All Posts in #Physics
Late Alumna Helped Advance Satellite Technology, Understanding of the Sun, Women in Science
Astrophysicist Joan Feynman G’58 was a pioneer in solar physics. Her work helped explain the cycles of sunspots, and her insights on high-energy particles helped shape satellite technology. Feynman died on July 22 at 93. Feynman’s work accurately described the…
A&S Associate Dean, Physics Chair Answers Common Fall Foliage Questions
With the start of autumn coming up on Sept. 22, the leaves are beginning to turn colors, exposing beautiful bright foliage for leaf peepers to enjoy over the next several weeks. Alan Middleton is professor and chair of physics and…
“Mystery Object Blurs Line between Neutron Stars and Black Holes.”
Duncan Brown, the Charles Brightman Professor of Physics in the College of Arts and Sciences, was quoted by Scientific American for the article “Mystery Object Blurs Line between Neutron Stars and Black Holes.” Professor Brown, an expert on gravitation waves,…
Physics Department Works to Improve Gravitational Wave Detection
Albert Einstein first predicted the presence of gravitational waves in 1916 in his general theory of relativity. Fast forward 99 years to 2015, when researchers obtained the first physical confirmation of a gravitational wave generated by two colliding black holes,…
Massive Asteroid Passing Earth Is ‘Time Machine’ From Early Solar System
NASA has discovered an asteroid as large as 2,000-feet that is barreling towards Earth, but is not expected to make an impact. NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies has identified the asteroid as 481394 (2006 SF6). It’s likely to be…
Physics Department Earns Honors; Embodies Syracuse University’s Research Prowess
Two Syracuse University physicists have been named fellows of the American Physical Society (APS), the latest professional recognition highlighting the increasing visibility of the department’s faculty and research. Lisa Manning, professor of physics and founding director of the BioInspired Institute, and Christian Santangelo,…
Chinese Moon Rover, Yutu-2, Discovers ‘Gel-like’ Substance
Walter Freeman, assistant teaching professor of physics in the College of Arts and Sciences, was quoted in the Earth Sky article “What has China’s rover found on the moon’s far side?” Freeman commented on the “gel-like” substance found in a…
Black Moon Event Bridges Fiction, Mythology and Science
For those looking up at the sky tonight in North America, you may notice something missing – the moon! That’s because July 31 marks a lunar event called the “black moon” which is the second new moon that happens in…
Northern Lights In Rare Spots This Week – This Is Why
Those looking up at the sky in northern U.S. states and most of Canada may catch a glimpse of the northern lights this week. Sam Sampere is a physics lab manager at Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences. Below,…
LIGO Livingston Detector Catches Binary Neutron Star Merger, Says Physics Professor
Today, the LIGO Livingston detector and VIRGO detector captured another binary neutron star merger Stefan Ballmer is an associate professor of physics at Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences. Below, he answers four key questions about the LIGO/VIRGO detection,…