Physics and Astronomy

A colorful assortment of galaxies against a dark sky.

Feature

Students lead ultra-fast telescope project

The nimble new telescopes will be the first to catch mergers of black holes and neutron stars in the act.

Andrew Surine, white, very curly hair and glasses, holds a big cockroach.

Feature

Where little discoveries go a long way

In their research projects, three students reach down into the quantum realm, across to the plant world, and up into space.

Per Jorgenson and Eric Geistfeld in head shots.

Feature

Pandemic doesn’t stop NASA—or student interns

Last summer, students worked for NASA on projects that moved at supersonic speed.

News Release

Scientists propose plan to store bio samples on the moon

U of M researchers are working with scientists across the country on a plan that could safeguard Earth’s endangered biodiversity thanks to the extremely low temperatures of the moon's permanently shadowed craters.

An image of red soil evoking the dry and harsh conditions on Mars.

Research Brief

Exploring extremes in the search for life on Mars

While the search for life on Mars continues, U of M scientists learn more about how life might function on its arid terrain.

Image of a hand with a latex glove holding a computer chip in a plastic container.

News Release

New research could improve performance of artificial intelligence and quantum computers

A University of Minnesota Twin Cities-led team developed a more energy-efficient, tunable superconducting diode — a promising component for future electronic devices — that could help scale up quantum computers for industry and improve artificial intelligence systems.

News Release

First-of-its-kind measurement of Universe’s expansion rate weighs in on longstanding astronomy debate

University of Minnesota-led research could help more accurately determine the Universe’s age

Image of space objects taken with the James Webb telescope.

News Release

U of M researchers discover tiny galaxy with big star power

Using first-of-their-kind observations from the James Webb Space Telescope, a University of Minnesota Twin Cities-led team looked more than 13 billion years into the past to discover a unique, minuscule galaxy that could help astronomers learn more about galaxies that were present shortly after the Big Bang.

News Release

Red-supergiant supernova images reveal secrets of an earlier universe

An international research team led by the University of Minnesota Twin Cities has measured the size of a star dating back more than 11 billion years ago using images that show the evolution of the star exploding and cooling. The research could help scientists learn more about the early universe.

Physics and Astronomy Story Archive

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