News: Research

Faraway planet defies our understanding of planet formation, say UChicago scientists

A new technique gives astronomers — and the public — a different look at some of the largest objects in the universe. Developed using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory data, “X-arithmetic” classifies galaxy clusters and groups by their nature rather than appearance.

UChicago astrophysicists test a new piece of the sky to probe dark matter and dark energy

Research led by UChicago’s Eliza Kempton finds some ‘mini-Neptunes’ likely have solid surfaces rather than molten interiors

Pioneering cosmologist honored for landmark measurements of the Hubble Constant

An exoplanet is what we call planets that exist outside of our own solar system. The first one was discovered in 1992, but as we get more powerful and precise telescopes and instruments, scientists have been discovering more and more of these faraway planets—about 6,000 of them so far. But scientists think there are trillions more out there in the universe. 

UChicago-led study analyzes massive galaxy clusters mapped by the Dark Energy Survey, offers new way to probe cosmic laws

UChicago astrophysicists’ physics-based models suggest dark energy may be evolving

Professors Paolo Privitera (Astronomy & Astrophysics and KICP) and Andrew Cleland (PME) have received a 2025-2027 DARPA award to develop novel qubit-based detectors of low-energy neutrinos.  The UChicago-led consortium supported by the QuSeN (Quantum Sensing of Neutrinos) program includes Northwestern University, Illinois Institute of Technology, University of California San Diego and Fermilab.

UChicago scientists probe the nature of mysterious ‘hidden-sector’ dark matter in DAMIC-M experiment

Webb telescope helps scientists narrow down the search for “Earth twin” planets

Study measuring magnetic field near the center of the Milky Way helps to decode the precise astrophysical dynamics at the heart of our galaxy

Study of the cosmic microwave background adds new depth to our understanding of universe

For a keen mind, the right mentor can make a world of difference. This may be especially true for students at the University of Chicago as they immerse in discovery. The relationships students build with their mentors support them as they connect with research opportunities, explore their passions and test their mettle against tough problems and enduring questions.

Team led by UChicago scientist Wendy Freedman using James Webb Space Telescope finds no evidence of tension in Hubble Constant