We are now used to seeing beautiful images of space circulating online, but we would know very little about what is going on behind those images without quantum physics.
How have quantum sciences helped us understand how stars produce their light, how that light illuminates interstellar clouds, or what the universe was like when it was very young?
UNAM Morelia is uncovering this and more questions in the Astronomy Fridays series for the second half of 2025, organized by the Institute of Radio Astronomy and Astrophysics (IRyA), celebrating the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, one hundred years after its inception.
On September 26, Luis Felipe Rodríguez, emeritus researcher at UNAM and founder of IRyA, will share the talk "How Quantum Science Enriched Astronomy," about the relationship between these two areas of science and how quantum sciences help us explore the mysteries of the universe.
The talks will be held in the Academic Cultural Unit Auditorium (main auditorium) of the UNAM Morelia Campus (Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701, across from the Tenencia Morelos) at 7:00 pm, with free admission. No prior registration is needed, and weather permitting, we will have sky observation with telescopes after the talk. In addition, each session will feature surprises for the audience.
On October 31, Jane Arthur, researcher at IRyA, will talk about how we study stars with quantum sciences in the talk "Light at the End of the Tunnel: Quantum Mechanics and the Stars."
Live talk on Youtube: Here, or copy-and-paste this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/NDQWsi6UERg?si=GE5LdRJf0rna1Rzl
About IRyA, UNAM
The Instituto de Radioastronomía y Astrofísica (IRyA), or Institute for Radio Astronomy and Astrophysics is an academic unit at UNAM, Campus Morelia, Mexico. The Institute’s personnel perform high-level and high-impact research in the areas of interstellar medium, star formation, evolved stars, high energy astrophysics, Galactic dynamics and structure, extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. They also contribute to educate high-level human resources through a postgraduate program, and maintain a close relationship with society through diverse outreach and science communication programs.
Media contact:
Dr. René A. Ortega Minakata
Outreach and Science Communication
IRyA UNAM Campus Morelia
Text: René A. Ortega Minakata, IRyA UNAM