AIP

Welcome!

The Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) is dedicated to astrophysical questions ranging from the exploration of our Sun to the evolution of the cosmos. It focuses on the study of cosmic magnetic fields, extragalactic astrophysics and the development of research technologies in the fields of spectroscopy, robotic telescopes and E-science.

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Virtual lecture: Babelsberg Starry Night on 17 October 2024

The next talk of the Virtual Babelsberg Starry Nights of the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) on the topic "The physics of the formation of galaxies" (German) by Dr. Rainer Weinberger will be broadcast on the YouTube channel “videowissen” from Thursday, 16th October 2024.

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Long Night of Astronomy at 19th October in the Great Refractor

Under the theme ‘Starlight Stories: A journey through time and space’, you can experience a fascinating journey through the universe on 19 October in the Great Refractor on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam. Each guided tour lasts about an hour and, weather permitting, observations with the historic telescope are also possible. Prior registration is required: Registration form.

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A sharper view of the Milky Way with Gaia and machine learning

A group of scientists led by the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) and the Institute of Cosmos Sciences at the University of Barcelona (ICCUB) have used a novel machine learning model to process data for 217 million stars observed by the Gaia mission in an extremely efficient way. The results were published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.

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Research Area I: Cosmic Magnetic Fields

Cosmic events are determined by two natural forces: gravity and magnetic fields. The magnetic field research at the AIP is mainly focused on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations, the magnetically induced activities on the Sun and the stars, solar coronaphysics as well as space weather in our solar system and on planets around other stars.

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New map of the universe shows mega structures

An international research team led by the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) has developed a new method of imaging the universe and created a fascinating map of the cosmos based on analysing the motions of 56,000 galaxies. The work shows impressive cosmic structures and maps the large-scale interconnectedness of galaxy superclusters in our universe.

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Latest News

Book “Astronomie und Astrophysik – Ein Grundkurs” 6th edition published

Oct. 17, 2024

The 6th edition of the classic teaching book “Astronomie und Astrophysik – Ein Grundkurs” is now available. The standard work has been completely revised by Prof Dr Lutz Wisotzki from the AIP. Over 140 new illustrations based on current data and a completely restructured chapter on galaxy development, in which the formation and development of galaxies is presented in an understandable and compact way.

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Virtual lecture: Babelsberg Starry Night on 17 October 2024

Oct. 16, 2024

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A sharper view of the Milky Way with Gaia and machine learning

Oct. 10, 2024

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[To all News]

Have you heard?

Latest Publications

High-resolution spectroscopy of the variable hot post-AGB star LS 4331 (IRAS 17381‑1616)

Ikonnikova, N. P., Parthasarathy, M., Shaposhnikov, I. A., Hubrig, S., Sarkar, G.

Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy, 45, 2, 27 – Published December 2024

doi:10.1007/s12036-024-10012-0, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Stellar Physics and Exoplanets

The SDSS-V Local Volume Mapper (LVM): Scientific Motivation and Project Overview

Drory, N., ... Cioni, M.-R. L., ...

The Astronomical Journal, 168, 5, 198 – Published November 2024

doi:10.3847/1538-3881/ad6de9, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Dwarf Galaxies and the Galactic Halo

The Brown Dwarf Kinematics Project (BDKP). VI. Ultracool Dwarf Radial and Rotational Velocities from SDSS/APOGEE High-resolution Spectroscopy

Hsu, C.-C., ... Schmidt, S. J., ...

The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 274, 2, 40 – Published October 2024

doi:10.3847/1538-4365/ad6b27, NASA ADS

The YMCA (Yes, Magellanic Clouds Again) survey: Probing the outer regions of the Magellanic system with VST

Gatto, M., ... Cioni, M.-R. L., ...

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 690, A164 – Published October 2024

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202450642, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Dwarf Galaxies and the Galactic Halo

(Re)mind the gap: A hiatus in star formation history unveiled by APOGEE DR17

Spitoni, E., ... Ratcliffe, B., Minchev, I., ...

