Upcoming Dates
  • May 11: Spring Semester ends
  • May 27: Memorial Day
  • Jun 3: Summer Semester begins
  • Jun 19: Juneteenth
  • Jul 4: Independence Day
  • Jul 27: Summer Semester ends
  • Aug 19: Fall Semester begins
  • Sep 2: Labor Day
 
Peer Undergraduate Mentorship Program

Build connections within the physics and astronomy community at UNM

 

New Campus Observatory Proposed

Support our educational, research, and public outreach efforts

Chair: Richard Rand

An undergraduate education in physics provides a solid foundation for a lifetime of learning in a variety of disciplines, including science, engineering, math, finance, education, law, and medicine. Find out more.

Meet our Graduate Student Association and get their tips for prospective students

Alumni testimonials: Read success stories from alumni of our department and their reflections on the quality of our programs.

Saturday, April 13, 2024

UNM Physics Day 2024

UNM Physics Day 2024 will be held in the Physics, Astronomy and Interdisciplinary Sciences Building

UNM Physics Day 2024 will be held on Saturday, April 13 and will feature a variety of events including research presentations, poster sessions, and a plenary talk by Dr. Mousumi Roy.

Undergraduate Physics and Astronomy majors are invited to present research talks and/or posters. There will be awards for the best oral and poster presentations. Registration is free, sign up here.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 7:00 pm

Physics & Astronomy Annual Spring Demo Night

A visitor demonstrates the Van der Graaf Generator effect

The UNM Department of Physics and Astronomy is hosting our Annual Spring Lecture Demonstration Show.

The show will feature live physics demonstrations put on by members of UNM's Society of Physics Students and faculty, illustrating basic physics principles in mechanics, optics, and electricity and magnetism. Demonstrations will include the giant Newton's Cradle, Bernoulli's Principle, a Human Gyroscope, the Rocket Car, Optical Fibers, Laser Interference, the Tesla Coil and Implosion.

The event is free and open to the general public. Local high school teachers and students are especially invited to attend. Free parking is available starting at 6 pm in the B/P lot on the NW corner of University and Central.

Download the flyer here.

News from the Chair

Physics & Astronomy Outreach on Lobo Day

A visitor demonstrates the Van der Graaf Generator effect

On Lobo Day, February 28, 2024, Teaching Lab Supervisor Hatem Babaa, Professor David Dunlap, and Distinguished Professor Greg Taylor demonstrated the bike wheel gyro demo, the new semiconductor demo, and the Van der Graaf Generator from 11:45 - 1:00 pm at Cornell Plaza. The Lobo Day theme was Space and highlighted UNM's contributions to space exploration.

See the ABQ Journal article and photos from the event.

News from the Chair

Applications open for Qu-REACH summer quantum undergraduate research experience

Participants in the 2024 Qu-REACH poster session

Applications are open for the fourth-annual Qu-REACH program, during which students can gain hands-on experience in the competitive field of quantum technology. The program will take place from May 28 to Aug. 2, and participants will receive a $7,000 stipend.

A limited number of housing stipends are also available for students attending schools outside the Albuquerque metro area. Students studying STEM at any college or university in New Mexico are invited to apply. Applications are due Friday, March 1.

Find out more about this opportunity.

News from the Chair

The University of New Mexico launches The Quantum New Mexico Institute

Quantum New Mexico Institute

New Mexico scientists played a pioneering role in the development of Quantum Informational Science; now The University of New Mexico (UNM) is partnering with Sandia National Laboratories to launch the University's newest research center, the Quantum New Mexico Institute (QNM-I).

See the UNM Newsroom article for details.

News from the Chair

Towards a New Campus Observatory

Observatory Fundraising
We want to make sure our educational, outreach, and research activities are preserved, expanded, and able to continue for a long time to come

The UNM Campus Observatory has initiated a crowdfunding campaign in an effort to raise funds for the planning of a new Campus Observatory. The current Campus Observatory was built in the 1950s and is now outdated among other concerns.

Read the UNM Newsroom article about the planning for this new facility.

Find out how to donate to our goal.

News from the Chair

Join Our TeamJob Opportunities at UNM Physics & Astronomy

 

Upcoming Events


Colloquium:

Fri 3/22, 3:30PM in PAIS-1100, Dr. Sean Carroll (Johns Hopkins Univ), Quantum Mechanics to Spacetime


Other Events:

Tue 3/19, 2:00PM in PAIS-3205, Kevin Kelly (Texas A&M), New Physics at Neutrino Facilities: a Plethora of Possibilities


Wed 3/20, 4:00PM in PAIS-2540, Sivaprasad Omanakuttan, Quantum Computation Using Large Spin Qudits

 

Interactive Astronomy Apps

Javascript apps

9 Educational Apps

Written by Kevin Dilts for the Astro 101 Lab, these free interactive javascript apps illustrate common astronomy concepts. Enjoy!

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