Outreach

2022

On October 22nd and 23rd CAP3 hosted its second annual intensive, two-day event in the middle of the desert, titled Capturing the Cosmos: An Astrophotography Workshop. The workshop included theoretical tutorials, CAP3 astronomy seminars, and a practical guide to the Abu Dhabi desert. Professional astrophotographers Benjamin Barakat and Yousef Al Qasimi taught attendees just what it takes to create breathtaking photos of the Milky Way and the night skies. The Center had 240 signups at the onset. This year, the program partnered with Manarat Al Saadiyat, Gulf Astronomy Group, Gulf Photo Plus and had both Nikon and ibrandconnect as sponsors. Upon completion, 115 students understood how to plan trips and shoots successfully, how to capture and compose the images, and how to bring the images to life with special advanced post-processing techniques.

2021

The three day free-of-charge astrophotography workshop in October, 2021 was well attended with over 100 participants at the onset of the program. Capturing the Cosmos was catered for advanced photographers who sought a clear understanding of what it takes to create breathtaking photos of the Milky Way and the night skies. The workshop included theoretical tutorials, CAP3 astronomy seminars, and a practical guide in the Abu Dhabi desert. At the end of the program students understood how to plan trips and shoots successfully, how to capture and compose the images, and how to bring the images to life with special advanced post processing techniques. CAP3 partnered with Manarat Al Saadiyat and Al Sadeem Observatory for the workshop and was sponsored by Nikon and ibrandconnect.

2023

CAP3’s annual Astronomy Camp took place virtually January 11-13, 2023. It hosted students from eighth grade through the college level. CAP3 professors, research staff, and other guest speakers held introductory seminars on topics ranging from exoplanets, the solar system, the birth and death of stars, and the milky way. This crash course enabled students to acquire first-hand experience in listening to and engaging with collegiate-level seminars. It was hosted this year prior to CAP3’s Timescales in Astrophysics Conference in order to encourage participants to attend the public talk on a Black Hole Survival Guide with Janna Levin. Over 200 students globally signed up and approximately 60 students completed all four days of the camp.  

A full agenda may be found here.

2022

Astronomy Camp is an annual event produced by CAP3. The second iteration took place January 25-28, 2022 virtually, hosting over 100 students eighth grade through collegiate level. CAP3 professors, research staff and other guest speakers held introductory seminars on topics ranging from exoplanets, the solar system, the birth and death of stars, and the milky way. This crash course enabled students to acquire first-hand experience in listening to and engaging with collegiate level seminars. 

A full agenda may be found here.

2021

The inaugural online Astronomy Camp in January 2021 hosted 24 students aged from eighth grade through collegiate level. Ten professors and research staff held introductory seminars on topics. This crash course enabled students to acquire first hand experience in listening to and engaging with collegiate level seminars. A full agenda may be found here. 

Students came from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah. 42% young women and 58% young men attended the camp. And an overwhelming 95% of students ranked the course as Excellent or Very Good. Astronomy Camp will continue bi-annually with even more interactive elements!

In The News

NYU Abu Dhabi Joins Forces with MBRSC on Its Much Anticipated Emirates Lunar Mission Launch

UAE to the Moon: NYUAD contributes to Rashid Rover launch-- Officials, students participate in the development of the rover’s instruments and the relevant data processing procedures.

Khaleej Times | December 12, 2022

NYUAD Scientist Contributes to Recording Another First with James Webb Space Telescope: An Exoplanet Atmosphere as Never Seen Before

Four highly sensitive instruments on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) were trained on the atmosphere of a hot Saturn – a planet about as massive as Saturn orbiting a star 700 light-years away known as WASP-39 b, revealing an unprecedented view into a chemical portrait of the planet’s skies, a team of scientists from institutions worldwide and NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) reported.

Gulf Today | November 23, 2022

NYUAD's Space Podcast 'Spaced Out' Returns For Season 2, Features A Number Of Experts

UAE: NYUAD’s space podcast ‘Spaced Out’ returns for season 2, features a number of experts; It kicks off with an episode featuring Nobel laureate Professor Barry Barish, who helped in detecting gravitational waves for the first time ever.

Khaleej Times | October 25, 2022

NYUAD and its cutting-edge, cosmopolitan, and outreach-oriented CAP3
The CAP3, "Centre for Astro, Particle, and Planetary Physics" of the NYUAD physics department will soon welcome prestigious names, such as the Emirati scientist Ahmed Almehiri, one of the top experts in black hole physics, and Simonetta di Pippo, former director of UNOOSA (UN Office for Outer Space Affairs).

Emirates News Agency [WAM] | October 19, 2022

NYU Abu Dhabi’s Center for Astro, Particle and Planetary Physics Launches its First-Ever Space Podcast

The Centre for Astro, Particle and Planetary Physics (CAP3) at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) has produced and launched Spaced Out, the university’s first-ever podcast dedicated to astronomy and space science. Aimed at promoting scientific ideas and igniting curiosity among the public about astronomy and space science, the podcast will feature NYUAD’s own experts in the field, as well as guest speakers from the space sector and other academic institutions.

Emirates News Agency [WAM] | April 26, 2022