Astronomy Research Centre (ARC) at the University of Victoria

ALMA Detects Instabilities in Planet-Forming Disk

A study led by University of Victoria graduate student Jess Speedie, published in the prestigious journal Nature, has unveiled a key finding in planet formation. By using high-sensitivity data from the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), Speedie and the team detected gravitational “wiggles” in the gas disk around the young star AB Aurigae. These wiggles indicate that when disks around young stars become sufficiently massive, they can collapse under their own gravity to form giant planets like Jupiter, confirming predictions of the gravitational instability model. Image Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NSF NRAO), VLT/SPHERE (ESO), Speedie et al.

Instabilities in Planet-Forming Disk

Discovery of Cosmic “Question Mark” with JWST

The CANUCS team, led by HAA astronomer Chris Willott, has captured an extraordinary image of the galaxy cluster MACS J0417.5-1154 using the James Webb Space Telescope. The cluster's immense gravity bends the light from distant galaxies behind it, producing a stunning gravitational lensing effect. Among these distorted images is a rare cosmic "question mark," created by the light of two interacting galaxies stretched into this remarkable shape. Image credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, V. Estrada-Carpenter

Discovery of Cosmic “Question Mark"

JWST Unveils Dusty Protoplanets Around a Young Star

A team led by UVic grad student Dori Blakely, alongside faculty members Doug Johnstone and Ruobing Dong, successfully utilized the James Webb Space Telescope to capture groundbreaking images of dust around two protoplanets orbiting the young star PDS 70. Using the Canadian-provided NIRISS instrument, the team revealed new insights into exoplanet formation, showcasing UVic's significant contributions to this cutting-edge astronomical research.Image Credit:Blakely et al

Dusty Protoplanets Around a Young Star

Evidence of Planet Formation in Young Star Disks

UVic’s graduate student Camryn Mullin, alongside UVic faculties Ruobing Dong and Doug Johnstone, has harnessed the James Webb Space Telescope to search for forming planets in the disks around young stars. Utilizing Webb’s NIRCam instrument, they investigated HL Tau, SAO 206462, and MWC 758, revealing significant evidence of planetary formation. Their research, published in a series of three papers, highlights the intricate structures within these disks, advancing our understanding of exoplanet formation and positioning UVic at the forefront of astronomical discovery. Image credit: NAOJ/Subaru

Planet Formation in Young Star Disks

Discovery of the Faintest Known Milky Way Satellite

Simon Smith, a graduate student at the University of Victoria, led a team that discovered a new, extremely faint satellite of the Milky Way Galaxy, named “Ursa Major III/UNIONS 1” (UMa3/U1). This discovery was made using images from the multi-observatory UNIONS survey. UMa3/U1, estimated to be 32,000 lightyears from the Sun and 11 billion years old, has a total mass of only about 16 solar masses. The team suggests it could be a remnant of a dwarf galaxy, stripped of most of its mass by the Milky Way.

The Faintest Milky Way Satellite

The ARC

The Astronomy Research Centre (ARC) at the University of Victoria brings together world-renowned researchers in astrophysics, engineering, computation, and instrumentation working in or near Victoria, BC.

UVic scientists and engineers work closely with colleagues at the nearby NRC Herzberg Institute in Saanich, the NRC DRAO in Penticton, and at TRIUMF in Vancouver, to form one of the largest concentrations of astronomy-related talent in Canada.

Our mission is to communicate the exciting astronomical research being done at/with UVic, to facilitate new collaborations and synergy, to support high quality undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral training, and to foster public engagement in science.

ARC Director's corner

Welcome to the Astronomy Research Centre at UVic! I’m Prof. Falk Herwig, privileged to serve as ARC Director since July 2024. Our vision is to nurture curiosity-driven research at the highest international standards, pushing the frontiers of our understanding of the universe, and sharing that wonder far beyond our walls.

ARC brings together expertise in instrumentation, data science, simulation, theory, observation, and nuclear physics—spanning UVic, NRC-Herzberg and TRIUMF—to tackle the complex puzzles of astronomy. By fostering collaborations at these intersections, we create opportunities no single group could achieve alone, especially for our early-career researchers.

Guided by the creativity and inspiration of our members, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, we strive to build a supportive environment where all can contribute and grow. Thank you for visiting our site. Explore to learn how ARC is advancing discovery, training the next generation, and connecting our vibrant research community with audiences near and far.

Prof. Falk Herwig
ARC Director
April 2025

Steering committee

The ARC Steering committee helps to identify and prioritize the goals of the ARC, and oversees the strategic planning to reach those goals. This team is comprised of members from all significant partners in the ARC:

Alan McConnachie (NRC-Herzberg)

Iris Dillmann (TRIUMF)

Jon Willise (UVic)

Land acknowledgment

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We encourage you to explore and learn from UVic's Office of Indigenous Academic & Community Engagement pages and ARC's Indigenous Acumen page.

Astronomy Research Centre (ARC)

Stellar Hydrodynamics Workshop at UVic