LONDON, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2025: Maynooth University, a constituent university of the National University of Ireland, has joined the Mauve science programme. The team from Maynooth will be led by Associate Professor Dr Emma Whelan.
Dr Whelan, who earned her PhD in observational astronomy from the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies and Trinity College Dublin, specialises in high-angular-resolution optical and near-infrared observations, with particular expertise in spectroastrometry.
Her group investigates outflow and accretion in young stars and brown dwarfs, shedding light on how stars lose angular momentum, drive jets and winds, and initiate planet formation. Their work uses facilities such as the Very Large Telescope, James Webb Space Telescope, and soon the Extremely Large Telescope. She also has expertise in radio and X-ray astronomy.
“We are delighted to be joining the Mauve science programme and eagerly anticipate the discoveries it will deliver,” said Dr Whelan. “Until now, our work has primarily relied on ground-based 8-metre-class telescopes, so Mauve represents an exciting new direction for our research. Its monitoring capabilities will provide a fresh window on intermediate-mass star formation and offer valuable new insights. We are also inspired by Mauve’s model of collaboration: as a small, targeted private initiative, it promises an agile and democratic approach to running a science mission—quite different from the larger collaborations I’ve been part of in the past.”
Benjamin Wilcock, Senior Science Programme Manager at Blue Skies Space, commented: “We are excited to bring Dr Whelan and Maynooth University into the Mauve science programme. Her expertise in star formation and observational astronomy will be an important addition to our growing collaboration.”
Equipped with a 13 cm telescope and an ultraviolet-visible spectrometer, Mauve will observe hundreds of stars, collecting valuable data to support a variety of scientific objectives. These include studying stellar flares, their effects on the habitability of nearby exoplanets, and insights into the long-term stability of different stellar types. Mauve is scheduled to launch aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-15 in October 2025.