UTSA’s Angela Speck will discuss her stardust crystallization research today during the semiannual conference of the American Astronomical Society.
JUNE 13, 2022 — Angela Speck, professor and chair in the UTSA College of Sciences’ physics and astronomy department, will discuss her findings regarding stardust crystallization today during the semiannual conference of the American Astronomical Society (AAS). This year’s event, which is being held at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California, through June 16, marks the 240th meeting of the AAS.
Entitled “Recalescence during crystallization of stardust: Resolution of the amorphous interstellar medium paradox,” Speck’s presentation examines in-depth details surrounding stardust, including its formation and crystallization.
Stardust contains a wide range of matter necessary for life including carbon, nitrogen and oxygen. When a star dies, these elements are ejected into space and serve as a “fertilizer” for forming new planets and life.
Over the past five years, Speck has been researching how cosmic gas clouds are shaped, and how stardust interacts with energy and light. For instance, a carbon dust grain could be in the form of graphite—think coal or pencil lead—and would absorb light. A diamond dust grain would let light pass through.
Understanding what stardust is made of and its crystal structure is key to unlocking fundamental answers to how stars are born and how they die, contends Speck, who also believes that stardust can reveal other important concepts in the history of the universe. This knowledge may even be applied to solving issues back on Earth.
“Dust seems insignificant, but it impacts any environment in which it exists,” Speck said. “We need to understand precise details about dust to understand its impact.”
Speck has collaborated on this project with Alan Whittington, professor in the college’s earth and planetary sciences department, and Alexander Sehlke from the NASA Ames Research Center.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.
