Archives de la catégorie : Nouvelles et annonces

CCAT/FYST Update

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CCAT Update

By/par Mike Fich (Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics, fich@uwaterloo.ca) and the Canadian CCAT team

The accompanying image shows the Fred Young Submillimeter telescope (FYST) on December 18, 2025.  Because of the difficulty of working at such high altitude FYST was assembled in large structures at the factory in Germany.  The first pieces were received in April 2025 and the last – the mirrors – arrived at the site in the second week of November.  (The large wooden box at the lower right side in the image contains the primary mirror.) Since May there has been a continuous process of lifting these pieces into place.  The hope was that this would be completed by the end of 2025 but the completion date for this phase is now expected to be Jan 31, 2026.  The team maintains a public webpage showing the progress (see “Gallery” at ccatobservatory.org).

The Fred Young Submnillimeter Telescope (FYMT) on December 18, 2025

At the same time the work on instrumentation has continued and first light instruments are expected to arrive in February 2026 and will be installed right away.  These are a high priority as they are needed for commissioning the telescope.  It is expected that “First Light” will occur on or around 1 April, 2026. A formal “Ribbon Cutting” event to celebrate the completion of FYST will be held Thursday, April 9, 2026 at our CCAT Observatory site. Two days of events are planned in advance of this in and around San Pedro de Atacama to enable participants to accustom themselves to the high altitude.

FYST is a 6-meter diameter submillimeter survey telescope and is located at the best submillimetre site that has been identified anywhere in the world.  The CCAT partnership is led by Cornell University with German, Canadian, and Chilean partners. The Canadian participation is channeled through the Canadian Atacama Telescope Consortium (CATC) and includes researchers at ten Canadian universities. FYST will only be used for continuous multi-year surveying, both all-sky and several moderate area but very deep surveys.  Also, with its rapid scan speed and very large instantaneous sky coverage FYST will map large areas many times per day providing time domain coverage never before attained at submillimeter wavelengths.

The CCAT team is very much open to new members. We are especially encouraging new science ideas that we can explore with the amazing survey datasets we will create with FYST. If you have an interest in participating in the technology development (we have begun the development of the second generation instruments!) or in any of the Key Projects please contact Norm Murray (a CCAT Director), or a Key Project leader (listed on the website above).

CASTOR Update

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By Patrick Côté (NRC-Herzberg), Tyrone Woods (University of Manitoba)

MTR2025

  • The 2025 Mid-Term Review, which was released on November 21, contains several recommendations directly related to CASTOR. The first, and most important, is the continued strong endorsement of the project as a top priority for the community in space astronomy (recommendation S01 [LRP#26]).
  • It is also notable that S04 [LRP#27 and #34] urges Canadian agencies to consider ways in which CASTOR development can be leveraged as a pathfinder for UV instrumentation on a future international flagship mission (see below)

Lobbying Efforts

  • Since October, the Coalition for Canadian Astronomy has met on multiple occasions with government representatives. On all accounts, the government appears supportive of the mission, although no line item was explicitly earmarked for CASTOR in the November 4 budget. Meetings between the government and Coalition continue.

Phase A+ Study Planning

  • CSA and NRC have held several high-level meetings throughout the fall with the aim of better defining roles and responsibilities during a proposed Phase A+ study (which remains the Coalition’s top priority in space astronomy).
  • Since September, NRC has directed internal resources to the development of a comprehensive Project Management Plan for the expected Phase A+ study. It is hoped that a preliminary version of the plan will be available in early January 2026; CSA and NRC are working together to refine and optimize the plan, including the development of a plan for governance framework.

HWO Request for Information

  • In November, several members of the CASTOR team submitted a response to the CSA Request for Information on Canadian Contributions to the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). That report focused on how CASTOR might be leveraged to provide a pathway for a possible Canadian contribution to HWO (see recommendation S04 [LRP #27/34] from the MTR). Any decision on possible Canadian participation in HWO, however, must be defined by the community in LRP2030.

Detector Testing

  • The long-term detector testing and characterization program is continuing. This is a collaboration between NRC, JPL, Teledyne-e2v, Open University, CSA, the University of Calgary and the University of Manitoba. Tests are being carried out by NRC-HAA in Victoria and the University of Calgary. The Vacuum UV Laboratory (VUVL) at Calgary has been extensively upgraded in anticipation of these tests, with the final “bake out” of the VUVL now underway.
  • Tests performed on the CIS120 engineering device in Victoria have provided data on the read noise and dark current performance of the device, with some puzzling results that are being analyzed by the consortium. Tests on the delta-doped CIS120s will likely commence in Calgary in January 2026.

