at Chicago’s 1871 on Oct. 4–5, 2025, for the city’s chapter of the NASA International Space...
tinyurl.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:52 PM
🚀 250+ students. 1 mission: Solve real-world problems using NASA data.
@CIERA_NU helped host #SpaceAppsChicago—the biggest U.S. chapter of NASA’s global hackathon! 💻🌍
Huge thanks to all the CIERA mentors who inspired the next gen of scientists! 💫
tinyurl.com/4t967bxp
@CIERA_NU helped host #SpaceAppsChicago—the biggest U.S. chapter of NASA’s global hackathon! 💻🌍
Huge thanks to all the CIERA mentors who inspired the next gen of scientists! 💫
tinyurl.com/4t967bxp
🎉 Huge congratulations to Prof. Giles Novak of @CIERA_NU on being named a 2025 @APSphysics Fellow! Honored for pioneering work in submillimeter polarimetry, star formation, and outstanding mentorship. A well-deserved recognition! 🌟
🔗https://tinyurl.com/y5ef2cfk
#Astrophysics
🔗https://tinyurl.com/y5ef2cfk
#Astrophysics
October 15, 2025 at 9:41 PM
🎉 Huge congratulations to Prof. Giles Novak of @CIERA_NU on being named a 2025 @APSphysics Fellow! Honored for pioneering work in submillimeter polarimetry, star formation, and outstanding mentorship. A well-deserved recognition! 🌟
🔗https://tinyurl.com/y5ef2cfk
#Astrophysics
🔗https://tinyurl.com/y5ef2cfk
#Astrophysics
Apply Now for Prestigious Postdoctoral Opportunities at CIERA!
Join a leading-edge, interdisciplinary astrophysics research community at Northwestern University.
Learn more and apply: bit.ly/48W5PbL
Join a leading-edge, interdisciplinary astrophysics research community at Northwestern University.
Learn more and apply: bit.ly/48W5PbL
October 15, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Apply Now for Prestigious Postdoctoral Opportunities at CIERA!
Join a leading-edge, interdisciplinary astrophysics research community at Northwestern University.
Learn more and apply: bit.ly/48W5PbL
Join a leading-edge, interdisciplinary astrophysics research community at Northwestern University.
Learn more and apply: bit.ly/48W5PbL
🚀 350+ filled Ryan Auditorium for CIERA’s Annual Public Lecture! Harvard’s Chris Stubbs spoke on the groundbreaking Vera C. Rubin Observatory, now imaging the sky with a 3,200MP camera. A thrilling glimpse into the future of astrophysics! 🌌 #RubinObs #CIERA #DarkEnergy
bit.ly/46RrUaa
bit.ly/46RrUaa
A New Eye on the Universe: Harvard Physicist Christopher Stubbs Unveils the Promise of the Rubin Observatory at CIERA Annual Public Lecture
On Friday, October 3, 2025, a record-breaking audience of 350 filled Northwestern’s Ryan Auditorium for the Annual Public Lecture hosted by the Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in...
bit.ly
October 15, 2025 at 5:49 PM
🚀 350+ filled Ryan Auditorium for CIERA’s Annual Public Lecture! Harvard’s Chris Stubbs spoke on the groundbreaking Vera C. Rubin Observatory, now imaging the sky with a 3,200MP camera. A thrilling glimpse into the future of astrophysics! 🌌 #RubinObs #CIERA #DarkEnergy
bit.ly/46RrUaa
bit.ly/46RrUaa
🚀@NorthwesternU postdoc George Paul Winstone and collaborators have been awarded a subcontract under NASA’s NIAC Phase II program for the TFINER project — a bold new concept to power deep-space missions using thin-film nuclear materials.
🔗 bit.ly/4nJ3gyq #NASA
🔗 bit.ly/4nJ3gyq #NASA
Northwestern Joins Draper Lab’s NASA NIAC Phase II Project on Next-Generation Space Propulsion
Northwestern postdoctoral researcher George Paul Winstone and collaborators have been awarded a subcontract as part of a The NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase II study led by Jim Bickford...
bit.ly
October 14, 2025 at 5:01 PM
🚀@NorthwesternU postdoc George Paul Winstone and collaborators have been awarded a subcontract under NASA’s NIAC Phase II program for the TFINER project — a bold new concept to power deep-space missions using thin-film nuclear materials.
