Alcott Medal for Distinguished Service from the American Association of Variable Star Observers

Outstanding Mentoring & Teaching Award Villanova University

1982 
Guinan and Villanova colleague Frank Maloney found evidence of rings around the planet Neptune. Their discovery was confirmed in 1989 by NASA’s Voyager Mission.

One of first to observe rings around Neptune

Helped establish the Biruni Observatory in Shiraz, Iran.

2010-2015
Keppler Mission searched for and discovered Earth-size exoplanets.

Kepler Mission Guest Investigator

Active in establishing and promoting international astronomy education, research and outreach programs in developing countries. These include the International School for Young Astronomers (ISYA) and Teaching Astronomy for Development (TAD). Since 2012 he has been the Chair of the Astronomy for Universities and Research Program at the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU/OAD). In addition, he participates in CARIB-STEM programs held at the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI).

International Astronomical Union's Global Astronomy, Education and Outreach

IAU Office for Astronomy Development (OAD): Task Force for Education and Research in Universities

International Astronomical Union

American Astronomical Society

American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)

About Exobiology: The Case for Dwarf K Stars

The Habitability of Proxima Centauri B. I. Irradiation, Rotation and Volatile Inventory From Formation to the Present

The Secret Life of Cepheids: Evolution, Mass Loss, and Ultraviolet Emission of the Long Period Classical Cepheid L Carinae

Living with a Red Dwarf: Rotation and X-Ray and Ultraviolet Properties of the Halo Population Kapteyn's Star

Magnetic Field and Wind of Kappa Ceti: Toward the Planetary Habitability of the Young Sun When Life Arose on Earth

KYW  Interview -- Ed Guinan on Autumnal Equinox -- 9-23-13.mp3

Villanova University was founded in 1842 by the Order of Saint Augustine. To this day, Villanova’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition is the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. Villanova prepares students to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them.


The strength of the Villanova experience comes in part from the University’s welcoming community. All members are bonded together by a shared responsibility to uphold the ideals of Saint Augustine and let the principles of truth, unity and love guide their lives. The Villanova community helps students grow intellectually, professionally and spiritually, and challenges them to reach their full potential.


The University’s rigorous academic experience, rooted in the liberal arts, forms an environment in which students and professors are partners in learning. The Villanova community is dedicated to providing a personalized experience that fosters every student’s intellectual and spiritual well-being. As part of their education, students are encouraged to enrich their own lives by working for those in need. Through academic and service programs, students use their knowledge, skills and compassion to better the world around them.


There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University’s six colleges—the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. These colleges are the setting for an experience that develops both the heart and the mind, and creates the atmosphere where students are called to ignite change.


Villanova University is located in a suburban community 12 miles west of Philadelphia, Pa.

Villanova University

Dr. Guinan is a pioneer in astronomy and space science research that studies our Sun, stars, and planets inside and outside our solar system as well as the search for potential life on these planets. His recent research efforts are primarily aimed at studying the effects that X-ray and UV from host stars have on their planets and to determine if these exoplanets could be habitable. Dr. Guinan also carries out research in astrobiology on Earth to study extremophiles (life in extreme conditions) as proxies for potential life on Venus, Mars, and Titan. A principal and guest investigator on numerous NASA astronomy and NASA and NSF sponsored research programs, Dr. Guinan is adept at presenting complex astronomical concepts in a lively, clear fashion.

Dr. Guinan is active in establishing and promoting astronomy education worldwide. He is a founding member of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS) and the East Africa Astronomical Society (EAAS). Dr. Guinan also served as the Chair of the International Astronomy Union’s (IAU) Teaching Astronomy for Development (TAD) program and was Co-chair of the International School of Young Astronomers (ISYA) for over 10 years. In these programs he helped organize schools and workshops in dozens of developing countries. Currently he is the Co-chair of the IAU Office for Astronomy Development (OAD) Task Force that stimulates and supports astronomy research and education at universities in many developing countries. In addition, since 2012 he helps organize and participated in several CARIB-STEM programs held at the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI). 

In addition to this international outreach work, Dr. Guinan has served on the Council of the American Astronomical Society (AAS). He currently is serving on the AAS Publication Board. While a member of the AAS council he and two colleagues initiated a travel grant program to support the attendance of minorities at meetings of the American Astronomical Society: Funds for Astronomical Meetings: Funds for Astronomical Meetings: Outreach to Underrepresented Scientists  (FAMOUS).

Stellar Astrophysics Including Solar Activity and Flares

Astrobiology/Exobiology

Exoplanets and the Suitability of Exoplanets for Life

Pulsating Stars and Stellar Evolution

Interstellar Travel Potential

Severe & Hazardous Weather / Global Warming

Farsi

ResearchGate

NASA/SAO Astrophysical Data System (ADS) 

Unprecedented Image May Reveal Impending Supernova that Could be Visible from Earth

New Calculations Have Raised Concerns Popular Eclipse Maps Might Be Off. Here’s What Scientists Say

An Unusual Green Comet Has Eagles Fans Excited Ahead of the NFC Championship Game

Is there a planet out there even better than Earth?

