Darryl Seligman

Darryl Seligman

Astronomer, Cornell University and Michigan State University

Darryl Z. Seligman is a National Science Foundation Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellow/Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Michigan State University. He completed his undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Physics at the University of Pennsylvania in 2015. He completed his Ph.D. at Yale University in Astronomy in 2020 and was awarded the Yale University Dirk Brouwer Memorial Prize for Outstanding Ph.D. Thesis. He is a recognized expert on comets, asteroids, planetary science, and exoplanets.

Latest articles by Darryl Seligman

A simulated view from the surface of Europa, one of Jupiter's four Galilean moons.

Exoplanetary parade: What would the night sky look like on alien worlds? (op-ed)

By Darryl Seligman published

Most of the planets are aligned in our night sky right now, providing a treat for skywatchers. Are such "planetary parades" visible from other worlds?

Stargazing
An artist's impression of a dark comet in the outer solar system.

Big 'dark comet' discoveries could be coming in 2025

By Darryl Seligman published

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time should spot many new "dark comets" after coming online in July 2025.

Comets
photo showing earth against the blackness of space

Why we're one step closer to understanding how Earth got its oceans (op-ed)

By Darryl Seligman published

Earth may have gotten some of its water from 'dark comets,' and the forthcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory could uncover key clues about these mysterious cosmic bodies.

Earth
artist's illustration of a pancake-shaped comet in deep space outgassing a whitish cloud of hydrogen

Could the solar system be teeming with interstellar objects? We'll soon find out (op-ed)

By Darryl Seligman published

With JWST and other telescopes, we now have the tools to tell the difference between an intelligent visitor and an interstellar 'dark comet' like 'Oumuamua. Let's not get fooled.

Solar System