UVMOS Proto-Typing

  • The three-year, $2M NRC Small Teams project to build a prototype of a DMD-based UVMOS instrument continues to make steady progress. The next team meeting will take place in Marseille, in July 2026. This project aims to reach a TRL of 6 by mid 2027. The technologies under development are relevant to both CASTOR and, potentially, HWO (see above).

For more information on the mission, see https://www.castormission.org

ngVLA Update

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Still from the short movie « ngVLA Trailer: The Next Generation VLA at a Glance Credit: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNRAO, Science Communication Labs. Watch the full movie at https://youtu.be/7X0N-ykxFm0

Erik Rosolowsky (U Alberta) & Joan Wrobel (NRAO)

The Highest Angular Resolution Frontier

The NSF NRAO and the ngVLA project are pleased to invite all AAS 247 attendees to a Splinter Session titled « The Highest Angular Resolution Frontier » on 7 January 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. This session will highlight recent science breakthroughs enabled with milli- and micro-arcsecond angular resolutions. It will also discuss future science possibilities that demand joint improvements in angular resolution and sensitivity. Invited oral presentations include Neutrino-Emitting Blazars, Resolving Compact Binary Ejecta, Peering into the Formation of New Worlds with the ngVLA, Multimessenger Astronomy with the Celestial Reference Frame, and ngVLA Status and Update. To broaden information sharing, the presentations will eventually be posted and advertised world-wide.

Advancing ngVLA Collaboration in Mexico

In November, the NSF NRAO and Mexican institutions announced the signing of historic agreements to advance their ngVLA collaboration. This represents a significant step in strengthening international collaboration for one of the world’s most ambitious next-generation observatories.

Astrochemistry in the Broadband Era

The ALMA Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade and the ngVLA will deliver unprecedented spectral bandwidths while maintaining exquisite spectral resolution and sensitivity. The data quality in this broadband era will transform astrochemistry, but will also require entirely new approaches to data analysis. This workshop, held in October in Portland, Maine, USA, identified high-priority science and developed a roadmap for achieving it.

Successful Computing and Software Review

The ngVLA Computing and Software Subsystem (CSS) IPT had their Conceptual Design Review in September. Members from across the Observatory participated in the review. The CSS team also collaborated with the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) and the TACC team presented their conceptual design for the computing technical infrastructure.

The review panel, which has been engaged with the CSS team for over a year, opened more than 65 Review Item Discrepancies (RIDs) across all aspects of the computing conceptual design. The teams addressed all RIDs and successfully passed the review. The panel noted the high quality of the work on the conceptual design documents based on extensive analysis of the stakeholder needs. The panel was particularly impressed with the collaboration between ngVLA and TACC, and recommended continuing this, and other external, collaborations.

Science Working Groups

In July, a survey covering geography and demographics was circulated to current members of the five ngVLA Science Working Groups. The survey results are being used by the ngVLA Science Advisory Council to quantify the breadth of the ngVLA community.

Are you interested in joining an ngVLA science working group? The focus areas of the Groups are (1) Stars, Planetary Systems, and their Origins; (2) Astrochemistry and the Molecular Emergence of Life; (3) Galaxies and Galaxy Evolution; (4) Pulsars, Cosmology, and Fundamental Physics; and (5) Exploring the Dynamic Universe. Sign up anytime using the ngVLA Contact Us link on the Groups’ page:
https://ngvla.nrao.edu/page/workinggroups.

New University Partnership

In June, NSF NRAO and the Texas Tech University (TTU) System announced a new partnership. Under this arrangement, NRAO will have the opportunity to utilize the TTU System’s 3 Rivers Ranch, near Crowell, Texas, USA, as an ngVLA antenna site, with the possibility of future science education and public outreach activities related to the ngVLA. The partnership will provide students, researchers, and the public with unique opportunities to engage with cutting-edge astronomical research.

Nouvelles de l’Office Gemini Canadien

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par Eric Steinbring (Office Gemini Canadien, Conseil National de Recherches Herzberg en Astronomie & Astrophysique)

Prochaines Dates Limites pour les Appels de demandes:
Appel de Demandes de Temps pour les Programmes Gemini Longs et Larges, et Programmes Intensifs sur Subaru 2026

L’appel de demandes de temps pour les Programmes Gemini Longs et Larges 2026 a été lancé, pour des observations débutant au semestre 2026B. Les Canadien(ne)s sont invité(e)s à soumettre des demandes de programmes qui, à titre indicatif, nécessitent beaucoup plus de temps qu’un programme unique typiquement soumis à CanTAC, ou s’étendent sur deux à six semestres, ou les deux. Notez que les Canadien(ne)s sont aussi invité(e)s à soumettre des demandes pour un Programme Intensif Subaru via l’échange de temps Gemini-Subaru, suivant les mêmes règles et éligibilité que les PLLs Gemini.

