Physics and Astronomy

A photo of Grace Murray Hopper from the Vassarion. Hopper has dark hair and is dressed in formal attire, wearing a pearl necklace and facing the camera.

CelebratingGrace Murray Hopper ’1928

Grace Hopper is often credited for creating modern computing. In many ways, Vassar helped to create Grace Hopper. Read more about Hopper’s life and work.

The Physics and Astronomy Department at Vassar College offers students an engaging learning environment consisting of a rigorous program of study augmented by a diverse research agenda.

The department faculty are dedicated to continuously using and exploring innovative and effective teaching strategies, and to developing a strong research program aimed at providing ample opportunity for undergraduate students to have a hands-on experience. Physics and astronomy majors are prepared for graduate studies in not only physics and astronomy, but also engineering, education, and medicine. The faculty is also committed to teaching courses that promote scientific literacy for students who do not choose to major in the sciences.

News

A person wearing glasses and a sleeveless dress speaking to a group of students.

Shedding Light on Dark Matter

Visiting scientist Sandrine Thomas updated the Vassar community on operations at the amazing new observatory named for renowned astronomer Vera C. Rubin ’48.

From Black Holes to Large Language Models

This summer, a record 95 students worked with faculty members on 44 projects in 9 disciplines as part of the Undergraduate Research Summer Institute (URSI).

Jenny Magnes, Professor of Physics, and Juan Merlo-Ramírez, Associate Professor of Physics, Publish New Book

Jenny Magnes, Professor of Physics, and Juan Merlo-Ramírez, Associate Professor of Physics, recently published a new book, Optical Interference and Dynamic Diffraction: Research methods for undergraduates. Their book introduces Dynamic Optical Diffraction (DOD), developed by Professor Magnes, and draws on both authors’ pedagogical experience to “fill in the elementary material often omitted from the literature on diffraction and Fourier transforms,” mathematical tools that help analyze signal frequencies.

Colette Salyk, Associate Professor of Astronomy and Chair of Physics and Astronomy on the Marisa Mitchell Chair at Vassar College poses in the library.

Vassar Astronomer Secures Grant To Explore Planet Formation

Colette Salyk, Associate Professor of Astronomy, secured funding through the Space Telescope Science Institute for the study of planet formation with collaborators at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Two smiling people in a lab wearing gloves and holding lab containers.

Thanks to URSI, Scientific Research is Going Strong at Vassar

Deep cuts in government funding for scientific research have forced many colleges and other institutions to curtail or even eliminate many research programs. This has not been the case at Vassar. The College’s Undergraduate Research Summer Institute (URSI) ran right on schedule this summer.

Vera C. Rubin Observatory sits atop a rocky mountain ridge at sunset, with vibrant orange and yellow hues lighting the sky.

Powerful Telescope at Observatory Named for Vera Rubin ’48 Captures Stunning Images of the Cosmos

Vera C. Rubin Observatory, situated high in the Andes Mountains, is enabling scientists across the globe to learn a lot more about the nature of the universe.

Associate Professor of Astronomy Colette Salyk was quoted in an article for Space.com about a star consuming a planet, after the two collided, along with the mention of the observatory honoring noted astronomer Vera C. Rubin ’48.

Person speaking to an an audeince in front of a window with trees in the background.

Vassar Celebrates 50 Years of Science, Technology, and Society Program with Two-Day Event

Students, faculty, alums and scholars from several colleges and universities took part in a celebration of more than 50 years of teaching and learning in Science, Technology and Society at Vassar.

A group of people in a classroom standing behind a computer.

Vassar Acquires Powerful Quantum Computer for Use in the Classroom and Student Research

Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy enabled Vassar to acquire a powerful quantum computer that will be used as a teaching tool for physics majors and others at the College.