Change in department chairs

Richard Van Fleet and Grant Hart finished their term as department chair and associate chair, respectively, in June 2019.  Under their leadership, the department saw a growth in the number of mentored of research opportunities, as evidenced by the tremendous increase in number of sessions at the Student Research Conference and students who co-authored journal articles.  We appreciated all their efforts to keep the department running smoothly and encouraging us all to keep progressing.

Our new department chair, Kent Gee, and his associate chairs, Eric Hintz and Scott Bergeson, began their new responsibilities in July 2019.  They are focusing on key priorities that will help the department grow in unity as we continue to enhance opportunities for students.   Some of the new items that will be highlighted in upcoming news stories include a new telescope on top of the ESC, new machining facilities, redesigned department office area, and new collaboration on a major telescope program.

News and Events

Image for BYU’s Rising Astronomers Take Center Stage at the Winter AAS Conference
BYU’s Rising Astronomers Take Center Stage at the Winter AAS Conference
In early January 2025, a group of 16 students from Brigham Young University’s Physics & Astronomy Department showcased their research at the prestigious American Astronomical Society (AAS) in National Harbor, Maryland.
Image for Acoustics group studies the roar of SpaceX's Starship
Acoustics group studies the roar of SpaceX's Starship
Acoustics faculty and students measure the thunderous noise of the world’s most powerful rocket, exploring its impact on communities and the environment.
Image for Astronomers Discover New Course
Astronomers Discover New Course
This winter, ten students in BYU’s new “Advanced Planetary Astrophysics” taught by Darin Ragozzine course gained hands-on experience in planetary science research, mastering interdisciplinary skills to prepare for future careers in astronomy.
Image for Dr. Kent Gee Receives Top faculty Award
Dr. Kent Gee Receives Top faculty Award
Dr. Kent Gee has been named the recipient of the Karl G. Maeser Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Award
Image for Drs. Davis and Vanfleet Receive Technology Transfer Award
Drs. Davis and Vanfleet Receive Technology Transfer Award
BYU Physics and Astronomy Professors Dr. Davis and Dr. Vanfleet recently received the 2024 award for outstanding achievement in technology transfer from the BYU Technology Transfer Office.
Image for New Acoustics Major
New Acoustics Major
The BYU Physics & Astronomy department recently introduced the Applied Physics: Acoustics degree.
Image for Chris Verhaaren Creates Particle Physics Class
Chris Verhaaren Creates Particle Physics Class
After 3 years of being offered as 513R, elementary particle physics is finally an official course and accepted for credit in the physics major!
Image for A Practical Scientist’s Field Guide to Dealing with Science and Religion.
A Practical Scientist’s Field Guide to Dealing with Science and Religion.
Dr. Michael Ware hopes to help students develop the skills to navigate discussion of science and religion
Image for Kent Gee Forum: Lessons from Noise, Crackle to Calm
Kent Gee Forum: Lessons from Noise, Crackle to Calm
This year’s Karl G. Maeser Distinguished Faculty Lecturer, Kent Gee, delivered his forum address on the science of sound and how he and BYU students have contributed to significant research in the acoustics industry.
Image for Campbell and Stokes Receive Crystallographic Association Award
Campbell and Stokes Receive Crystallographic Association Award
In July 2025, Drs. Branton Campbell and Harold Stokes (BYU Emeritus Professor) will receive the Kenneth N. Trueblood Award from the American Crystallographic Association for exceptional achievement in computational crystallography.
Image for New ESC Weather Station
New ESC Weather Station
A group of undergraduate students braved the heat and heights of the ESC roof to install a new weather station. The station is up and running, and will hopefully record data for years to come.
Image for Study analyzes distant Kuiper Belt object with NASA's Hubble data
Study analyzes distant Kuiper Belt object with NASA's Hubble data
Using data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, a new study suggests that an object previously thought to be a binary system may be a rare triple system of orbiting bodies.