Meet the AAS Keynote Speaker: Prof. Mario Jurić
In this article, we delve into the fascinating world of Professor Mario Jurić, a renowned expert in the field of astronomy and a key figure in one of the most ambitious surveys ever undertaken. With a passion for uncovering the secrets of our Solar System and the universe beyond, Jurić is a leader in the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) project, which aims to map the entire Southern night sky over the next decade.
Jurić's journey into astronomy began during his graduate studies, where he realized the immense scale of his research. With an estimated distance to 48 million stars, his work was almost 700 times more extensive than any previous paper on a similar topic. This realization came at a pivotal moment in the history of observational astronomy, as the field was transitioning to digital surveys, enabling an unprecedented increase in the number of celestial objects being studied.
One of the most exciting aspects of LSST, according to Jurić, is its potential to revolutionize our understanding of the Solar System. With the Vera C. Rubin Observatory's 8.4-meter Simonyi Survey Telescope, LSST will image the entire Southern night sky every three nights over the next decade. This vast dataset will provide an unparalleled opportunity to study asteroids, comets, and other small bodies in our Solar System.
Jurić's enthusiasm for LSST is evident as he highlights the project's ability to double the number of known asteroids in the next year and a half, triple them by the end of the survey, and potentially find almost a factor of 7 more trans-Neptunian objects and a factor of 2 more hazardous asteroids. These discoveries will significantly contribute to our understanding of the Solar System's formation and composition, including the birth locations of planets and their migration patterns.
However, Jurić's interest in astronomy didn't always revolve around the Solar System. He credits the digital revolution in the early 2000s, where software became as crucial as telescopes and cameras, as a turning point in his career. This shift allowed him to delve into the world of large surveys, which have become a central focus of his work. Jurić's fascination with data-intensive surveys and his background in computer science led him to pursue a career in physics, as he believed it would be more challenging to self-teach quantum mechanics.
Despite his success in large surveys, Jurić emphasizes the importance of students taking risks with novel projects. He advises against joining large projects with long-term payoffs, as the field of astronomy is rapidly evolving. Instead, he encourages students to pursue small-scale, innovative ideas that can be evaluated within a few years. This approach allows students to stay agile and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of astronomical research.
As LSST continues to make groundbreaking discoveries, Jurić remains dedicated to his work, ensuring that he finds time to spend with his family despite the demanding nature of his profession. With his Plenary Talk at #AAS248, scheduled for June 15, 2026, Jurić is set to share exciting new findings from the Solar System, further showcasing the power of LSST in unraveling the universe's mysteries.
