Physics and Astronomy News and Updates

A team of three astrophysicists — Katherine Freese at the University of Texas at Austin, in collaboration with Cosmin Ilie and Jillian Paulin ’23 at Colgate University — analyzed images from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and found three bright objects that might be “dark stars,” theoretical objects much bigger and brighter than our sun, powered by particles of dark matter annihilating. If confirmed, dark stars could reveal the nature of dark matter, one of the deepest unsolved problems in all of physics.

Physics major Leon Nichols ’23 is one of the four Colgate recipients of the 2023 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.

Physics major Sarah Miller ’24 and astrogeophysics major Gavin Fowler ’24 are among the three Colgate students who received a 2023 Goldwater Scholarship.

If you’re reading this, you are almost certainly not a fish. But Linda Tseng, assistant professor of environmental studies and physics, thinks we humans need to take the perspective of our water-dwelling friends more often.

Anthony Aveni, Russell Colgate Distinguished University Professor of Astronomy and Anthropology and Native American Studies emeritus, tells the Norse story of creation.

American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) has featured Professor Beth Parks in their August 2022 member spotlight.

Physics & Astronomy student Jillian Paulin ’23 has received the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship. The Goldwater Scholarship Program, one of the oldest and most prestigious national scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics in the United States, seeks to identify and support college sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise of becoming this nation’s next generation of research leaders in these fields.

Jonathan Levine, Associate Professor of Physics, works with Joe Eakin in Colgate's Ho Tung Visualization Lab to fully immerse his Astronomy 101 students in the wonders of the universe.

Colgate physics and astronomy student Riley Corcoran ’22 captured images of the James Webb Space Telescope as it made its way over the Colgate sky.

The departmental effort of improving the educational experience for students, restructuring introductory courses, providing research opportunities, and developing a sense of community has been recognized by the American Physical Society (APS) with the 2022 Award for Improving Undergraduate Physics Education.