Current News
Read the Physics & Astronomy stories making headlines at Western, in London, and around the world. Discover how our world-class research is making an impact.
Physics & Astronomy Graduate Students win NASA Space Apps Challenge Regional Competition
By
Western Space ,LinkedIn , October 08, 2024
Congratulations to graduate students Maximilian Vovk, Ian Chow, Dakota Cecil, and Simon Van Schuylenbergh of Physics & Astronomy on their win of the NASA Space Apps Challenge regional competition in Waterloo! The team developed an interactive web app that highlights risky Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) to identify potential threats to Earth, while meteor streams and sporadics are used to map risk zones for satellites.
Introduction to CubeSat Technology at Cronyn Observatory
By
Cronyn Observatory ,Cronyn Observatory , August 23, 2024
Cronyn Observatory invites you to a free public night to attend an astronomy talk by one of the astronomers at Western University. If skies are clear, their telescopes will be ready for night sky observing. Engage with expert astronomers, ask burning questions, and gaze at the night sky through both our vintage and more modern telescopes.
Experts say astronauts stuck on the International Space Station need to be adaptable
By
Global News ,Global News , August 18, 2024
Watch Western Space director and Physics & Astronomy professor Sarah Gallagher and Psychology PhD candidate Julia McMenamin discuss the hardships facing two NASA astronauts stranded on the International Space Station.
Fanchini and Workentin's publication selected as feature article
August 14, 2024
Their interdepartmental collaboration has been selected as a feature article in Applied Physics Letters.
Condition first discovered by Western neuroscientist named by scientific community
By
Jeff Renaud ,Western News , August 14, 2024
Western professor Adrian Owen and his collaborators, including Physics and Astronomy professor Andrea Soddu discuss their work in unravelling the complexities of cognitive motor dissociation.
Three Meteor Showers Are Active: How and When to Watch Fireball Season
By
Katrina Miller ,The New York Times , August 02, 2024
The Southern Delta Aquarids and the Alpha Capricornids are reaching their peak this week. The Perseids, one of the best shows of the year, are also ramping up. Dr. Peter Brown of Western Physics & Astronomy discusses when to best see the meteors.
Sage Buchanan wins Best Poster Award at CAARI-SNEAP 2024 Conference
August 01, 2024
Sage Buchanan won the Best Poster Award at the 27th International Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry (CAARI) and the 55th Symposium of Northeastern Accelerator Personnel (SNEAP) CAARI-SNEAP 2024 conference in Ft. Worth, TX
Large asteroid passes between Earth and the moon
By
Nicole Mortillaro ,CBC News , July 08, 2024
Following an asteroid passing Earth, Peter Brown, physics and astronomy professor, emphasized the significance of detecting such a large object only days before its approach.
Orion Nebula captured in stunning new James Webb Telescope photo
By
James Farrell ,Forbes , May 24, 2024
Led by physics and astronomy professors Els Peeters and Jan Cami, a team of researchers have released stunning new images of the Orion Nebula captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, focusing on the "Orion Bar" and offering unprecedented insights into star formation.
‘Zero chance’ infamous Apophis collides with another asteroid, redirects to Earth
By
Jeff Renaud ,Western News , March 11, 2024
Western astronomer, Paul Wiegert, calculates paths of all known asteroids to rule out planetary impact
Hubble traces “string of pearls” star clusters in galaxy collisions
By
Jeff Renaud ,Western News , February 08, 2024
Professor Sarah Gallagher and international researchers examine Hubble Space Telescope images of galactic encounters
Cutting-edge Western science research highlights role of collaboration
By
Megan Stacey ,Western News , January 19, 2024
Astronomy PhD candidate, Charmi Bhatt, wins top presenter prize at the Fallona Family Interdisciplinary Science Award and Lecture.
Annual Geminid meteor shower could produce more than 100 to 150 meteors per hour
By
Nicole Mortillaro ,CBC News , December 15, 2023
Physics and Astronomy Professor Paul Wiegert discusses one of the best and most reliable annual meteor showers
Faculty of Science Staff Award of Excellence Recipients
December 15, 2023
Congratulations to the Physics and Astronomy Undergraduate Teaching Labs team on receiving the Faculty of Science Staff Award of Excellence for 2023!
