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Announcing the Department of Physics and Astronomy

Physics

Christina Koch looks down at the Earth from the window of the Orion spacecraft.

Apr 9, 2026

Koch Eager For Splashdown

Three-time NC State graduate and Artemis II astronaut Christina Koch and the other three members of the crew are headed back to Earth following NASA’s first return to the moon in more than 50 years.
Christina Koch and her fellow crew members prepare to board their Orion spacecraft atop NASA’s Space Launch System rocket as part of a demonstration test in 2025.

Apr 6, 2026

See You on the Dark Side of the Moon

Three-time NC State graduate Christina Koch and her three Artemis II crewmates will blast off to the moon as early as Wednesday evening.

Apr 2, 2026

Spectroscopy Filters Eliminate ’Noise’ – and Researchers Now Have a Way to Determine How Well Those Filters Work

Physicist David Aspnes on a new way to choose the best “noise” filter in spectroscopy.
The milky way galaxy

Mar 16, 2026

Reevaluating Reaction Rates to Better Understand the Stars

Richard Longland talks about why reevaluating thermonuclear reaction rates will help us better understand the universe.
sounding club members attach radiosonde to weather balloon

Feb 26, 2026

From the Departments

Catch up on the latest news from our academic departments.
A football on a grass field

Feb 11, 2026

Some Physics of the NFL’s Dynamic Kickoff

Kasey Wagoner, an assistant professor of physics at NC State, examines the physics of football’s dynamic kickoff.

A person in Black Leggings Wearing Ice Skates

Feb 11, 2026

The Physics of Figure Skating Jumps

Kasey Wagoner, an assistant professor of physics at NC State, examines the physics of figure skating jumps.

Crystal on dark background to illustrate how applying a thermal gradient to the crystal creates orbital angular momentum.

Jan 21, 2026

Chiral Phonons Create Orbital Current via Their Own Magnetism

Chiral phonons can create orbital current without magnetic elements, and the effect can be achieved in common crystal materials.

Dec 8, 2025

From the Departments

Catch up on the latest news from our academic departments.
Cat's Paw Nebula as shown by Webb Space Telescope

Nov 21, 2025

Announcing the Department of Physics and Astronomy

The name change recognizes our international leadership in astronomy and astrophysics and will benefit student recruitment efforts.