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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 17h

UPDATE: The NSF Very Large Array Open House planned for Saturday, October 10, 2026, is canceled due to road damage from recent flooding and the subsequent closure of St. Rt. 60. Read more: public.nrao.edu/news/fall-op...

public.nrao.edu

CANCELED: NSF VLA Open House, Sat. Oct. 10th, 2026 - National Radio Astronomy Observatory

NRAO's Fall Open House at the Very Large Array on Oct. 10, 2026 has been cancelled due to road closures from recent flooding.

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

#ThrowbackThursday Design ➡️ Reality Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) design sketch (1986-1987) and a completed telescope at the VLBA site in Owens Valley, California. 🗓️ Countdown: 47 days til NRAO’s 70th anniversary! #NRAOat70 #NRAO70years

Black and white design sketch of a Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) antenna, circa 1986-1987.

Photo of the VLBA radio telescope stationed in Owens Valley, California. White-topped mountains are visible in the background.

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

What’s new with the Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA)? 📡 We’ve recently reached some milestones for “first fringes” – meaning successful correlation, combining signals from 2+ separate antennas. 📸 Credit: Scott Broadwell More ⤵️ #ngVLA #Astronomy #RadioAstronomy

Astrophotography image of the ngVLA prototype antenna beneath a darkening blue sky, with stars just becoming visible.

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The Fiesta is quickly approaching! 🎉 Please join us for the VLA’s free Fall Open House on Saturday, October 10 as we celebrate 70 years of NRAO. 🗓️ Saturday, October 10 ⏰ 9 AM - 4 PM 📍 NRAO Very Large Array - Magdalena, NM Read more: public.nrao.edu/news/fall-open-hous…

Background: Photo of several large radio telescopes in a row, with a tour group in the foreground. Text: NSF NRAO Very Large Array to Host Fall Open House October 10.

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

🚨 ALMA Ambassadors (Cycle 14, 2027) application deadline approaching! 🚨 Applications are due October 2, 2026. The #ALMA Ambassadors program provides training and funding to early career researchers interested in sharing their ALMA/interferometry expertise at their own institutions. #RadioAstronomy

bit.ly

ALMA Ambassadors Program - Cycle 14

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

#ThrowbackThursday RM03 moves to the high site! On September 23, 2009 a transporter carried Japanese Mitsubishi antenna RM03 from the ALMA Operations Support Facility to its final position on the high site on the Chajnantor Plain - the first #ALMA antenna on the site.

A large white radio astronomy antenna on top of a yellow transporter, moving across the desert landscape at ALMA Observatory.

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

“We are experiencing a second golden age of radio astronomy, enabled by technology-driven advances associated with the fourth industrial revolution.” NSF NRAO’s director Anthony Beasley contributed to this International Telecommunication Union (ITU) article ⤵️ #RadioAstronomy #Astronomy

itu.int

The new golden age of radio astronomy - ITU

According to P.A. Woudt and A.J. Beasley, we are experiencing a second golden age of radio astronomy, enabled by technology-driven advances.

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Reposted by National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO

VisualizeAstronomy @vizastro.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

This week @thenrao.bsky.social is at GNU Radio Con 2026. Discussing Software Defined Radio applications, and FPGA and engineering opportunities with the NRAO Central Development Laboratory. events.gnuradio.org/event/28/pag... #science #astronomy #gnuradio #softwaredefinedradio #sdr #rtlsdr

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Happy first day of Fall! 🍁 Today (September 22) is the Autumnal Equinox. 📍 Green Bank Observatory - Pocahontas County, WV 📸 Credit: NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO/J.Malusky

Photo of the Green Bank Telescope from afar, with end-of-season wildflowers in the foreground.