Researchers measuring city landfill emissions, climate impacts of waste
By
Anika Beaudry ,The Weather Network , October 16, 2023
Sarah Gallagher discusses a new long-term project to help municipalities better manage their climate impact through landfill methane emissions
Giovanni Fanchini among 2023 CAP Fellowship Appointees
Canadian Association of Physicists , October 15, 2023
The Physics and Astronomy department congratulates Giovanni Fanchini on his appointment to the Canadian Association of Physicists Fellowship Program for 2023! Appointees have demonstrated significant contributions to the Canadian physics community, noteworthy physics research contributions and outreach, education and mentorship.
Cronyn Observatory one of campus' best-kept secrets
By
Megan Stacey ,Western News , October 10, 2023
This Western landmark will open you up to the wonders of the universe and the magic of space. Look straight up into the night sky when the dome opens at the Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory and view stars or planets through the 10-inch telescope.
Behind the Research: Western looks at the final frontier
By
Western Communications ,Western News , October 06, 2023
President Alan Shepard in conversation with professors Sarah Gallagher and Jan Cami on Canada’s role in space exploration and research
Sarah Gallagher among contributors to volume of essays from leaders shaping the philosophy of astrophysics
By
Keri Ferguson ,Western News , October 04, 2023
A paper by Western philosophy professor Chris Smeenk, associate director of the Rotman Institute of Philosophy, and physics and astronomy professor Sarah Gallagher, director of the Institute for Earth and Space Exploration (Western Space) is part of a new book and first standard resource on the philosophy of astrophysics.
Tracking Satellites in our Night Skies
By
Ivan Semeniuk ,The Globe and Mail , September 22, 2023
Peter Brown discusses using a new camera system to track over 1000 satellites in a single night - an area of growing need with the rise of satellite mega-constellations
Those Glorious Globular Clusters - Event at Cronyn Observatory
August 11, 2023
Join us on August 12 between 8:30 to 11:00 pm and have your chance to look through telescopes, talk to astronomers and ask them questions. No registration is required, you can come and go as you please, making it the perfect activity for a spontaneous night out or a fun date with friends or family.
Perseid meteor shower to peak with stunning display on Saturday evening
By
Jeff Renaud ,Western News , August 11, 2023
The Perseid meteor shower is set to peak on the night of Saturday, August 12 and continue into the early hours of August 13, and conditions are shaping up for a stunning display, said Western meteor investigator Denis Vida.
Western researchers capture stunning images of Ring Nebula with James Webb Space Telescope
By
Jeff Renaud ,Western News , August 03, 2023
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has recorded stunning new images of the iconic Ring Nebula (Messier 57). The images, released today by an international team of astronomers, including Jan Cami, Els Peeters and Nicholas Clark from Western’s Institute for Earth and Space Exploration, showcase the nebula’s intricate and ethereal beauty in unprecedented detail, providing scientists and the public with a mesmerizing view of this celestial wonder.
Brain scans are putting a major theory of consciousness to the test
By
Clare Wilson ,NewScientist , July 18, 2023
A proposed way to measure consciousness called integrated information theory has been tested using data from human brain scans, and seems to work. Dr. Andrea Soddu discusses the use of brain-scanning data collected by fMRI scans on subjects experiencing various states of consciousness to create simplified models of neural networks.
Yellow, white or green: What colour is the Sun?
By
Sarwat Nasir ,The National News , July 07, 2023
Dr. Sarah Gallagher discusses the factors impacting how we perceive of the colour of the sun.
Western researchers part of Webb carbon molecule discovery
By
Jeff Renaud ,Western News , June 26, 2023
Physics and Astronomy professors Els Peeters and Jan Cami are part of an international team of scientists who detected the methyl cation (CH3+) molecule for the first time using the James Webb Space Telescope.
Western University mini satellite launched into space Monday
By
Sean Irvine ,CTV News , June 07, 2023
Physics and Astronomy professor Sarah Gallagher and graduate student Kasia Wisniewski discuss the launch of Western's micro CubeSat on board a SpaceX Falcon rocket on its way to the International Space Station.
FADA' Exploring the Cosmos through Art
May 29, 2023
Western Astrophysics and Studio Art alumnus Tassneem Hamed is being featured in her first solo exhbition. The exhibit will be held at the Satellite Project Space in London, ON, May 30th – June 10th. The opening reception is June 2nd, 6-8pm.
Canadian Researchers Receive Funding for Continuing AstroSat Science Investigations
By
Marc Boucher ,SpaceQ , May 11, 2023
Three Canadian researchers, including Pauline Barmby from physics and astronomy, have been awarded funding for 2022-23 science investigations using the AstroSat astronomy space-based observatory. Barmby will combine AstroSat images of the ultraviolet light emitted by a sample of low surface brightness spiral galaxies with data from other telescopes to understand the current and past properties of these enigmatic galaxies and others.