🔗 bit.ly/4nJ3gyq #NASA
🔗 bit.ly/4nJ3gyq #NASA
CIERA is Now Accepting Applications for 3 Prestigious Postdoctoral Opportunities! Join a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community working at the forefront of astrophysics. Learn more and apply: bit.ly/48W5PbL
#Postdoc #Astrophysics #AstronomyJobs
#Postdoc #Astrophysics #AstronomyJobs
October 8, 2025 at 6:56 PM
CIERA is Now Accepting Applications for 3 Prestigious Postdoctoral Opportunities! Join a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community working at the forefront of astrophysics. Learn more and apply: bit.ly/48W5PbL
#Postdoc #Astrophysics #AstronomyJobs
#Postdoc #Astrophysics #AstronomyJobs
🚨 BREAKTHROUGH ASTRONOMY ALERT! CIERA's Charlie Kilpatrick and Aswin Suresh have used the James Webb Space Telescope to spot something never seen before: The reddest, dustiest red supergiant star ever caught right before it exploded. bit.ly/4o6nuBV
Webb Telescope unveils doomed star hidden in dust
A Northwestern University-led team of astronomers has captured the most detailed glimpse yet of a doomed star before it exploded.
Using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the international team...
bit.ly
October 8, 2025 at 6:27 PM
🚨 BREAKTHROUGH ASTRONOMY ALERT! CIERA's Charlie Kilpatrick and Aswin Suresh have used the James Webb Space Telescope to spot something never seen before: The reddest, dustiest red supergiant star ever caught right before it exploded. bit.ly/4o6nuBV
A decades-old mystery may be solved—CIERA's Elena Murchikova & Mark Gorski found signs of a long-sought plasma wind from the Milky Way’s black hole using ALMA data. A major step in understanding our galaxy’s heart. 🖤🌌
Read more: bit.ly/4mPZ0fr
#CIERA #Astrophysics
Read more: bit.ly/4mPZ0fr
#CIERA #Astrophysics
Missing wind from Milky Way’s giant black hole finally found
Astronomers may have glimpsed a long-predicted wind of gas blowing out from Sagittarius A*
www.science.org
October 7, 2025 at 11:04 PM
A decades-old mystery may be solved—CIERA's Elena Murchikova & Mark Gorski found signs of a long-sought plasma wind from the Milky Way’s black hole using ALMA data. A major step in understanding our galaxy’s heart. 🖤🌌
Read more: bit.ly/4mPZ0fr
#CIERA #Astrophysics
Read more: bit.ly/4mPZ0fr
#CIERA #Astrophysics
Last month, @CIERA_NU hosted the first-ever POSYDON School—training 55 scientists from around the world in modeling binary stars & black hole mergers using the cutting-edge POSYDON software.
Read the story: bit.ly/46HDPHE
#GravitationalWaves #OpenScience #SkAIInstitute
Read the story: bit.ly/46HDPHE
#GravitationalWaves #OpenScience #SkAIInstitute
CIERA Hosts First Posydon School, Training the Next Generation of Binary Star Modelers
Last month, an international group of astronomers gathered for the inaugural POSYDON School, an intensive training program dedicated to POSYDON, a groundbreaking software developed by the Center for I...
bit.ly
October 7, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Last month, @CIERA_NU hosted the first-ever POSYDON School—training 55 scientists from around the world in modeling binary stars & black hole mergers using the cutting-edge POSYDON software.
