科学美国人60秒:Astronomers Cluster at Massive Meeting Conjunction

More than 3,000 astronomers gathered near Washington, D.C., last week for what's sometimes called the "Super Bowl of Space," the 223rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society. There, scientists announced new findings about dark matter, galaxy formation and other mysteries of the cosmos. Plus, there was astronomers' open mic night:

[Audio of astronomer singing]

For many attendees, the science and the socializing are equally important. Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics:

“For those of us who still have that passion we had as kids for all aspects of astronomy, this is the place to connect and go. And it's a way to get new ideas.”

And it always helps to seal a new collaboration via a toast with every astronomers’ favorite beer. Blue Moon, of course.

—Clara Moskowitz