Explore the Universe

A University of Massachusetts astronomy professor is science lead on a $5 million proposal selected by NASA to develop new space satellite missions that bridge gaps in our understanding of the evolution of the universe.

Alexandra Pope of UMass Amherst is on one of two teams chosen by NASA to conduct 12-month mission concepts to observe X-ray and far-infrared wavelengths of light from space. Pope’s team is developing PRIMA, the Probe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics. After detailed evaluation of each $5 million study, NASA expects to select one concept in 2026 to proceed with the $1 billion construction, with launch projected to happen in 2032.

Whitaker’s team devised an innovative pairing of telescopes to better understand why some of the oldest, most massive galaxies go quiescent early in their formation. The team used the Hubble Space Telescope, which sees ultraviolet to near-infrared light, including the light we can see with our own eyes, to detect these distant galaxies, which are so far away that we’re only just now seeing the light they emitted 10 billion to 12 billion years ago, when the universe was in its infancy. In effect, Whitaker’s team is looking into the deep past.