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

#Astronomy News You May Have Missed ⤵️ Twisted Physics: Astronomers Solve 30-Year-Old Stellar Mystery #ALMA Observations of a Protostars’ Twisted Outflow Finally Shows the Magnetic Fields Scientists Predicted — But Couldn’t Prove bit.ly/4xD8Maz

public.nrao.edu

Twisted Physics: Astronomers Solve 30-Year-Old Stellar Mystery - National Radio Astronomy Observatory

The latest news from the NSF's National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

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Reposted by National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO

NSF-Simons AI Institute for Cosmic Origins (CosmicAI) @nsfsimonscosmicai.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

CosmicAI Lightning Talk! Omkar Bait is a CosmicAI Postdoc at NSF @thenrao.bsky.social Listen to the talk “Bayesian Radio Spectral Modeling of Extreme Starburst Galaxies” www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b34...

youtube.com

Bayesian Radio Spectral Modeling of Extreme Starburst Galaxies with Omkar Bait

YouTube video by NSF-Simons AI Institute for Cosmic Origins

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

#ThrowbackThursday Design ➡️ Reality 1970s-era Very Large Array (VLA) drawings of array, site plans, and model of antenna. 🗓️ Countdown: 61 days til NRAO’s 70th anniversary! #NRAOat70 #NRAO70years

1970s-era drawing of the Very Large Array in the desert from a bird’s-eye view.

1970s-era blueprint of the Very Large Array, labeled Central Site Plan.

Small model of a single Very Large Array radio telescope on tracks.

Photo of the Very Large Array in its signature Y-shaped configuration.

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

The Very Large Array … in Minecraft! ⛏️🧱 Built by one of our fans. 📸 Credit: Jaso Geoffrey Danielson, @‌wonker67079 on Instagram

Screenshot of the Very Large Array built in Minecraft, showing telescopes in the desert at sunset.

Screenshot of the Very Large Array built in Minecraft, showing a closeup of an antenna dish.

Screenshot of the Very Large Array built in Minecraft, showing telescopes and a transporter in the desert.

Screenshot of the Very Large Array built in Minecraft, showing the fully array in the desert under a starry night sky.

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

✍️ BLOG: Building STEM Pathways Through Mentorship PROVOCA—an initiative of AUI and NSF NRAO—is a free, year-long online mentoring program in Chile that helps students ages 14+ explore career options, build their confidence in STEM, and develop plans for their future.

public.nrao.edu

PROVOCA: Building STEM Pathways Through Mentorship - National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Choosing a career in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) can be exciting—but it can also be overwhelming. PROVOCA,...

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Did you know … the Very Large Array will be in D configuration (closest together) for the VLA Open House on October 10? Perfect for taking pictures and seeing as many antennas as you can! 📡 🔗 nraoepo.ticketapp.org/portal/produc… 📸 NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO/J.Hellerman

The Very Large Array, with its telescopes in D configuration or the closest together. In the foreground is a pond reflecting the telescopes. The sky above is blue and starry.

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Reposted by National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO

Jèf Uphoff @juphoff.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

My sister just dug this up from among our father's effects: the 85' telescope-operators' work schedule for July, 1960. (Our father, Robert U., had been the operator for Project Ozma's first scan on the 85' with Frank Drake--we have a copy of the observer's log for that day.)

The operators of the 85' telescope in Green Bank in 1960, as best as I can determine: Fred Crews, Bill Meredith, Omar Bowyer, Bob Viers, George Grove, Arnold ?, Robert Uphoff, Troy Henderson.

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

What are we looking at? 📡 Check out NSF NRAO's Mission Control feature to see what's being observed by the NSF Very Large Array, NSF Green Bank Telescope, and ALMA Observatory in real time: bit.ly/3TloNTS * Current VLA Observation: Deep OH absorption observations in the Outer Galaxy *

public.nrao.edu

NRAO Mission Control - National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Want to know what we're observing in real time? NRAO's Mission Control shows the entire sky surrounding the earth with color-coded targets, marking the place on the sky where each telescope is pointin...

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

CALL FOR PHOTOS: Lived in the area for years? Worked at the Observatory? Have a family member who helped build the telescopes? Share your historical photos with us! Put your photo in the comments or send us a DM. 📩 Pictured here: Green Bank site entrance with NRAO sign, 1959.

