Faculty

Colette Salyk

Associate Professor of Astronomy on the Maria Mitchell Chair

Profile
Contact
Grants
In the Media
Photos

Dr. Salyk teaches courses in planetary science, observational astronomy, and introductory physics. She studies the formation of planets using both ground- and space-based telescopes. In particular, she studies the relationship between protoplanetary disk properties (including chemical composition) and planetary diversity.

BS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; MS, PhD, California Institute of Technology

At Vassar since 2015

Contact

cosalyk@vassar.edu

845-437-7075

Sanders Physics
Box 71

Website

Research and Academic Interests

Planetary Science; Observational Astronomy

Departments and Programs

Physics and Astronomy

Courses

ASTR 101 Solar System Astronomy
ASTR 230 Planetary and Space Science
ASTR 240 Observational Astronomy
ASTR 330 Extrasolar planets and planet formation

Grants, Fellowships, Honors, Awards

Colette Salyk Secures Grants from Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)
Colette Salyk, Associate Professor of Astronomy, has secured a grant award from the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in support of her program titled “A DSHARP-MIRI Treasury survey of Chemistry in Planet-forming Regions.” Utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope, Salyk will observe 17 actively forming planetary systems.

In the Media

Associate Professor of Astronomy Colette Salyk was quoted in an article for Space.com about a star consuming a planet, after the two collided, along with the mention of the observatory honoring noted astronomer Vera C. Rubin ’48.

Colette Salyk, Associate Professor of Astronomy, was quoted in Newsweek about the work she and other scientists have done with the James Webb Space Telescope to understand planet creation.

Colette Salyk, Associate Professor of Astronomy and Chair of Physics and Astronomy on the Marisa Mitchell Chair at Vassar College poses in the library.

Vassar Prof on NASA Team That Makes Discovery on How Planets Are Formed

A Vassar astronomy professor is part of a team of scientists that has made a breakthrough discovery revealing how planets are formed.

A study of hot, dense water vapor found in a protoplanetary disk led by Colette Salyk, Associate Professor of Astronomy, was the subject of an Astrobiology article.

Colette Salyk, Assistant Professor of Astronomy, is leading a research team examining the molecules in the inner regions of protoplanetary disks, as announced by NASA.

Hubble Sees a Cosmic Flapping 'Bat Shadow'

Assistant Professor of Astronomy Colette Salyk was quoted in a Hubblesite announcement about her team using NASA’s Hubble Telescope to view nascent stars resembling flapping “bat wings.”

Vassar College assistant prof has her eye on the sky

Colette Salyk, Assistant Professor of Astronomy, and her work gathering evidence of Earth-sized planets in our galaxy, were the subjects of a Daily Freeman story.

Photos

Download images for non-commercial use, photo credit required.

Credit

Photo: Karl Rabe / Vassar College