When Physics & Astronomy faculty, researchers and students make news, we like to showcase it here. Whether it’s about ground-breaking discoveries or the fascinating people and stories in our department, these news pieces speak to the intriguing research, accomplished people and vibrant life within the Physics & Astronomy Department at Amherst College.  We hope to see you at one of our Annual Events in the near future!

Faculty News

The Sky Doesn't Have to Be the Limit!

Assistant Professor of Astronomy Kate Follette has won two large grants from the National Science Foundation that reflect the caliber of her research and teaching. 

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Professor’s Career in Research and Outreach Earns $500,000 Grant

National Science Foundation awards Ashley Carter a five-year, $500,000 grant through the Faculty Early Career Development Program.

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Physics Professor David Hall and Team First to Tie Knots in Quantum Matter

Physicists have long predicted the possibility of tying knots in quantum fields. But no one has been able to make or observe a three-dimensional quantum knot, until now. 

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Amherst Physicists Create New Quantum Particle in Campus Lab

Professor David Hall, his student research team and collaborators at Aalto University in Finland are the first in the world to make and observe the elusive skyrmion.

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The Birth of a Planet

A long time ago, in a solar system far, far away, a planet was born. Since its momentous birth, it has grown and grown and grown, far surpassing its distant cousin Earth in size.

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Because Everyone Loves the Sky

The first step to engaging more students and the public in astronomy at Amherst is a new observatory, which officially opened this month.

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Connor Robinson Five College Astronomy Department Education and Research

Measuring the density structure of an accretion hot spot

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Student News

From Cities to Stars: Two Juniors, One Senior Win National Awards

Jea Adams ’21 is among the newest recipients of a Goldwater Scholarship—considered the preeminent U.S. undergraduate award in mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering. Ryan McMillan ’20, who was awarded a Goldwater last year, has now won a National Science Foundation graduate fellowship.

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STEM Stars Become Goldwater Scholars

Lena Treiber ’22 searches for connections between the dimmest and brightest objects in outer space. 

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What's Happening in the Department?

Because Everyone Loves the Sky

The first step to engaging more students and the public in astronomy is a new observatory, which opened in the Science Center this fall.

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From Scrap to Scribe: Inside the Machine Shop

Amherst physics majors learned how to use lathes, milling machines, drill presses, grinders and precision measuring instruments to make things out of metal—a skill set that will come in handy if they ever need to craft their own customized pieces of laboratory equipment.

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Astronomer David Helfand ’72 Featured in New Yorker Article About James Webb Space Telescope

Helfand talks with writer Rivka Galchen about the long-delayed and soon-to-be-launched telescope, as well as about his family, education and career. The article also alludes to the work of astronaut Jeff Hoffman ’66, who helped to repair the Hubble Space Telescope in 1993.

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Inside Physics: Pendulums and Slinkies and Flippers! Oh My!

Each fall, “Physics 123: The Newtonian Synthesis: Dynamics of Particles and Systems, Waves,” taught by Professor David Hanneke explores a range of simple physical laws.

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Summer Robotics with Professor Ashley Carter

A team of six students from across several fields of study spent part of the summer assembling Eugene, a soccer-playing robot. 

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