Read the story: bit.ly/46HDPHE
#GravitationalWaves #OpenScience #SkAIInstitute
Read the story: bit.ly/46HDPHE
#GravitationalWaves #OpenScience #SkAIInstitute
Congrats to Dr. Ore Gottlieb, former @NUCIERA postdoc & 2025 #BlavatnikAwards Finalist! Honored for paradigm-shifting work on neutron star mergers. Ore is a Flatiron Fellow & joins @MITPhysics in 2026. bit.ly/46W1eUC #Astrophysics #BlavatnikAwards #FlatironInstitute
Former CIERA Postdoctoral Researcher Ore Gottlieb honored as finalist of the 2025 Blavatnik Regional Awards for Young Scientists
Ore Gottlieb, PhD, a former CIERA postdoctoral researcher, will be honored today as a Finalist of the 2025 Blavatnik Regional Awards for Young Scientists. The Blavatnik Awards honor outstanding postdo...
bit.ly
October 7, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Congrats to Dr. Ore Gottlieb, former @NUCIERA postdoc & 2025 #BlavatnikAwards Finalist! Honored for paradigm-shifting work on neutron star mergers. Ore is a Flatiron Fellow & joins @MITPhysics in 2026. bit.ly/46W1eUC #Astrophysics #BlavatnikAwards #FlatironInstitute
Congratulations to CIERA graduate student Piramon Kumnurdmanee, who has been named one of just 37 The Quad Fellowship recipients — selected from nearly 2,000 applicants across Australia, Japan, Southeast Asia, and the U.S.! bit.ly/48SdwQd
#QuadFellowship #Astrophysics
#QuadFellowship #Astrophysics
Piramon Kumnurdmanee Awarded Quad Fellowship
On August 4, CIERA graduate student Piramon Kumnurdmanee was selected by the Institute of International Education (IIE) as one of 37 Quad Fellowship recipients out of nearly 2,000 applicants from Aust...
bit.ly
October 6, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Congratulations to CIERA graduate student Piramon Kumnurdmanee, who has been named one of just 37 The Quad Fellowship recipients — selected from nearly 2,000 applicants across Australia, Japan, Southeast Asia, and the U.S.! bit.ly/48SdwQd
#QuadFellowship #Astrophysics
#QuadFellowship #Astrophysics
We're thrilled to host Harvard physicist Chris Stubbs for our SOLD OUT Annual Public Lecture tonight! 🌌 Catch the livestream: ciera.northwestern.edu/ciera-livest...
Stubbs helped shape the Rubin Observatory + leads cutting-edge gravity research! 🚀 #astronomy #cosmology #gravitation #particlephysics
Stubbs helped shape the Rubin Observatory + leads cutting-edge gravity research! 🚀 #astronomy #cosmology #gravitation #particlephysics
October 3, 2025 at 3:05 PM
We're thrilled to host Harvard physicist Chris Stubbs for our SOLD OUT Annual Public Lecture tonight! 🌌 Catch the livestream: ciera.northwestern.edu/ciera-livest...
Stubbs helped shape the Rubin Observatory + leads cutting-edge gravity research! 🚀 #astronomy #cosmology #gravitation #particlephysics
Stubbs helped shape the Rubin Observatory + leads cutting-edge gravity research! 🚀 #astronomy #cosmology #gravitation #particlephysics
In November 1887, Northwestern’s astronomy journey began with the Dearborn Telescope.
135+ years later, @nuciera.bsky.social leads one of the top 10 astronomy programs in the nation.
🔭 Explore the rich history:
sites.northwestern.edu/highlightsof...
#CIERA #Northwestern #Astronomy #SpaceScience
135+ years later, @nuciera.bsky.social leads one of the top 10 astronomy programs in the nation.
🔭 Explore the rich history:
sites.northwestern.edu/highlightsof...
#CIERA #Northwestern #Astronomy #SpaceScience
October 2, 2025 at 4:14 PM
In November 1887, Northwestern’s astronomy journey began with the Dearborn Telescope.
135+ years later, @nuciera.bsky.social leads one of the top 10 astronomy programs in the nation.
🔭 Explore the rich history:
sites.northwestern.edu/highlightsof...
#CIERA #Northwestern #Astronomy #SpaceScience
135+ years later, @nuciera.bsky.social leads one of the top 10 astronomy programs in the nation.
🔭 Explore the rich history:
sites.northwestern.edu/highlightsof...
#CIERA #Northwestern #Astronomy #SpaceScience
TONIGHT at 9 PM at Dearborn Observatory: Divjyot Singh (graduate student) will talk about the solar eclipse and give a gravitational waves demo, followed by Ethan Ro (undergraduate) presenting on the Search for (extraterrestrial) Life. Stay for telescope viewing!
