Interstellar dust makes up about one percent of the visible mass of the Milky Way and absorbs as much as half the ultraviolet light emitted by hot stars. How those grains form, what they are made of, and how they evolve are still open problems. Polarimetry is one of the few tools that can answer them directly.
PUFFINS COLLABORATION
Researchers with expertise in target selection, supporting ground-based spectropolarimetry or grain-alignment modelling can explore collaboration with PUFFINS. The team also welcomes ultraviolet instrumentation inquiries from students and postdoctoral researchers. Contact the principal investigators with your relevant expertise and a proposed area of research collaboration.
WHY IT MATTERS
Scientific research advances through collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and areas of technical expertise.
Opportunities such as PUFFINS provide a way for researchers to identify where their knowledge and interests may align with an existing scientific effort.
For students and early-career researchers, connecting with an active research team can also open conversations about specialized instrumentation and potential research directions.
Researchers and emerging scientists with expertise in astronomical observations, modeling, and ultraviolet instrumentation have an opportunity to connect with the PUFFINS research team.
The PUFFINS collaboration is inviting researchers with relevant scientific and technical expertise to explore opportunities to contribute to its ongoing research.
The team is particularly interested in connecting with specialists who can support target selection, ground-based spectropolarimetry, and grain-alignment modeling. Students and postdoctoral researchers interested in ultraviolet instrumentation are also encouraged to inquire about potential opportunities.
Areas for Collaboration
Target Selection: Researchers with experience identifying and evaluating astronomical observation targets can explore how their expertise may support the PUFFINS research effort.
Ground-Based Spectropolarimetry: Scientists working with spectropolarimetric observations can inquire about opportunities to contribute supporting ground-based research.
Grain-Alignment Modeling: Researchers specializing in grain-alignment modeling can explore potential collaborations involving theoretical and computational approaches.
Ultraviolet Instrumentation: Students and postdoctoral researchers interested in ultraviolet instrumentation are encouraged to contact the team to discuss their research interests and possible areas of involvement.
How to Get Involved
Interested researchers should contact the PUFFINS principal investigators with a brief introduction outlining their relevant expertise and a proposed area of research collaboration.
Providing a specific research interest or technical capability can help the team evaluate potential alignment.
