Canadian Space Agency funds research projects to study star formation

Three grants totalling $132,831 are being awarded to Canadian universities to support projects that use data collected by AstroSat to better understand how stars are formed.

Longueuil, Quebec, April 4, 2022 — Three grants totalling $132,831 are being awarded to Canadian universities to support projects that use data collected by AstroSat to better understand how stars are formed.

AstroSat is the Indian Space Research Organisation's first astronomy satellite dedicated to studying hot, high-energy objects in the universe like young stars and black holes. Canada's contribution of sensitive detectors for the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope instrument on AstroSat gives Canadian scientists observation time for unique research.

The institutions receiving funding are:

• University of Victoria: Dr. Patrick Côté is going to study galaxies in the Virgo Cluster to better understand star formation.
• University of Calgary: Dr. Denis Leahy will use the data to catalogue individual hot stars and star clusters in M31 as well as investigate the structure of binary star system Hercules X-1.
• University of Alberta: Dr. Erik Rosolowsky will map newly forming stars and their disruptive effect on star-forming dust clouds.

More information about the projects.

Media representatives interested in talking to a Canadian Space Agency expert or Canadian researchers may contact:

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Contact information

Canadian Space Agency
Media Relations Office
Telephone: 450-926-4370
Website: asc-csa.gc.ca
Email: asc.medias-media.csa@asc-csa.gc.ca
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