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 690, A208 – Published October 2024

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202450754, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Milky Way and the Local Volume

Timing the Milky Way bar formation and the accompanying radial migration episode

Haywood, M., Khoperskov, S., ...

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 690, A147 – Published October 2024

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202348767, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Milky Way and the Local Volume

Metallicity distributions of halo stars: do they trace the Galactic accretion history?

Mori, A., ... Khoperskov, S., ...

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 690, A136 – Published October 2024

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202449291, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Milky Way and the Local Volume

First resolved stellar halo kinematics of a Milky Way-mass galaxy outside the Local Group: The flat counter-rotating halo in NGC 4945

Beltrand, C., ... de Jong, R. S., ...

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 690, A115 – Published October 2024

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202450626, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Milky Way and the Local Volume

Large-scale structure around the Fornax-Eridanus complex

Raj, M. A., ... Libeskind, N. I., ...

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 690, A92 – Published October 2024

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202450815, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Cosmography and Large-Scale Structure

Lopsided distribution of MATLAS and ELVES dwarf satellite systems around isolated host galaxies

Heesters, N., Jerjen, H., Müller, O., Pawlowski, M. S., Jamie Kanehisa, K.

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 690, A110 – Published October 2024

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202450110, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Dwarf Galaxies and the Galactic Halo

High-resolution observations of two pores with the integral field unit (IFU) of the GREGOR Infrared Spectrograph (GRIS)

Verma, M.

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 690, A3 – Published October 2024

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202347571, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Solar Physics

Author Correction: Fast-moving stars around an intermediate-mass black hole in ω Centauri

Häberle, M., ... Kacharov, N., ...

Nature, 634, 8032, E1 – Published October 2024

doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08017-4, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Milky Way and the Local Volume

Deep learning the intergalactic medium using Lyman-alpha forest at 4 ≤ z ≤ 5

Nasir, F., ... Puchwein, E., ...

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 534, 2, 1299 – Published October 2024

doi:10.1093/mnras/stae2153, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Cosmology and High-Energy Astrophysics

Why does the Milky Way have a bar?

Khoperskov, S., Minchev, I., Steinmetz, M., Ratcliffe, B., Walcher, J. C., Libeskind, N. I.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 533, 4, 3975 – Published October 2024

doi:10.1093/mnras/stae1902, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Milky Way and the Local Volume, Galaxies and Quasars, Cosmography and Large-Scale Structure

Identification of basins of attraction in the local Universe

Valade, A., Libeskind, N. I., ... Pfeifer, S., ...

Nature Astronomy – Published September 2024

doi:10.1038/s41550-024-02370-0, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Cosmography and Large-Scale Structure

Retrieving Young Cloudy L Dwarfs: A Nearby Planetary-mass Companion BD+60 1417B and its Isolated Red Twin W0047

Phillips, C. L., ... Ilyin, I., Strassmeier, K., ...

The Astrophysical Journal, 972, 2, 172 – Published September 2024

doi:10.3847/1538-4357/ad5d57, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: High-resolution Spectroscopy and Polarimetry

Elemental Abundances in And XIX from Coadded Spectra

Cullinane, L. R. et al.

The Astrophysical Journal, 972, 2, 133 – Published September 2024

doi:10.3847/1538-4357/ad5f2e, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Dwarf Galaxies and the Galactic Halo

High-Resolution Sun-as-a-Star Spectroscopy of the Partial Solar Eclipse of 2017 August 21

Dineva, E., Denker, C., Verma, M., Strassmeier, K., Ilyin, I., ...

Solar Physics, 299, 9, 123 – Published September 2024

doi:10.1007/s11207-024-02358-z, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Solar Physics, High-resolution Spectroscopy and Polarimetry

The SRG/eROSITA all-sky survey: Cosmology constraints from cluster abundances in the western Galactic hemisphere

Ghirardini, V., ... Lamer, G., ... Schwope, A., ...

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 689, A298 – Published September 2024

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202348852, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: X-ray Astronomy

Projection factor and radii of Type II Cepheids: BL Her stars

Wielgórski, P., ... Storm, J., ...

