U-M astronomers peer deeper into mysterious Flame Nebula

This collage of images from the Flame Nebula shows a visible light view from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope on the left, while the two insets at the right show the near-infrared view taken by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Much of the dark, dense gas and dust, as well as the surrounding white clouds within the visible light image, have been cleared in the near-infrared images, giving us a view into a more translucent cloud pierced by the infrared-producing objects within that are young stars and brown dwarfs. Astronomers used Webb to take a census of the lowest-mass objects within this star-forming region. In this image, light at wavelengths of 1.15 microns and 1.4 microns (filters F115W and F140M) is represented in blue, 1.82 microns (F182M) as green, 3.6 microns (F360M) as orange, and 4.3 microns (F430M) as red.

Using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, a team of researchers, including astronomers from the University of Michigan, are closing in on the answer to a looming cosmic question. In probing the Flame Nebula, they’re finding out what’s the smallest celestial body that can form on its own from clouds of gas and dust in space.

  1. Sepia toned image of two lines of women, facing one another, while fencing, circa 1903 in Barbour Gymnasium at University of Michigan.

    A sporting chance

    At the onset of the 20th century, women’s athletics expanded in the United States and at the University of Michigan. Women students took up tennis, archery, fencing, horseback riding, and more. The sidelines no longer sufficed, and women were determined to be on the field. But which field would that be?

  2. Caucasian female in gray turtleneck leans on a table in the Michigan Law Library, smiling to camera.

    Michigan Law’s Leah Litman on SCOTUS and the rise of the “New Substantive Due Process”

    Substantive due process is the idea that the Constitution protects certain rights not explicitly or specifically mentioned in its text, but which are a component of the liberty that is protected by the due process clause. In addition to abortion, it has been applied to things like criminalizing contraception or intimate relationships between adults.

  3. Group of musicians in black tie and ballgowns cluster in front of Grammy Awards step-and-repeat banner with their awards.

    U-M lecturer, staffer win Grammy with reed quintet

    In February, U-M’s Kari Landry and Andrew Koeppe won the Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition for ‘Strands,” a piece they’d recorded with their reed quintet Akropolis. Some 16 years before they stood on stage with a statuette at LA’s Peacock Theater, the five members of Akropolis were undergrads majoring in music at U-M.

  4. A typewritten letter dated 1938 from an angry Mercury Radio listener after the War of the Worlds broadcast.

    War of the Worlds fan mail reveals early version of ‘fake news’

    The U-M Library recently opened access to a digitized archive of some 1,300 fan letters sent in response to the 1938 broadcast of Orson Welles’ “War of the Worlds.” These letters dispel the myth — long perpetuated by the media — that Welles’ broadcast incited panic and hysteria.

  5. The White House

    U-M takes proactive measures related to federal funding

    The University is instituting new requirements to reduce spending as a “buffer against negative, long-term impacts on operations” stemming from federal funding cuts. The requirements involve hiring, budgets, and spending and are effective immediately.

  6. Scientists observe some kind of machine in a lab. They are wearing blue coats and protective glasses and are surrounded by machinery.

    U-M astronomy will lead its first satellite mission

    The project assembles a team of experts from across the country for a mission called STARI — STarlight Acquisition and Reflection toward Interferometry. The goal is to showcase the viability of a new technique for studying exoplanets, or planets outside of our solar system.

Creativity and connection across prison walls

One of the world’s largest and longest-running exhibitions of incarcerated artists is back with new programming designed to foster connection and deepen public understanding of incarceration in Michigan. The 29th annual Exhibition of Artists in Michigan Prisons, curated by U-M’s Prison Creative Arts Project, showcases 772 artworks by 538 artists incarcerated in 26 state prisons. The Duderstadt Center Gallery on U-M’s North Campus is presenting the artwork through April 1.

  • Most Wanted by Samantha Bachynski

    The exhibition features diverse styles and media, including paintings, portraits, tattoo imagery, landscapes, sculpture, fiber arts and found materials. Each fall, volunteers, including students, select the pieces and visit every prison in Michigan to interact directly with the artists. (See original image)

    Colorful night sky shows through tree branches. 2025 PCAP exhibition.

  • Tangerine Dreams by Matisse Bravo

    For over 35 years, PCAP has worked to bridge the gap between incarcerated individuals and the broader community through artistic collaboration, mutual learning and growth. The program has expanded to include undergraduate courses, weekly art workshops in Michigan prisons, an annual literary review and year-round events to foster dialogue and connection. (See original image)

    A plate of tangerines and tangerine slices on a green table with yellow wall. PCAP exhibition 2025.

  • Peacefulness by Susan Brown

    According to Emily Chase, PCAP’s exhibition and curatorial coordinator, themes of community and mentorship emerged strongly in this year’s collection. (See original image)

    Colorful landscape with stripes and a mountains. PCAP exhibition 2025.

  • Paths #2 by Kendall Leonard

    The exhibition allows incarcerated artists to have their voices heard beyond prison walls. “Their voices are so often silenced, and this is one of the few areas where they can feel heard,” says Mattie Levy, PCAP community engagement coordinator. (See original image)

    Colorful abstract painting from the 2025 PCAP exhibition.

  • Mountain Honey by Terry Stinebeck

    “We witnessed experienced artists mentoring newcomers and saw how the artistic efforts of one individual can motivate and inspire others,” says PCAP’s Emily Chase. (See original image)

    A serene landscape with a yellow sky and mountains. PCAP exhibition 2025.

  • House of Kards by Michael Browning

    Visitors to the Duderstadt exhibition can experience an audio tour that features select stories from some of the artists. (See original image)

    Abstract painting of a face card from a deck of cards. PCAP exhibition 2025.

  • Happiness Within by Groot

    This year, the exhibition introduced a new event, “Art and Music: A Collaborative Concert,” in which students performed original musical compositions inspired by select artworks. (See original image)

    Abstract image of youth with a surreal balloon. PCAP exhibition 2025.

  • Garden Escapades by Tim Brownell

    The concert that complemented the exhibition was a way to empower and unite with people impacted by the justice system through a shared love of creativity, says Ty Bloomfield, one of the event’s organizers. (See original image)

    A farm scene with crops growing in rows and red barn. PCAP exhibition 2025.

  • DMX by David Hudson-Bey

    The 2025 exhibition was presented with support from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the U-M Residential College. (See original image)

    Abstract of DMX painting with blues and greens. PCAP exhibition 2025.

  • Did I do that? by Daniel Teriberi

    For nearly three decades, the exhibition has provided a platform for incarcerated artists to share their work with the public, shedding light on personal narratives and the power of artistic expression. (See original image)

    Colorful abstract painting in 2025 PCAP exhibition.