Black and white photography of the Green Bank site in 1959, featuring a National Radio Astronomy Observatory sign with a telescope and a water tower in the background.

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Reposted by National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO

American Astronomical Society (AAS) @aas.org · 03/09/2026

🔭 Meet #AAS249 plenary speaker: Rebecca Charbonneau! Historian at AIP, SETI Institute Fellow, and NRAO scientist studying the history of radio astronomy & technosignatures. Don't miss her talk in Salt Lake City — early registration closes 12 Oct. aas.org/meetings/aas... @rebeccacharbon.bsky.social

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Reposted by National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO

Astrobites @astrobites.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

From Chloe Klare: Radio astronomy is obviously better than any other domain, and read here to see why! ⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪 astrobites.org/2026/09/01/why-radio-astronomy-is-the-best-astronomy/

astrobites.org

Opinion: Radio is the superior band in the electromagnetic spectrum

Radio astronomy is obviously better than any other domain, and read here to see why!

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

NSF National Radio Astronomy Observatory is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Stuartt Corder as its new Project Director for the Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA). He will be based in Albuquerque, beginning January 2027. 📸 Credit: NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO/M.Weiss, A.Sosnovic

Astrophotography image of the ngVLA prototype antenna pointing toward the starry night sky, tinted purple.

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

You’re invited to a Fiesta! 🎉 Please join us for the VLA’s Fall Open House on Saturday, October 10 as we celebrate 70 years of NRAO. 🗓️ Saturday, October 10 ⏰ 9 AM - 4 PM 📍 NRAO Very Large Array - New Mexico Admission is free, but tickets required: nraoepo.ticketapp.org/portal/produc…

Promotional graphic for the Very Large Array's Fall "Fiesta" Open House. It features a large radio telescope with colorful party balloons in the sky. Text against a light green background says: Saturday, October 10, from 9 PM to 4 PM. Free admission. Tickets required. VisitVLA.com. Logos for NSF, AUI, and NRAO are at the bottom.

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

#Astronomy community, this month's issue of the NRAO Newsletter is now available! Read here: science.nrao.edu/enews/19.9 Learn about upcoming science events, 2027 Jansky Fellowship applications, NA ALMA Student Observing Support, and more. 📸 Credit: NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO/Ken Smith

science.nrao.edu

NRAO eNews: September 2026

Read the latest news & announcements about NRAO science, science operations, and project status.

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

The NSF National Radio Astronomy Observatory invites applications for the 2027 Jansky Fellowship Program. ➡️ for early career scientists ➡️ independent research with NSF NRAO facilities Application Deadline: October 28, 2026 🔗 bit.ly/4xwReNu #RadioAstronomy #Astronomy

Promotional graphic for the 2027 Jansky Fellowship Program. Background: Very Large Array radio telescopes under a deep blue sky. Text: Application deadline October 28.

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

#ThrowbackThursday The man who started it all! 📡 Karl G. Jansky made the first discovery of radio waves from the Milky Way while investigating trans-Atlantic radiotelephone interference for Bell Laboratories between 1928-33. 🗓️ Countdown: 75 days til NRAO’s 70th anniversary! #NRAOat70 #NRAO70years

Black and white historical photo of a group of Bell Laboratory employees, including Karl Jansky, sitting outside in front of a building.

Black and white historical photography of Karl Jansky standing in front of his antenna

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

In Associated Universities' latest podcast episode, NSF NRAO’s Corrina Jaramillo Feldman discusses how effective communication is helping move the #ngVLA from concept to construction. 🎙️🎧 Listen now ⤵️ YouTube: bit.ly/4hZc8Qt Spotify: bit.ly/4zJlqqf PodBean: bit.ly/4zGdl5B

Promotional poster for AUI's podcast "Beyond the Breakthrough." Background: ngVLA prototype antenna against a blue background. Text: Episode 207. Building Relationships to Build an Array.

