Texas Tech Department of Physics and Astronomy

09/05/2026

📽Check out NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launch!

Video credit: Nicholas Kerekes (NGK Films)

09/05/2026

Join us in congratulating Dr. Noah D'Amico, a recent Ph.D. graduate from the Department of Physics & Astronomy, for taking 1st Place in Texas Tech University's 2026 Outstanding Dissertation Award for Mathematics, Physical Sciences & Engineering!

Nominated by Dr. Robert Duncan, Dr. D'Amico’s groundbreaking research integrates machine learning into nuclear fusion, opening genuinely new approaches to nuclear particle detection and materials development. His work aims to solve critical global energy problems by advancing cleaner, highly efficient power sources.

Because of its originality and significant impact, his dissertation is now advancing to the highly prestigious national CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award competition.

"I am honored to have received the 2026 Outstanding Dissertation Award at TTU. Huge thanks to Dr. Duncan, Dr. Cuikun Lin, and the rest of our research group for their continued support!" — Dr. Noah D'Amico

Congratulations, Dr. D'Amico, on this incredible milestone!

09/05/2026

09/05/2026

🚀 NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has launched!

On August 30, 2026, at 7:26 a.m. EDT, NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking a major milestone in space science.

Roman is one of NASA’s next-generation flagship astrophysics missions.

This milestone is especially meaningful for Texas Tech Physics & Astronomy. Our own Dr. Michael Fausnaugh has played an important role in helping define the scientific scope of the Roman mission, contributing directly to the development of the science that Roman will pursue.

As part of his involvement with Roman, Michael participated in a pre-launch science meeting at Kennedy Space Center and was there to witness this historic launch firsthand, together with our students Sydney Fowler, Zofia Ramos, and Bryce Wilbron. We also recognize Dr. Hojin Cho, a postdoctoral researcher in our department and an important member of the Texas Tech Roman team.

📸 Roman Launch – Photos & Video: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ttuphas/albums/72177720335470649/

📽 Video: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ttuphas/55507335435/in/album-72177720335470649

Check out the whole story on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7501644482010861569

Congratulations to our Texas Tech Roman team—Michael, Hojin, Sydney, Zofia, and Bryce—and to the entire Roman team on this exciting milestone! 🚀🌌

And just for fun: Where’s Roman now?
Follow Roman’s journey: https://lnkd.in/eG9W2xmj

09/03/2026

The Texas Tech High Energy Physics (HEP) group completed its first major shipment of production detector modules to Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) on August 6 for the High Granularity Calorimeter (HGCAL), the next-generation calorimeter being built for the upgrade of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) detector at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider.

HGCAL will ultimately require approximately 26,000 silicon modules, and Texas Tech is responsible for producing about 5,000 full-size modules—a substantial contribution to this major international particle physics project.

Read more about this significant accomplishment for our department on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ttu-department-of-physics-and-astronomy_the-texas-tech-high-energy-physics-hep-activity-7501287851410763776-uXSq?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAFIfKooBqkfOuW51bjeV3Pvg2l1j8eIZQ64

📷 Check out pictures of the production and shipping process of the modules on our Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ttuphas/albums/72177720335430775

08/30/2026

Annual Department Welcome Party 2026

A great opportunity for our “PHAS Family” to come together, connect with one another, and especially welcome our new students to the department.

You can find photos from the event at the link below:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ttuphas/albums/72177720335361018

08/30/2026

Our first AstroNight of the semester was a huge success! We enjoyed seeing everyone join us for a night of lunar eclipse viewing, astronomy activities, and stargazing.

A special thank you to Dr. Elias Aydi, for his leadership in organizing and coordinating AstroNight. As well as a sincere thanks to our Astrophysics faculty (Drs. Maccarone, Antoniou, Pol, Järvelä, Fausnaugh), postdocs, staff, students, and volunteers who helped prepare for and run the event.

We can't wait for the next one!

08/30/2026

Another successful Arts & Sciences Day in the books!

08/27/2026

We have a new sign in front of the Science building! We hope it will enhance the visibility and welcoming presence of the two departments and the College of Arts & Sciences housed in the Science Building, and better identify our home on campus. 😍🥳