University of Tennessee Physics and Astronomy

UT Physics had a great showing @ the US Muon Collider Meeting @uchicago! Rithika Ganesan won the best poster presentation, w/ Caroline Riggall earning an honorable mention. UT helps lead the US Muon Collider community & our students are part of the effort! @ArtsSciencesUT

Your favorite physics musicians are back! Science & Reason (Bains Professor Steven Johnston) and ColliderScope (Assistant Professor Larry Lee) will bring their unique sounds and imagery to Fly by Night on August 30. You won’t want to miss it! @ArtsSciencesUT

Have you ever thought a physics talk was interesting, but wasn’t physics? Today Andrew Zangwill of Georgia Tech reviews the debate about what belongs in the canon of physics. Join us at 3:30 pm in 307 SERF! physics.utk.edu/news-events/co… @ArtsSciencesUT

We’re elated to welcome our new and returning Physics Vols to Rocky Top! The office staff is ready to meet and greet you on Monday as we get the semester started, so stop by Nielsen 401 between 8 am and 3 pm to enjoy a donut and say hello! @ArtsSciencesUT

Our physicists’ research helps lay the building blocks for a new type of energy-efficient electronics called spin electronics. DOE’s Office of Science highlighted their work! energy.gov/science/bes/ar… @ArtsSciencesUT

Today was a terrific Big Orange Friday as we welcomed our new physics graduate students to the Volunteer Family! @ArtsSciencesUT

Throughout Earth’s history, impacts from comets and asteroids have shaped our planet’s surface. Join us August 8 at our planetarium to learn about this majestic Firefall! eventbrite.com/e/firefall-tic… @ArtsSciencesUT

Congrats to Shaun Vavra on his @ArtsSciencesUT Outstanding New Staff Member Award! His creativity and hard work mean our students learn in well-maintained labs and see amazing demos both in person and online. Thanks to CAS for hosting this celebration at Neyland Stadium!

Assistant Professor Tova Holmes spoke with BBC’s Science in Action on a muon collider and what it means for the level of “Higgsiness” in the universe and the benefit to society from fundamental research. bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3… @BBCPodcasts @ArtsSciencesUT

With support from a prestigious Humboldt Research Fellowship, UT Physics Associate Professor Jian Liu looks to develop materials and devices using quantum science to meet practical needs. physics.utk.edu/humboldt-fello… @ArtsSciencesUT

Ever wondered why the sky is blue or Mars is red? Come see Cosmic Colors June 13 at our planetarium! Free for all ages but seating is limited, so register at: eventbrite.com/e/cosmic-color…. @ArtsSciencesUT #EndlessOpportunities

Great to see Gov. Chair Dr. Steven Zinkle at RIKEN! His pioneering work on nuclear materials for fusion & space is powered by deep collaboration. Grateful to Dr. Robert Grzywacz, whose collaborative leadership in nuclear physics with Steven helps drive groundbreaking research.

The discovery of Tennessine was a major milestone in the field of nuclear physics. Collaborating alongside RIKEN & @ORNL on these kinds of discoveries is pivotal not just for advancing science,but also for shaping the next generation of researchers. Glad to be in Tokyo together.

Tova Holmes and her colleagues have won Simons Foundation support to break new ground in particle physics and train young scientists to explore it. physics.utk.edu/tova-holmes-wi… @ArtsSciencesUT #EndlessOpportunities

Congratulations to @UTKPhysAstro Assistant Professor Tova Holmes on receiving the Professional Promise in Research and Creative Achievement award at the recent Academic Honors Banquet hosted by the @UTProvost! 🏆 #UTArtSci #EndlessOpportunities

Come to Fly by Night on Saturday and kick off summer with physics and electronic music! Your Harmonic Motion favorites are back with signal:noise. The show starts at 9 PM (21+, $5). physics.utk.edu/signalnoise/ @ArtsSciencesUT

From academic achievements to innovative research to a Volunteer spirit of service, physics staff, students, and faculty celebrated another amazing year with Honors Day 2025! physics.utk.edu/honors-day-202… @ArtsSciencesUT #EndlessOpportunities

Friday we’re screening The Incredible Sun at the Nielsen Planetarium! Doors open @ 7:45 PM. Free for all ages, but seating is limited, so register at: eventbrite.com/e/the-incredib… @ArtsSciencesUT #EndlessOpportunities

@UTKPhysAstro Professor Steve Johnston was recently honored with an Excellence in Research and Creative Achievement Award! Johnston is an internationally recognized leader in strongly correlated quantum materials. Read more: bit.ly/4cjbGYp #UTArtSci #EndlessOpportunities

@UTKPhysAstro Assistant Professor @tovaholmes was recently honored with an Excellence in Research and Creative Achievement Award! Her funding record in her four years at UT is described as “staggering.” Read more: bit.ly/4cjbGYp #UTArtSci #EndlessOpportunities