Asteroids named for Western University Astronomers
March 10, 2023
Physics and Astronomy faculty members Pauline Barmby, Carol Jones, Martin Houde, and Aaron Sigut each have a new asteroid which has been given their namesake. The asteroids, originally discovered by Physics & Astronomy professor Paul Wiegert through the Mauna Kea observatory are named for his colleagues within the department.
New EEG procedure accurately measures distress caused by tinnitus
By
Jeff Renaud ,Western News , February 01, 2023
A new study led by Andrea Soddu may provide a clearer picture of the levels of distress tinnitus sufferers are experiencing. The Western medical physicist and an international team of collaborators have developed a new classification procedure for tinnitus patients using data acquired by electroencephalography (EEG), a technique that measures electrical activity in the brain using small electrodes placed on the scalp.
Western-led team confirms meteoroid from edge of Solar System made of rock, not ice
By
Jeff Renaud ,Western News , December 16, 2022
Researchers from Western have shown that a fireball that originated at the edge of the Solar System was likely made of rock, not ice, challenging long-held beliefs about how the Solar System was formed.
Physics & Astronomy collaboration with Faculty of Education
December 05, 2022
Effective the 2023 academic year, Western's Faculty of Science and Faculty of Education have signed an agreement for graduates of Physics & Astronomy modules to be guaranteed admission to the B.Ed. intermediate/senior program with a Physics teaching subject. Minimum grade and course count requirements apply, and applicants must also complete EDUC 2200 Perspectives on Schooling. Click here for further details.
Space as a National Asset for Canada Conference
By
Western Institute for Earth and Space Exploration ,SNAC 2022 , November 02, 2022
Western Space will be hosting Space as a National Asset for Canada 2022 to bring together the space community in universities, industry, and government, explore the current and future value of space technologies for Earth applications, and discuss Canadian ambitions for space. Topics will include exploration science and technologies, Earth observations for climate change and food security, policy and law, space resources, space debris, and more.
Canadian climate tech built with Western expertise to be part of joint mission with NASA
By
Jeff Renaud ,Western News , October 20, 2022
Western Physics and Astronomy researchers Bob Sica and Sarah Gallagher discuss their research with the Canadian Space Agency's High-altitude Aerosols, Water vapour and Clouds (HAWC) mission, and collaboration with NASA’s Atmosphere Observing System (AOS) mission.
Mystery fireball that lit up sky and baffled scientists finally explained
By
Ed Browne ,Newsweek , October 19, 2022
Research from physics and astronomy postdoctoral scholar Denis Vida has shown that a mysterious space rock that lit up the skies over parts of Canada last year wasn't a comet, despite coming from a distant part of the solar system where comets are thought to originate.
'X-ray specs': Canadian scientists starry-eyed over James Webb space telescope
By
Bob Weber ,The Canadian Press , October 19, 2022
Canadian scientists, including physics and astronomy professor Els Peeters, are using spectacular images from the James Webb Space telescope to look at young stars in the constellation Orion and understand their influence on the interstellar material around them.
Professor Emeritus M.G. Cottam publishes two books
October 11, 2022
Congratulations to Professor Emeritus M.G. Cottam for the recent publication of two books: Many-Body Theory of Condensed Matter Systems (Michael G. Cottam and Zahra Haghshenasfard, Cambridge University Press, 2020) and Dynamical Properties in Nanostructured and Low-Dimensional Materials (Michael G. Cottam, Institute of Physics Publishing, 2nd edition, 2022)
How and why NASA crashed its DART spacecraft into asteroid
Global National , September 30, 2022
Physics and astronomy professor Paul Wiegert weighs in on the success of the first test of NASA's DART mission, which successfully crashed a spacecraft into an asteroid this week with the aim of changing the space rock's trajectory.
New Website - Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory
September 28, 2022
The Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory has launched a new website! For information on the observatory, as well as its programs and events, please visit: https://cronyn.uwo.ca/
In Memoriam: David Gray
September 14, 2022
We are sad to share the recent passing of Professor Emeritus David Gray of Western's Physics and Astronomy Department. David passed away on August 15, 2022. A service will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2022.
Western researchers among first to capture James Webb Space Telescope images
By
Jeff Renaud ,Western News , September 12, 2022
Dr. Els Peeters of Western's Physics and Astronomy department discusses new images of the Orion Nebula, obtained by the James Webb Space Telescope as part of the Early Release Science program Photodissociation Regions for All, on which she is a co-lead.
