MIT’s Science Policy Initiative holds 15th annual Executive Visit Days
Students and postdocs traveled to Washington to learn about federal science and technology policymaking.
Scientists get a first look at the innermost region of a white dwarf system
X-ray observations reveal surprising features of the dying star’s most energetic environment.
John Marshall and Erin Kara receive postdoctoral mentoring award
Faculty recognized for the exceptional professional and personal guidance they provide postdocs.
Support with purpose, driven by empathy
Professors Michael McDonald and Kristala Prather are honored as “Committed to Caring.”
MIT joins in constructing the Giant Magellan Telescope
The major public-private partnership is expected to strengthen MIT research and US leadership in astronomy and engineering.
Ten years later, LIGO is a black-hole hunting machine
LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA celebrate the anniversary of the first detection of gravitational waves and announce verification of Stephen Hawking’s black hole area theorem.
Study finds exoplanet TRAPPIST-1e is unlikely to have a Venus- or Mars-like atmosphere
Astronomers led by EAPS postdoc Ana Glidden ruled out several atmospheric scenarios for the planet, narrowing ideas of what habitability there might look like.
Professor Emeritus Rainer Weiss, influential physicist who forged new paths to understanding the universe, dies at 92
The longtime MIT professor shared a Nobel Prize for his role in developing the LIGO observatory and detecting gravitational waves.
Astronomers detect the brightest fast radio burst of all time
The dazzling “RBFLOAT” radio burst, originating in a nearby galaxy, offers the clearest view yet of the environment around these mysterious flashes.
Planets without water could still produce certain liquids, a new study finds
Lab experiments show “ionic liquids” can form through common planetary processes and might be capable of supporting life even on waterless planets.
Astronomers discover star-shredding black holes hiding in dusty galaxies
Unlike active galaxies that constantly pull in surrounding material, these black holes lie dormant, waking briefly to feast on a passing star.
Professor Emeritus Hank Smith honored for pioneering work in nanofabrication
Longtime MIT electrical engineer receives SPIE Frits Zernike Award for Microlithography in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in microlithographic technology.
Astronomers discover a planet that’s rapidly disintegrating, producing a comet-like tail
The small and rocky lava world sheds an amount of material equivalent to the mass of Mount Everest every 30.5 hours.
Unparalleled student support
Professors Andrew Vanderburg and Ariel White are honored as “Committed to Caring.”
MIT faculty, alumni named 2025 Sloan Research Fellows
Annual award honors early-career researchers for creativity, innovation, and research accomplishments.