Les Lettres d’Intention doivent être reçues le : Lundi 16 février 2026 a 5PM HST
Les demandes de temps complètes sont dues le: Mardi 31 mars 2026

Veuillez consulter l’Appel de Demandes pour vérifier combien de temps peut être demandé dans chacun des 6 semestres suivants et pour certaines restrictions sur les conditions d’observations.

En mémoire de René Racine

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L’Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic, I’IREX et l’Université de Montréal annoncent avec regret le décès de René Racine. C’est avec une profonde tristesse que l’Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic (OMM), l’Institut de recherche sur les exoplanètes (iREx) et l’Université de Montréal apprennent le décès de René Racine, professeur émérite au Département de physique de l’Université de Montréal, pionnier de l’astronomie canadienne et figure marquante du développement de l’OMM.

Né à Québec en 1939, René Racine a consacré sa carrière à l’avancement de l’astronomie au Québec et au Canada. Diplômé en physique de l’Université Laval (1963), il poursuit des études doctorales à l’Université de Toronto sous la direction de Sidney van den Bergh (1929–), puis effectue un stage postdoctoral comme boursier Carnegie aux observatoires du mont Wilson et de Palomar.

Il devient professeur à l’Université de Toronto (1969-1976) avant de se joindre à l’Université de Montréal en 1976, où il assume la direction du projet de construction de l’Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic (OMM). Il en supervise le développement, choisit son emplacement ainsi que le personnel enseignant et technique qui y sera associé. L’OMM est inauguré en mai 1978.

René Racine occupe par la suite la direction du télescope Canada-France-Hawaii (1980-1984), où il contribue de manière déterminante au rayonnement international de cette installation située au sommet du Mauna Kea. Sous sa direction, le TCFH s’est distingué par la qualité exceptionnelle de ses images, influençant l’instrumentation et les pratiques d’observation dans plusieurs observatoires de classe mondiale.

De retour au Québec, il a dirigé l’OMM pendant plus d’une décennie (1984-1997), contribuant à la consolidation de ses infrastructures, de son expertise scientifique et de sa mission de formation. Scientifique complet, à la fois théoricien, observateur et bâtisseur, René Racine s’est distingué dans l’étude des amas globulaires, le développement de l’optique adaptative, ses travaux d’avant-garde sur les techniques d’imagerie à haute gamme dynamique, et dans la mesure de paramètres cosmologiques fondamentaux, dont la constante de Hubble, un paramètre central dans nos tentatives de mesurer l’échelle et l’âge de l’Univers.

Expert reconnu en instrumentation et en qualité d’image astronomique, il a contribué à améliorer la précision de notre regard sur l’Univers, à produire les premières images d’exoplanètes et à l’avancement de plusieurs grands projets d’observatoires internationaux.

Professeur émérite à l’UdeM depuis 1997, il a poursuivi son engagement au service de la communauté scientifique en tant que directeur général de l’Association des universités canadiennes pour la recherche en astronomie de 2005 à 2012. Ses contributions ont été soulignées à maintes reprises: membre de la Société royale du Canada (1989), membre de l’Ordre du Canada (1999) et officier de l’Ordre national du Québec (2005). L’astéroïde 45580 RenéRacine porte aujourd’hui son nom.

Au-delà de ces distinctions, René Racine a marqué des générations d’étudiantes, d’étudiants, de chercheuses et de chercheurs. On se souviendra de sa rigueur, de son exigence bienveillante, de sa générosité intellectuelle et de son engagement envers les institutions qu’il a contribué à bâtir.

L’Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic, tout particulièrement, demeure l’un de ses plus grands héritages. L’Université de Montréal rend hommage à un scientifique visionnaire, un enseignant dévoué et un bâtisseur essentiel de l’astronomie québécoise. Par les télescopes qu’il a défendus et les esprits qu’il a formés, son influence continuera de rayonner.

Nous offrons nos sincères condoléances à sa famille, à ses proches, ainsi qu’à toutes celles et ceux qu’il a inspirés.

