Physics & Astronomy

A group of Muon g-2 experiment particle storage rings at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Photo courtesy Fermilab

Wobbling the Foundations of the Universe

UM researchers part of experiment that finds strong evidence of undiscovered particles, forces April 14, 2021 by Shea Stewart University of Mississippi researchers are playing a key role in a groundbreaking search for undiscovered forms of matter and energy that could unlock an exciting new era of physics. On April 7, researchers working at the […]

UM physicist Leo Stein has been researching Einstein’s general theory of relativity, using signals from astronomical sources, with the most promising signals being gravitational waves, which are ripples in space and time. Gravitational waves have been detected as the result of the collision of a pair of black holes orbiting each other. Photo illustration courtesy of SXS Lensing, Simulating eXtreme Spacetimes Collaboration

Searching Beyond Einstein

UM professor receives National Science Foundation award to test general relativity theory March 23, 2021 by Shea Stewart A University of Mississippi professor will use his new National Science Foundation award to further explore Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity and pursue unlocking the universe’s gravitational secrets. Leo Stein, an assistant professor of physics and […]

Quiz Bowl and Speaker Highlight Double Virtual Oxford Science Cafe

Audience participation event, lecture scheduled for March 16 and 25 via Zoom March 9, 2021 by Edwin B. Smith Two separate events – including a science-focused trivia contest – will make up the virtual Oxford Science Cafe for March at the University of Mississippi. Both events, sponsored by the Department of Physics and Astronomy, are […]

Betsy Nelson pins an Air Force retirement pin to her husband’s flight suit. Col. Paul ‘Voodoo’ Nelson held his retirement ceremony at the Walk of Champions, the same place he was commissioned more than three decades earlier. Photo by Logan Kirkland/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services

Ole Miss Alumnus Celebrates 31 Years of Military Service in the Grove

Col. Paul ‘Voodoo’ Nelson hopes to pass on legacy of service in return home January 13, 2021 by JB Clark On a sunny October afternoon, retiring Air Force flight surgeon Col. Dr. Paul Nelson (BA physics 89) and wife Betsy Moore Nelson (BS 89) welcomed friends and family to the University of Mississippi to mark […]

UM Health Center staff show off their bandages after getting the first doses of their COVID vaccines. The history and variety of vaccines is the topic for the Jan. 19 edition of the university’s Science Cafe, which will be available on Zoom. Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services

Understanding Vaccines Topic for Virtual Oxford Science Cafe

UM biologist to discuss types, safety and side effects during Jan. 19 event on Zoom January 8, 2021 by Edwin B. Smith The history and variety of vaccines – including the recent development of vaccines for COVID-19 – is the topic for a virtual Oxford Science Cafe scheduled for Jan. 19 by University of Mississippi […]

Graduate Students Helping Organize 2021 ComSciCon-Atlanta

Annual workshop helps participants hone their science communication skills NOVEMBER 30, 2020 BY EDWIN B. SMITH Two University of Mississippi students are co-organizers of an upcoming workshop aimed at helping graduate students in the Southeast hone their skills in science communication. Sumeet Kulkarni, a master’s student in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Kritika […]

This illustration shows the path of COVID-19 as it enters and infects cells inside the human respiratory system. Submitted graphic

Understanding COVID-19 Topic for Virtual Oxford Science Cafe

UM professor to discuss origins, infection processes of virus during Nov. 17 event on Zoom November 11, 2020 by Edwin B. Smith The infection processes of the COVID-19 virus are the topic for a virtual Oxford Science Cafe scheduled for Nov. 17 by University of Mississippi faculty researchers. The program will be hosted on Zoom […]

A gift from the Kelly Gene Cook Charitable Foundation will help provide laboratory facilities in the Jim and Thomas Duff Center for Science and Technology Innovation at the University of Mississippi. One of the laboratories will be named for Kelly Gene Cook Sr.

Supporting STEM

Cook Foundation Designates Major Gift to New UM Building NOVEMBER 4, 2020 BY BILL DABNEY The Kelly Gene Cook Charitable Foundation, a longtime supporter of the University of Mississippi, has pledged $250,000 to the construction of a state-of-the-art facility on the Oxford campus dedicated to the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The […]

Archive Photo: Students and faculty members from the UM Department of Physics and Astronomy demonstrate how liquid nitrogen can quickly freeze everyday items at a previous year’s ‘Spooky Physics Demonstrations.’ This year’s edition of the annual Halloween-themed science show will be streamed via Zoom from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday (Oct. 30). Photo by Megan Wolfe/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services

Virtual ‘Spooky Physics Demonstrations’ Set for Friday

Department of Physics and Astronomy offering night of fun and frights for all OCTOBER 28, 2020 BY EDWIN B. SMITH Even in the face of a pandemic, the University of Mississippi Department of Physics and Astronomy will present its annual “Spooky Physics Demonstrations” this Friday (Oct. 30) although this year it will be held virtually […]

Jennifer Meyer, UM instructional assistant professor of physics and astronomy, will discuss the discovery of chemicals that generally signal the presence of life in the atmosphere of Venus for this month’s Oxford Science Cafe. Submitted photo

Potential for Life on Venus Topic for Virtual Science Cafe

UM professor to discuss discovery of phosphine on shrouded planet during Oct. 20 event October 19, 2020 by Edwin B. Smith The recent discovery of chemical compounds that may indicate the possibility of life in the atmosphere surrounding Venus is the topic for a virtual Oxford Science Cafe scheduled Tuesday (Oct. 20) by University of Mississippi event organizers. […]