The dimming of Betelgeuse: ‘We have directly witnessed the formation of so-called stardust’

Our Apollo-inspired dreams of living on the moon could still come true

Primitive life is possible on nearby exoplanet, scientists say

Villanova astronomer among team discovering Super Earth

5 Questions That Make Astrobiologists Squirm

Researchers report long hidden properties of Polaris

Edward Guinan, Villanova University – Growing Food on Mars

Mars bar won’t have beer, but dandelion wine is a possibility

If We Ever Get to Mars, the Beer Might Not Be Bad

Millions in U.S. Look Skyward During Solar Eclipse

What scientists hope to learn from the eclipse

Why NASA is expanding its 'Veggie' space program

This Planet Just Outside Our Solar System Is 'Potentially Habitable'

The new object, nicknamed the goblin, is very far from the sun.

New dwarf planet spotted at the very fringe of our solar system

New astronomical discoveries seem to be occurring at warp speed these days. On October 1 astronomers announced the discovery of another new dwarf planet designated 2015 TG387, according to Edward Guinan, PhD, a professor in Villanova’s Department of Astrophysics and Planetary Sciences.

“It was found at the edge of our solar system far beyond Pluto. This small planet has an orbit that lends further support to the presence of a larger more distant large planet. This yet unseen mysterious planet is dubbed Planet Nine or Planet X,” Guninan explained. 

“This very faint dwarf planet has been given the nickname "the Goblin" by the discovery team.  At a distance of 80 astronomical units (AU,) this very faint, slow moving object is more than twice as far from the Sun than Pluto that averages 39 AU,” says Guinan. “One AU is the distance between the Earth and Sun (i.e. 1 AU= 93 million miles). 2015 TG387 has an estimated diameter of roughly 300 kilometers (180 miles) and probably made of mostly of ice / frozen methane.” 

“The Goblin joins other distant faint objects such Sedna (known as Inner Oort Cloud objects) that orbits beyond Pluto and whose highly elongated orbits appear to be gravitationally perturbed by a hypothetical large, dark Earth-size (or even larger) body,”  he added.  “This distant perturbing object (referred to as Planet Nine or Planet X) may be a rogue planet that was ejected from another star system and captured by the Sun millions of years ago.”

 To contact Guinan, please click his headshot above, call the Media Relations office at (610) 519-5152 or email mediaexperts@villanova.edu.


New Dwarf Planet Dubbed “The Goblin” Discovered on Outskirts of our Solar System

“Sun in Time Program”

The Study of Eclipsing Binaries using Artificial Intelligence

Living with a Red Dwarf Program

“Astrobiology: Life in Pitch Lakes and Mud Volcanoes as Analogs for Potential Life on Titan and Mars

james-webb-space-telescope-images-deliver-new-look-at-universe-potential-for-life-in-the-cosmos

Professor of Astrophysics and Planetary Sciences | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

On July 12, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) unveiled its long-awaited first images from the James Webb Space Telescope, a cutting-edge tool sent out with the mission of furthering our understanding of the universe. The telescope delivered on its promise, depicting the cosmos more clearly than we’ve ever seen.

 
Among the many in awe was Villanova astronomy and astrophysics professor Ed Guinan, PhD, who’s familiar with extraterrestrial discovery. In 1968, Guinan helped observe evidence of Neptune’s ring system and has been involved in research beyond our planet for over 50 years.

“The first few photos are beautiful, showing highly detailed images of stars, galaxies, nebulae and gravitational lensed distant galaxies” Dr. Guinan said. “Some of the oldest galaxies formed as far back as 13-to-13.5 billion years, right after the Big Bang.”

The latest images come almost seven months after Webb’s launch in December. A series of steps needed to be completed for the mission to be successful.

“Many things could’ve gone wrong, and if something failed, it would be too far away to fix,” Dr. Guinan said.

 
One of the photos featured a signature of water in the atmosphere of a distant sun-like star, showing the unique capabilities of Webb. Dr. Guinan, along with assistant astrophysics and planetary science professor Scott Engle, PhD, have been researching the potential habitability of Earth-sized exoplanets over the last decade, and he believes this telescope may be able to help bring clarity to finding life outside of our planet.

“Several of these potentially habitable exoplanet systems are planned to be observed with the telescope to search for spectroscopic evidence of life,” Dr. Guinan said. “Webb is capable of answering these questions, whether these Earth-sized planets may be suitable for harboring complex life, possibly intelligent life.”	



James Webb Space Telescope Images Deliver New Look at Universe, Potential for Life in the Cosmos

Ed Guinan talks to WHYY about his newest research project: testing what foods can grow on Mars by growing plants in Martian soil on Villanova's campus.

Growing Food on Mars

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