September 26, 2025 at 6:27 PM
TONIGHT at 9 PM at Dearborn Observatory: Divjyot Singh (graduate student) will talk about the solar eclipse and give a gravitational waves demo, followed by Ethan Ro (undergraduate) presenting on the Search for (extraterrestrial) Life. Stay for telescope viewing!
Astrophysicists worldwide are gathering at the first POSYDON School at SkAI to dive into POSYDON v2—a cutting-edge binary population synthesis code. This 4-day workshop helps researchers integrate POSYDON into their work. Learn more: posydon.org
#astrophysics #astronomy #CIERA #SkAI #POSYDON
#astrophysics #astronomy #CIERA #SkAI #POSYDON
September 23, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Astrophysicists worldwide are gathering at the first POSYDON School at SkAI to dive into POSYDON v2—a cutting-edge binary population synthesis code. This 4-day workshop helps researchers integrate POSYDON into their work. Learn more: posydon.org
#astrophysics #astronomy #CIERA #SkAI #POSYDON
#astrophysics #astronomy #CIERA #SkAI #POSYDON
New CIERA PhD student Dean Kousiounelos was the focus of a story by his alma mater Lake Forest College. Dean blends art & science to explore binary stars + gravitational waves. Read the story: bit.ly/4pHsUoS
#NSFGRFP #CIERA #Astrophysics
#NSFGRFP #CIERA #Astrophysics
September 23, 2025 at 2:34 PM
New CIERA PhD student Dean Kousiounelos was the focus of a story by his alma mater Lake Forest College. Dean blends art & science to explore binary stars + gravitational waves. Read the story: bit.ly/4pHsUoS
#NSFGRFP #CIERA #Astrophysics
#NSFGRFP #CIERA #Astrophysics
Where are all the black holes?
CIERA’s Dr. Lena Murchikova is featured in the Sept. issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine for her work on detecting isolated black holes in our galaxy.
Read more 👉 bit.ly/4nV7sen
#Astrophysics #BlackHoles #CIERA
CIERA’s Dr. Lena Murchikova is featured in the Sept. issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine for her work on detecting isolated black holes in our galaxy.
Read more 👉 bit.ly/4nV7sen
#Astrophysics #BlackHoles #CIERA
September 17, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Where are all the black holes?
CIERA’s Dr. Lena Murchikova is featured in the Sept. issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine for her work on detecting isolated black holes in our galaxy.
Read more 👉 bit.ly/4nV7sen
#Astrophysics #BlackHoles #CIERA
CIERA’s Dr. Lena Murchikova is featured in the Sept. issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine for her work on detecting isolated black holes in our galaxy.
Read more 👉 bit.ly/4nV7sen
#Astrophysics #BlackHoles #CIERA
Gravitational-wave scientists — including
@NorthwesternU
astrophysicists — have verified Stephen Hawking’s black hole area theorem for the first time! A decade after the first detection, LIGO captured its clearest signal yet. bit.ly/4nwWStt
#BlackHoles #Hawking #LIGO
@NorthwesternU
astrophysicists — have verified Stephen Hawking’s black hole area theorem for the first time! A decade after the first detection, LIGO captured its clearest signal yet. bit.ly/4nwWStt
#BlackHoles #Hawking #LIGO
Gravitational-wave detection verifies Stephen Hawking’s theorem
Nearly a decade has passed since an international team of scientists, including Northwestern University astrophysicists, first detected gravitational waves — a historic discovery that confirmed Albert...
bit.ly
September 15, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Gravitational-wave scientists — including
@NorthwesternU
astrophysicists — have verified Stephen Hawking’s black hole area theorem for the first time! A decade after the first detection, LIGO captured its clearest signal yet. bit.ly/4nwWStt
#BlackHoles #Hawking #LIGO
@NorthwesternU
astrophysicists — have verified Stephen Hawking’s black hole area theorem for the first time! A decade after the first detection, LIGO captured its clearest signal yet. bit.ly/4nwWStt
#BlackHoles #Hawking #LIGO