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 689, A241 – Published September 2024

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202450182, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Dwarf Galaxies and the Galactic Halo

Hubble Space Telescope proper motions of Large Magellanic Cloud star clusters: I. Catalogues and results for NGC 1850

Niederhofer, F., ... Kacharov, N., ... Cioni, M.-R. L., ...

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 689, A162 – Published September 2024

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202450255, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Dwarf Galaxies and the Galactic Halo, Milky Way and the Local Volume

The high-energy environment of the heavy sub-Earth GJ 367 b indicates likely complete evaporation of its atmosphere

Poppenhaeger, K., Ketzer, L., Ilic, N., ...

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 689, A188 – Published September 2024

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202449351, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Stellar Physics and Exoplanets

Exploring the stellar rotation of early-type stars in the LAMOST medium-resolution survey: III. Evolution

Sun, W., Chiappini, C.

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 689, A141 – Published September 2024

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202450628, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Milky Way and the Local Volume

Unveiling the nature of two dwarf novae: CRTS J080846.2+313106 and V416 Dra

Joshi, A., ... Schwope, A., ...

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 689, A158 – Published September 2024

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202348307, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: X-ray Astronomy

From gas to stars: MUSEings on the internal evolution of IC 1613

Taibi, S., ... Roth, M. M., ... Kacharov, N., ...

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 689, A88 – Published September 2024

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202449468, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Dwarf Galaxies and the Galactic Halo, Astrophotonics (innoFSPEC), Milky Way and the Local Volume

Chandra Survey in the AKARI deep field at the North Ecliptic Pole: Optical and near-infrared identifications of X-ray sources

Miyaji, T., ... Krumpe, M., ...

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 689, A83 – Published September 2024

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202450453, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: X-ray Astronomy

Can the splashback radius be an observable boundary of galaxy clusters?

Lebeau, T., Ettori, S., Aghanim, N., Sorce, J. G.

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 689, A19 – Published September 2024

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202450146, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Cosmology and High-Energy Astrophysics

Detecting galaxy groups populating the local Universe in the eROSITA era

Marini, I., ... Lamer, G., ...

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 689, A7 – Published September 2024

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202450442, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: X-ray Astronomy

Revealing the chemical structure of the Magellanic Clouds with APOGEE. I. Calculating individual stellar ages of RGB stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Povick, J. T., ... Cioni, M.-R. L., ...

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 533, 3, 3685 – Published September 2024

doi:10.1093/mnras/stae1949, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Dwarf Galaxies and the Galactic Halo

Ram-pressure stripped radio tails detected in the dynamically active environment of the Shapley Supercluster

Merluzzi, P., ... Krajnović, D., ...

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 533, 2, 1394 – Published September 2024

doi:10.1093/mnras/stae1867, NASA ADS

AIP sections/groups: Galaxies and Quasars

[List of AIP publications] [AIP publications in ADS]

Events and dates at AIP

External Colloquium | Margot Leemker (U. of Milan)

10.10.2024, 14:00 – 16:00

Scientific

A fish out of water: unique observations of water in planet-forming disks

Water is a crucial ingredient for life as we know it on Earth. Furthermore, water enhances planet formation and it is the main carrier of oxygen, one of the most abundant elements. Still, the trail of water from clouds to planets is unclear. Water on Earth may be inherited from its parent molecular cloud, but it is also possible that water has been destroyed and reformed along the water trail from the cloud to the disk. In addition, spatially resolved observations of water in planet-forming disks are extremely rare, hiding one of the most important molecules from our sight at the moment planets are forming. In this talk I will show the latest results looking at water in planet-forming disks, including both the first spatially resolved observations of the main water isotopologue tracing the spatial extend of water, and the most rare isotopologue observed to date tracing whether or not water is inherited from the earliest phases of star and planet formation.

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Book a Scientist

15.10.2024

Public Event

You never ask, you never know – speed dating with scientists. At “Book a Scientist” you have the chance to exchange thoughts with an expert from the Leibniz Association for 25 minutes and the AIP is also taking part again. "How do we measure our galaxy?" is the topic of Dr. Katja Weingrill. Until October 11, you can book a meeting now.

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