03/23/2026
By Lynne Schaufenbil

Please join the Lowell Center for Space Science and Technology on Thursday, April 2 at 11 a.m. for a talk by Shany Danieli on Observational Frontiers in Dwarf Galaxies: Probing Dark Matter and Galaxy Formation on Small Scales.

Low-mass (dwarf) galaxies are among the most valuable objects for probing dark matter and galaxy formation on small scales. Because they are inherently faint and challenging to detect and characterize, studies thus far have primarily focused on dwarf galaxies orbiting the Milky Way. In this talk, I will address the major obstacles in studying low-mass galaxies at varying distances and present findings from novel observations of dwarfs beyond the Local Group, made possible by advances in telescope technology and image processing. These discoveries reveal a remarkable diversity and introduce new astrophysical puzzles. I will share insights into the connection between satellite galaxies and their host dark matter halos, drawing from a unique dataset of satellite galaxies in the Local Volume from the ELVES survey. Additionally, I will discuss phenomena related to extragalactic low-mass galaxies, including size-mass outliers, variations in dark matter content, and the diversity in their globular cluster populations. I will conclude with ongoing and future surveys critical to mapping the broader population and properties of low-mass galaxies

Bio: Shany Danieli is an observational astrophysicist specializing in low-mass and low-surface-brightness galaxies and their role in dark matter and galaxy formation on small scales. She is a Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in the School of Physics & Astronomy at Tel Aviv University, where she leads research into the faintest galactic populations to probe the interplay between visible matter and dark matter across cosmic environments.

Danieli received her B.Sc. in Physics & Astronomy from Tel Aviv University before completing her M.Sc., M.Phil., and Ph.D. in Physics at Yale University, where she worked with Prof. Pieter van Dokkum. After earning her Ph.D., she was awarded a NASA Hubble Fellowship and a Carnegie-Princeton Fellowship, holding positions at the Institute for Advanced Study and Princeton University before returning to Israel to join the faculty at Tel Aviv University.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Lynne_Schaufenbil@uml.edu