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Reposted by National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO

Reactor Magazine @reactorsff.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

"The question was whether or not we were going to use a drone or use Vince’s helicopter to shoot from." Pluribus Director of Photography Marshall Adams talks about getting the perfect shots for season one, whether that involved shadows, helicopters, or radio dishes 📡 #Pluribus

reactormag.com

Pluribus: Director of Photography Talks Helicopters, Drones & Shooting at the Very Large Array - Reactor

Reactor interviewed DP Marshall Adams about his work on the series.

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Reposted by National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO

NSF-Simons AI Institute for Cosmic Origins (CosmicAI) @nsfsimonscosmicai.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

NSF @thenrao.bsky.social and University of Virginia participated in a campus AI event to talk with students about CosmicAI, NSF NRAO telescopes and data archives, and opportunities for students!

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Heads up, teachers! 🗣️ The new NRAO Educational Resource Catalog brings together a growing collection of (free!) #STEM educational materials for educators or anyone looking to make STEM learning more accessible and engaging. #BackToSchool Read more ⤵️

public.nrao.edu

Bringing STEM to Life: Explore NRAO’s New Educational Resource Catalog - National Radio Astronomy Observatory

What if your next science lesson could take students from their classroom to the far reaches of the Universe?...

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Join us at the Green Bank Observatory Open House for an action-packed day of free tours, talks, and family-friendly activities as we celebrate 70 years of NRAO. 🗓️ Saturday, September 19 ⏰ 1:00 - 5:00 PM (select activities available in morning + evening) 📍 Green Bank Science Center, WV 💰 FREE!

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Reposted by National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO

NSF-Simons AI Institute for Cosmic Origins (CosmicAI) @nsfsimonscosmicai.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Last call to apply for the CosmicAI Winter School at NSF @thenrao.bsky.social ! Deadline: Monday, August 31 Program: December 14 - 23 -40 hours online Ananay Sethi shares why this school is helpful for students who want to build skills in AI-astro research public.nrao.edu/cosmicai-opp...

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

#OnThisDay August 25, 2000 - Dedication of the Green Bank Telescope (GBT). Construction on the GBT began in 1991 and the telescope achieved "First Light" on August 22, 2000. 🗓️ Countdown: 84 days til NRAO’s 70th anniversary! #NRAOat70 #NRAO70years

Jay Lockman (Green Bank Site Director 1993-1998), Phil Jewell (Green Bank Site Director 1999-2005), and George Seielstad (Green Bank Site Director, 1984-1992) pose after the Green Bank Telescope dedication with the Green Bank Telescope sign

Senator Robert C. Byrd and Mrs. Byrd at the Green Bank Telescope dedication

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

#Astronomy News You May Have Missed ⤵️ Astronomers Detect Magnetic Fingerprint of a Cosmic Explosion for the First Time NSF #VeryLargeArray radio telescope reveals polarized light and a powerful magnetic environment in a gamma-ray burst afterglow. public.nrao.edu/news/gamma-ray-burs…

public.nrao.edu

Magnetic Fingerprint of a Cosmic Explosion for the First Time

NSF VLA radio telescope reveals polarized light and a powerful magnetic environment in a gamma-ray burst afterglow

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

#ThrowbackThursday #OnThisDay August 20, 1993 - Dedication of the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). At the ceremony, Senator Domenici scanned a barcode that triggered the VLBA antennas to begin pointing at a specific source. 🗓️ Countdown: 89 days til NRAO’s 70th anniversary! #NRAOat70 #NRAO70years

In this photo, U.S. Representative Joe Skeen (left), NRAO Director Paul Vanden Bout (right), and NRAO Associate Director Bob Brown (background) watch as Senator Pete Domenici scans the bar code below the word "Start" to initiate observations of W3OH. As the antennas began to point, lights on the displayed map lit up for each station, sequencing from east to west. There also was a monitor that showed RA/Dec and Az/El for each antenna, and those numbers started changing as the antennas slewed toward their target. Bob Greschke, VLBA chief operator at the time, wrote the software for the bar-code trick that triggered the map-light sequence and then put a message on his operator's screen so he could manually start the actual pointing sequence.

