Peering into space with Nashville astronomers

Some of the most exciting research in astronomy is happening right here in Nashville.

A little more than a year ago, NASA released the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope. One of the first approved studies using this imagery was led by Vanderbilt professor Keivan Stassun, who is searching for Earth-like planets with NASA’s TESS Exoplanet Mission. And just weeks ago, a groundbreaking study demonstrating how gravitational waves permeate the universe was published by a team led by another Vanderbilt astrophysicist, Stephen Taylor.

In this episode, we’ll talk with these two scientists and meet some of the new generation of astronomers coming up the ranks. Plus, host Khalil Ekulona asks a few locals what they think of extraterrestrial life.

But first, we talk with WPLN environmental reporter Caroline Eggers about light pollution in Nashville and how new streetlights could help make the night sky darker — and better for stargazing.

Guests:

• Keivan Stassun, professor of physics and astronomy at Vanderbilt University
• Stephen Taylor, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Vanderbilt University and chair of NANOgrav group
• Polina Petrov, astrophysics graduate student at Vanderbilt University
• KeShawn Ivory, astrophysics graduate student at Vanderbilt University, co-director of events for Black in Astro

This episode was produced by Steve Haruch.

Further reading:

• Nashville streetlights are getting a makeover, and that’s (possibly) good news for stargazers (WPLN News)
• Is Earth unique? A Vanderbilt astronomer may soon find out. (WPLN News)
• International collaboration including Vanderbilt astrophysicists discover ‘forbidden planet’ (Vanderbilt University)
• Scientists Found Ripples in Space and Time. And You Have to Buy Groceries.(The Atlantic)
• Research Snapshot: Astrophysicists prepare for age of multimessenger astronomy; build galaxy catalog to study black holes (Vanderbilt University)