Articles from January 2022

Faculty and Staff: Submit grant awards, honors, research publications, accepted talks, and other news items through the Physics and Astronomy Faculty and Staff News Form.

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Filwett Awarded NASA Funds for Proposed LOBSTR mission

Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Rachael Filwett, postdoctoral research scholar and adjunct professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, has been awarded $149,939 from NASA's Heliophysics Flight Opportunity Studies Program for the proposed LOBSTR (LabOratory for the Behavior of the SloT Region) mission. 
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Kaaret Comments on Black Hole/Universe Origin Research

In a Space.com article, Prof. Phil Kaaret describes his research about how nearby black holes could help to explain the universe's origins.

Jaynes Receives Research Award to Investigate Radiation Belt Dynamics

Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Assistant Professor Allison Jaynes has received an $84,000 NASA Heliophysics Supporting Research award from UCLA to investigate radiation belt dynamics. 
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Multi-interest UI professor emeritus Don Gurnett dies at 85, leaves a legacy behind

Beloved University of Iowa professor emeritus Don Gurnett, who died at age 85 on Jan. 13, left behind a professional life of many space discoveries and a personal life filled with interesting hobbies, like flying aircraft next to eagles.
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Undergrad Students Featured in 2022 Dare to Discover Campaign

Thursday, January 20, 2022
Two Physics and Astronomy students are featured in the 2022 University of Iowa Dare to Discover Campaign. Joshua Doucette and Laura Weiler are among 82 UI undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers and scholars in the Dare to Discover campaign, sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research.
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CLAS remembers Don Gurnett, a pioneer in space exploration

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Iowa compiled this article about Emeritus Professor Don Gurnett, who died on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. It includes tributes from colleagues and several items about his remarkable career.
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Legendary Iowa space physicist Donald Gurnett passes away at 81

Donald Gurnett, a pioneering space scientist whose career as a student, teacher, and researcher at the University of Iowa spanned more than 60 years, died on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. He was 81.

Astronomers identify potential clue to reinonization of universe

About 400,000 years after the universe was created began a period called “The Epoch of Reionization.” During this time, the once hotter universe began to cool and matter clumped together, forming the first stars and galaxies. As these stars and galaxies emerged, their energy heated the surrounding environment, reionizing some of the remaining hydrogen in the universe.

Meteor spotted, caught on video in Iowa sky: 'I just saw this sparkling ball'

Philip Kaaret, professor and chair, and Caroline Roberts, Astronomy Laboratory coordinator and Van Allen Observatories manager, both from the University of Iowa, talk to George Shillcock about recent meteors captured on video.