Avec respect et profonde sympathie. Stéphane Courteau René Doyon David Hanes

Near Field Cosmology in the Era of Big Data

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We are pleased to announce that abstract submissions are now open for the workshop “Near Field Cosmology in the Era of Big Data: Local Group and Beyond” which will be held at the Fields Institute (University of Toronto, Canada) on July 20-24, 2026.

Workshop website:
http://www.fields.utoronto.ca/activities/26-27/Nearfieldcosmology

Abstract submission form (by March 1st, 2026):
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPqTjl2JJ3r04Ls6wd3D18oirG3iHTpjUlxRN1HS6chhijCQ/viewform

The next generation of large surveys (Rubin, Euclid, DESI, 4MOST, Gaia DR4, and more) will transform near-field cosmology into a precision laboratory. This workshop will bring together researchers using these data, together with simulations and new analysis methods, to understand the assembly of galaxies and the nature of dark matter in the Local Group and beyond. The meeting will feature invited review talks, contributed talks, posters, and hands-on tutorials. All presentations are expected to be delivered in person.

Topics of interest include:

  • Dwarf galaxies with resolved stellar populations in the Milky Way and M31 systems
  • Stellar streams as probes of galaxy assembly, the Galactic potential, and dark matter substructure
  • Constraints on dark matter physics from nearby galaxies and their satellites
  • « First-star archaeology » with metal-poor stars in halos, dwarf galaxies, and streams
  • Extending near-field techniques to galaxies beyond the Local Group
  • Machine learning and statistical tools for petabyte-scale survey and simulation data

Key dates:

  • December 1, 2025: First announcement; abstract submission opens (including travel support requests)
  • March 1, 2026: Abstract submission deadline
  • April 1, 2026: Abstract and travel support decisions announced
  • April 15, 2026: Speaker acceptance deadline; registration opens
  • May 15, 2026: Registration and payment close (or earlier if capacity is reached)
  • July 20, 2026: Workshop begins

Abstracts for both talks and posters (and requests for limited travel support) can be submitted via the linked form above.

Confirmed invited review speakers:

  • Michelle Collins (U. Surrey) – Dwarf galaxies
  • Kathryn Johnston (Columbia) – Stellar streams
  • Ethan Nadler (UC San Diego) – Dark matter
  • Kim Venn (U. Victoria) – First-star archaeology
  • Annette Ferguson (U. Edinburgh) – Beyond the Local Group

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ting Li at ting.li@astro.utoronto.ca. We warmly encourage submissions from early-career researchers and from scientists working across theory, observations, and data science, and we look forward to welcoming you to Toronto next summer.

Sincerely,

The Scientific Organizing Committee
Jo Bovy (University of Toronto)
Denis Erkal (University of Surrey)
Azadeh Fattahi (Stockholm University)
Alex Ji (University of Chicago)
Ting Li (University of Toronto, Chair)
Alan McConnachie (NRC Herzberg / University of Victoria)
Sarah Pearson (University of Copenhagen)
Nora Shipp (University of Washington)

Program Director for Trottier Space Institute at McGill

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The Trottier Space Institute (https://tsi.mcgill.ca) is an interdisciplinary research institute bringing together researchers in Astrophysics, Planetary Science, Atmospheric Sciences, Astrobiology and other space-related areas at McGill University

TWe are searching for a Program Director for the Institute to assist the Director with its administration. Specific tasks include:

  • Provide support for development of new research and research-training related initiatives and monitor progress toward desired outcomes
  • Assist TSI researchers with writing of research project reports, documents, and updates as needed in the development, implementation, and results phases
  • Assist TSI researchers in development of processes and procedures for conducting research with undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs and technical staff
  • ssist Director in development and maintaining of Institute policies and activities with regard to research and research-related training
  • Liaise with external stakeholders including University research office and funding agencies
  • Oversee TSI budgets and ensure planning and tracking of expenses and annual reporting in consultation with the Director
  • Understand or be prepared to understand TSI overall researchers’ goals and methodologies, overall TSI research-related and funding-related landscapes in Canada and worldwide
  • Assist in monitoring new TSI Annex construction (2025-2026), answering relevant questions when they arise, and ensuring smooth transition to new Annex when ready in 2027

Interested applicants should apply at:

ttps://mcgill.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/fr-CA/McGill_Careers/job/University-3550/Academic-Associate-TSI-2_JR0000071783

Trottier Space Institute Inreach/Outreach Coordinator (McGill U.)

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The Trottier Space Institute (https://tsi.mcgill.ca) is an interdisciplinary research institute bringing together researchers in Astrophysics, Planetary Science, Atmospheric Sciences, Astrobiology and other space-related areas at McGill University.

