News & Events

Faculty members and students from Appalachian State University's Department of Physics and Astronomy are the authors of a new paper in The Astronomical Journal, a leading peer-reviewed scientific journal in the field of astronomy published by the American Astronomical Society. The study, titled

Astronomy Faculty and Students Collaborate to Publish Astronomical Journal Paper
Sep 27, 2023

BOONE, N.C. — Faculty members and students from Appalachian State University's Department of Physics and Astronomy are the authors of a ne...

Dr. Robert Swarthout, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences and Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, is the principal investigator on the project. Department of Physics and Astronomy professors Dr. Chris Thaxton and Dr. James Sherman serve as co-investigators.

Drs. Robert Swarthout, Chris Thaxton and James Sherman Receive $531,902 NSF Grant
Sep 25, 2023

BOONE, N.C. — A group of faculty members from the Appalachian State University College of Arts and Sciences has been awarded a three-year grant from...

September Newsletter
Sep 11, 2023

Welcome to our inaugural launch of our monthly newsletter. We hope to bring you department news on our latest accomplishments. Check it out!...

Dr. Roshani Silwal

Dr. Silwal wins NSF Collaborative Grant
Jul 18, 2023

We are happy to share that Dr. Silwal has been awarded a National Science Foundation Award for 3 years: 2023-26 for a collaborative research project: ...

Dr. Richard Gray, professor emeritus in App State’s Department of Physics and Astronomy

Spectrograph installed at South Africa’s Boyden Observatory to aid App State, UFS astrophysicists
Jun 30, 2023

BOONE, N.C. — A spectrograph designed, built, installed and commissioned by Appalachian State University astrophysicist Dr. Richard Gray may help sc...

Dr. Tonya Coffey

Dr. Tonya Coffey - Our New Department Chair
Jun 13, 2023

Beginning July 1, 2023, we welcome our new Physics and Astronomy Department Chair, Dr. Tonya Coffey. Over the last year, Dr. Michael Briley has been o...

Dr. Adam McKay

Successful Keck telescope observing proposal
Jun 7, 2023

Dr. McKay's proposal to observe comet 103P/Hartley 2 with the HIRES instrument at Keck Observatory was selected! He will have one half night of o...

Dr. Adam McKay, assistant professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Physics and Astronomy

Dr. Adam McKay receives $13,000 NASA grant
May 24, 2023

BOONE, N.C. — Dr. Adam McKay, assistant professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Physics and Astronomy, has been awarded a $13,42...

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Appalachian State University

Dr. Chris Thaxton's Applied Fluids Laboratory awarded $350,000 contract with Naval Research Laboratory
May 24, 2023

BOONE, N.C. — The Appalachian Applied Fluids Laboratory (AppAFL) has been awarded a $350,000 contract with the U.S. Naval Research Laborat...

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Appalachian State University

Dr. James Sherman receives $473,000 NSF grant
May 24, 2023

BOONE, N.C. — Dr. James Sherman, professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Physics and Astronomy, has been awarded a thr...