Left to right: Miller Goss, Tim Cornwell, Bob Brown, Peter Napier, Dave Shaffer, Dave Finley (at podium), Dick Sramek. This ceremony was held in the VLBA Operations area of the Array Operations Center in Socorro. The map behind Peter Napier contains LEDs in the locations of the VLBA antennas. The table to the left of the podium holds a bar-code reader that was triggered by Sen. Pete Domenici, causing the VLBA antennas all to begin pointing at a specific source. Their azimuths and elevations began changing on the monitor behind Napier and, one by one, from East to West, the LEDs indicating the antennas lit up.

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

🚨 Reminder - CosmicAI Virtual Winter School applications are due Monday, August 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET! 🚨 🔗 public.nrao.edu/cosmic-ai/ Winter School application - under "Opportunities at NRAO."

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

#Astronomy News You May Have Missed ⤵️ Hidden Jet from a “Missing-Link” Black Hole Lights Up the Radio Sky NSF #VLA detects an extraordinary burst of radio light from an intermediate-mass black hole tearing apart a star (TDE), revealing what appears to be the off-axis afterglow of a powerful jet.

public.nrao.edu

Hidden Jet from a “Missing-Link” Black Hole Lights Up the Radio Sky - National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Astronomers using the NSF VLA detected a rare tidal disruption event revealing an off-axis jet from an intermediate-mass black hole, offering new insights into cosmic transients.

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

#FlashbackFriday #OnThisDay August 14,1958 - Groundbreaking for the 140 Foot Telescope in Green Bank, WV. (pictured here) Construction on the telescope was completed in February 1965. On May 23, 1965, first observations with the 140 Foot were made by Sebastian von Hoerner ... ⤵️ #RadioAstronomy

Black and white photograph of five men at the groundbreaking of the 140 Foot telescope, one of whom is digging with a tool. In the bottom right corner is the date handwritten in white: 8-14-58.

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Reposted by National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO

NSF-Simons AI Institute for Cosmic Origins (CosmicAI) @nsfsimonscosmicai.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

CosmicAI Research highlight! Dan Gause, postbac researcher at NSF @thenrao.bsky.social, on MANNA – an MCP server that lets AI assistants query NOIRLab, NSF NRAO/ALMA, and other IVOA astronomy archives in plain language. Watch: youtu.be/qa7x-6zJRRw

youtu.be

MANNA – An MCP Server for Accessing Astronomical Archives (Dan Gause, postbac researcher - NSF NRAO)

YouTube video by NSF-Simons AI Institute for Cosmic Origins

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

#Astronomy News You May Have Missed ⤵️ NSF #VLA and #ALMA Reveal Hidden “Ring Factories” of Giant Star Clusters in Nearby Galaxies Baby star clusters tracked from their earliest, dust-shrouded beginnings to the point when they start carving out glowing bubbles in their surroundings

public.nrao.edu

NSF VLA and ALMA Reveal Hidden “Ring Factories” of Giant Star Clusters in Nearby Galaxies - National Radio Astronomy Observatory

The latest news from the NSF's National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Calling all #Science and #Astronomy folks! 🗣️ We are pleased to announce that the international conference "ALMA at 15 Years: Science, Synergies, and the Road Ahead" will be held in Taipei, Taiwan from February 22–26, 2027. 🔗 Conference website: 2027alma.org #ALMA #RadioAstronomy

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National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NSF NRAO @thenrao.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

#Astronomy News You May Have Missed ⤵️ Radar Echoes From Europa Reveal Secrets Beneath the Ice A 13‑year campaign with the NSF Green Bank Telescope and NASA’s Goldstone antenna confirms a unique scattering effect in Europa’s ice public.nrao.edu/news/gbt-europa-rad…

public.nrao.edu

Radar Echoes From Europa Reveal Secrets Beneath the Ice - National Radio Astronomy Observatory

The latest news from the NSF's National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

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