We are searching a Coordinator to lead our inreach and outreach efforts at TSI. Among expected responsibilities are:

  • Provide guidance to students and postdocs in training and communications in the research domains of TSI
  • Develop TSI internet presence and reputation and train students and postdocs in best practices for internet presence
  • Develop programming for interacting with the public
  • Develop press releases for research-related outcomes and assist in training students to do same
  • Develop policies that aid in the implementation of TSI’s training and communications visions
  • Play an integral role in the curriculum design and administration of the enhanced training program for MSc and PhD students in radio astronomy through the NSERC-funded CREATE program, RADEATE
  • Mentor graduate students and postdocs by serving as the lecturer for the relevant modules in the required “PHYS 601/602 – Introduction to Graduate Studies” course for new graduate students in Physics or dedicated professional development workshops
  • Lead the administration of the TSI Summer Undergraduate Research Award program, including application review, selection, and feedback.
  • Coordinate the TSI Summer Mentorship Program, ensuring effective engagement and support for participants
  • Occasionally lecture for graduate level astrophysics courses

Interested applicants should apply at:

https://mcgill.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/fr-CA/McGill_Careers/job/University-3550/Academic-Associate-TSI-1_JR0000071617

2026 Bourses d’excellence Trottier en science exoplanétaire

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APPLY HERE: https://exoplanetes.umontreal.ca/emploi/bourses-dexcellence-pour-stages-dete-a-lirex-en-2026/

DEADLINE: December 16th 2025

L’Institut de recherche sur les exoplanètes (IREx), affilié au Département de physique de l’Université de Montréal (UdeM), lance un appel à candidatures auprès des étudiants de premier cycle pour Bourses d’excellence Trottier en science exoplanétaire (plusieurs bourses disponibles).

Les stages d’été durent 4 mois (de mai à août 2026). Ils constituent une opportunité unique pour les étudiants de premier cycle de se joindre à l’équipe dynamique de l’iREx et de s’impliquer dans des recherches de pointe en astrophysique. Les stagiaires pourront participer activement à des programmes scientifiques révolutionnaires liés aux exoplanètes et à des sujets connexes. Un minimum de 9000 $ sera garanti à tous les stagiaires sélectionnés. La bourse d’excellence Trottier peut être combinée à une bourse de recherche de premier cycle du CRSNG.

Tous les étudiants actuellement inscrits à un programme de premier cycle en physique, en astrophysique, en génie ou dans un domaine connexe dans une université canadienne sont admissibles. Les candidats intéressés doivent remplir notre formulaire en ligne (https://forms.gle/W3RoEtgZvPq2EDWKA), en y téléchargeant leur dossier de candidature, comprenant une lettre de présentation (max. 1 page, 1 lettre pour chaque bourse à laquelle vous appliquez) dans laquelle ils expliquent leur motivation à obtenir le stage ainsi que leurs intérêts de recherche et/ou d’instrumentation, un curriculum vitae, et leurs relevés de notes les plus récents, d’ici le 16 décembre 2025. Les candidats retenus seront contactés en janvier/février 2026.

***SESSIONS D’INFORMATION***

Si vous aimeriez en apprendre plus sur le programme de stages d’été de l’IREx, ne manquez pas nos sessions d’information:

En français : Mercredi 26 novembre 2025, 12h30 à 13h30, en personne au campus MIL de l’Université de Montréal, local A-5202. Apportez votre lunch, on aura un petit dessert! (utilisez ce lien pour vous inscrire: https://forms.gle/hS1LEHLwhhqgkiUn8 )

En anglais : Mercredi 26 novembre 2025, 19h30 à 20h30, en virtuel sur Zoom (utiliser ce lien Zoom pour vous inscrire: https://umontreal.zoom.us/meeting/register/Q57e-dGHTrSpE8jZCgI5PA )

L’IREx prône la diversité, l’inclusion et l’équité en emploi. Nous encourageons vivement que les femmes, les membres des minorités visibles et ethniques, les Autochtones et les personnes handicapées, de même que les personnes de toutes orientations et identités sexuelles à présenter leur candidature. Avec le support de notre comité EDI, nous nous engageons à favoriser l’intégration professionnelle des personnes issues de groupes traditionnellement sous-représentés dans le milieu de la recherche en physique.

Pour plus d’information sur l’iREx, contactez Nathalie Ouellette, directrice adjointe de l’IREx : nathalie@astro.umontreal.ca.