‘Vast discovery’ of black holes in dwarf galaxies March 5, 2025 Using early data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), a team of scientists, led by University of Utah postdoctoral researcher Ragadeepika Pucha, have compiled the largest sample ever of dwarf galaxies that host an actively feeding black hole, as well as the most […]
Read MoreTanmoy Laskar & Team Awarded inaugural Scialog Award February 25, 2025 Above: Tanmoy Laskar, assistant professor, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Utah University of Utah astronomer Tanmoy Laskar and his team have been awarded $60,000 in direct costs to support research through the first year of the Scialog: Early Science with LSST. The […]
Read MoreWidening our Cosmic View Above: Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Photo credit, NASA February 6, 2025 In a field of groundbreaking discoveries and analytical research papers, it’s easy to lose sight of the humanity behind the STEM fields. This includes the meticulous organization that goes into every project, the countless sleepless nights seeking their completion […]
Read MorePresidential Societal Impact Award Above: Tino Nyawelo February 3, 2025 Tino Nyawelo, physics, is one of five faculty members named by University of Utah President Taylor Randall as 2025-26 Presidential Societal Impact Scholars for exemplary public engagement, from eliminating health inequities to helping communities plan and prepare for disasters and mentoring STEM education students.
Read MoreFormer Space Researcher and Analyst Pens Gripping Mystery Sep 24, 2024 Above: Elizabeth Heider Utah native Elizabeth Heider BS’00 physics is set to sign copies of her debut mystery novel, “May the Wolf Die,” at Dolly’s Bookstore in Park City on Sept. 29 at 12 p.m. Heider’s novel, set in Naples, Italy, follows a female […]
Read MoreThe Intuitive Physicist of Vert Skating June 13, 2024 Above: Tony Hawk executing an impressive aerial maneuver on his skateboard. ‘Would you consider Tony Hawk a physicist?’ ‘I would consider Tony Hawk a physicist. If nothing else, he’s an intuitive scientist, right?’ Before you go, watch Kevin Davenport, assistant lecture professor in the Department of […]
Read MoreThe collapse and explosion of a massive star: B.O.A.T. April 19, 2024 Above: Artist’s visualization of GRB 221009A showing the narrow relativistic jets (emerging from a central black hole) that gave rise to the gamma-ray burst and the expanding remains of the original star ejected via the supernova explosion. CREDIT: AARON M. GELLER / NORTHWESTERN […]
Read MoreUtah Refugee Teens Build Cosmic Ray Detectors April 11, 2024 This collaborative cosmic ray project connects refugee youth to science On April 9, 2024, a community of refugee students and their families, scientists, educators and policymakers will celebrate an event three years in the making—the installation of five cosmic ray detectors atop the Department […]
Read MoreA collection of alumni, student and faculty stories from the U Department of Physics & Astronomy.
Read MoreInformation Engines Pay the Piper Physicists sometimes get a bad rap. Theoretical physicists even more so. Consider Sheldon Cooper in the TV sit-com The Big Bang Theory: Sheldon: I’m a physicist. I have a working knowledge of the entire universe and everything it contains. Penny: Who’s Radiohead? Sheldon: (after several seconds of twitching) I have […]
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