Decades of weird experimental results appeared to support the existence of the sterile neutrino, a hypothetical particle that would solve multiple mysteries. But recent experiments have killed hope of finding these phantoms, leaving physicists to wonder what might explain their anomalies. “It’s on us to learn how to get creative,” said Matheus Hostert, a physicist at the University of Iowa. “This is a very exciting time for the field, especially for theorists like myself who get to ask hard questions about all this data.”

David Miles, deputy director of research operations in UI’s department of physics and astronomy and a co-investigator for the rocket launch, was tasked with building the magnetometer attached to the rocket. While Miles had seen countless rocket launches before, Norway’s launch was a first for UI graduate student Jessica Mondoskin, the lead graduate student for the magnetometer project.

Associate Professor David Miles has been named the 2026 Scholar of the Year. The award recognizes nationally distinguished achievement in research, scholarship, and creative activity in the past 24 months. Richard Dvorksy, aerospace principal engineer and interim research administrator, has received the 2026 Distinguished Research Professional Award. This award recognizes staff members who performed exceptional service in support of research at the University of Iowa.

Professor Fatima Toor's team is a phase 3 recipient of the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) Large Grant Development Opportunity funds, which support researchers in preparing and submitting major federal grant proposals. Within Toor's ASPIRE Center initiative, Physics and Astronomy faculty play a central role in advancing the project's semiconductor and photonic research goals. Assistant Professor Ravi Uppu, Assistant Professor Tom Folland, and Professor John Prineas will contribute their expertise to this effort.

Graduate student Jodie McLennan has received a Graduate Research Excellence award. These awards honor students in terminal degree programs who are conducting research and scholarly activity that is highly original and makes a significant contribution to the field.

On March 13, the Department of Physics and Astronomy presented Demos Unleashed! 2026, which showed real-life physics in action through engaging demonstrations.

A big NASA satellite will crash back to Earth on Tuesday (March 10) after nearly 14 years in orbit, experts say. The spacecraft in question is the 1,323-pound (600-kilogram) Van Allen Probe A, which launched in August 2012 along with its twin, Van Allen Probe B, to study the radiation belts around Earth for which they're named.

Associate Professor Casey DeRoo has been selected as a recipient of the Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholar Award for 2026. The award, which is in its fifth year, provides funding and development opportunities for a cohort of tenured mid-career faculty who have established national or international reputations in their disciplines and demonstrate exceptional teaching and mentorship.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy hosted the third annual Acevedo Poster Contest on Feb. 27, giving participating students a chance to show how they used computing resources, tools, or techniques in their research.