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Universe in the Park: Eastman Nature Center

Universe in the Park is hosted by the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics and area state and local parks.

Representatives of the Institute will present a short (~20 min) outdoor public talk and slide show. Presentations cover a variety of astronomical topics such as: the history of matter, how astronomers "see," and a journey through our solar system. For the 2024 season, talks will be outdoors to ensure they are as safe as possible.

Afterwards, if weather allows, attendees have the opportunity to view the sky through multiple 8-inch reflecting telescopes, operated by the staff and provided by the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics. Additionally, free star maps (e.g., www.skymaps.com) and instructions are provided. Throughout the evening, audience members are encouraged to ask questions and discuss topics ranging from backyard astronomy to the latest scientific discoveries.

Although a vehicle permit is usually required to enter the parks, the events are free to the public.

Universe in the Park: Lake Maria State Park

Universe in the Park is hosted by the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics and area state and local parks.

Although a vehicle permit is usually required to enter the parks, the events are free to the public.

Quirky Quantum Physics lecture series - James Kakalios

Speaker: James Kakalios

Title: A Tunnel Through Nothing

In 1926, Erwin Schrodinger published the famous equation that bears his name. This equation accounts for a wide range of strange atomic phenomena - but perhaps none is so puzzling as Quantum Tunneling. If two metals are separated by the vacuum of empty space from each other, then even if the electrons in one metal lack the energy to arc and jump the gap between them, the Schrodinger equation predicts that there is a probability that they will nevertheless show up in the second metal. This phenomenon is not just a theoretical curiosity - but the chips in your smartphone and computer memory in your laptop rely on this effect. Quantum tunneling also accounts for some forms of radioactivity and more importantly - the sun wouldn't shine without it!

James Kakalios is a Taylor Distinguished Professor and Head of the School of Physics and Astronomy. His experimental research ranges from the nano to the neuro, and he is active in outreach and public engagement.

Universe in the Park: Tettegouche State Park

Universe in the Park is hosted by the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics and area state and local parks.

Although a vehicle permit is usually required to enter the parks, the events are free to the public.

Universe in the Park: Gooseberry Falls State Park

Universe in the Park is hosted by the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics and area state and local parks.

Although a vehicle permit is usually required to enter the parks, the events are free to the public.

Quirky Quantum Physics lecture series - Fiona Burnell

Speaker: Fiona Burnell

Title: Fun with Quantum Computing

Theoretical physicist Fiona Burnell, is a Professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy, and the inaugural Ed Tang Professor. When two sub-atomic particles such as electrons are brought close to each other, they can be put in a quantum entangled state. In this condition, a measurement on one electron will automatically alter the outcome of a measurement of the second electron – even if the two electrons are separated by several miles! Many large high-tech companies as well as universities are working to exploit particle entanglement to develop quantum computers. These computers will be able to solve various problems that would take conventional supercomputers many lifetimes to work out. From the development of new pharmaceuticals to the security of financial transactions over the internet, quantum computers, using a phenomenon that Albert Einstein dismissed as “spooky action at a distance,” have the potential to have a large impact on society.

More information

Quirky Quantum Physics lecture series - Martin Greven

Speaker: Martin Greven

Title: Superconductors!

When most metals are cooled to very low temperatures, their resistance to the flow of an electrical current decreases, but then at a critical temperature, the resistance abruptly becomes zero! A current can now flow in the metal without any external applied voltage – and we call this material a Superconductor, a phenomenon that can only be understood using Quantum Mechanics. While previously believed to only apply to ordinary metals, forty years ago it was discovered that certain ceramics could also become superconductors – at temperatures much higher than observed in ordinary metals! If superconductivity could be observed at room temperature – the world would suddenly become a very different place! Martin Greven is a Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy whose research involves experimental condensed matter physics, and in particular, the fabrication and study of novel superconducting materials.

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Quirky Quantum Physics lecture series - James Kakalios

Speaker: James Kakalios

Title: The Solid State

Here we are, in the 21st century, and yet we are still waiting for the jetpacks and flying cars that were promised in 1950s science fiction movies and 1960s comic books. Those movies and comic books thought that we would have a revolution in energy (needed to have a flying car), while what we got instead was a revolution in information. This information revolution was made possible by the development of semiconductor and solid state physics, which in turn was made possible by the discovery of Quantum Mechanics. James Kakalios is a Taylor Distinguished Professor and Head of the School of Physics and Astronomy. His experimental research ranges from the nano to the neuro, and he is active in outreach and public engagement. In this talk you'll learn how three "simple" ideas, developed 100 years ago, made solar cells, LEDs, transistors, lasers, glow-in-the-dark toys and MRIs possible.

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May Term & Summer Classes Start

If you're taking May Term or 13-week summer classes, Monday May 18th is the first day! Be sure to access your Canvas courses ahead of time and get any materials that you may need.

50-Year and Golden Medallion Society Reunion

For more information and to register, visit the:

50-Year Reunion website (Class of 1976)

Golden Medallion Society website (all other classes)

Sasli Proposal Approved for part of first cycle of observations at Roman Space Telescope

Argyro Sasli, Postdoctoral Researcher in the School of Physics and Astronomy, has received word that her proposal has been accepted for the first ever cycle of observations at the Nancy Grace Roman

Grad student fellowship winners pose for a picture

Graduate Fellowships and Awards, 2026

There are 20 graduate fellowship and award recipients in the School for 2026.

A group of undergraduate students who won scholarships and awards posing for a picture on the stairs.

Undergraduate Scholarships and Awards, 2026

There are 39 recipients of 15 undergraduate scholarships and awards in the School for 2026.

Collage using various Zooniverse images.

Zooniverse Approaching 1 Billion Classification Milestone

Professor Lucy Fortson of the School of Physics and Astronomy is one of the founding members of the Zooniverse citizen science collaboration platform. Zooniverse connects over 3 million volunteers

Remembering Marvin Marshak

Professor Marvin Marshak passed away on April 2, 2026 at the age of 80. Marshak was a member of the physics faculty at the University of Minnesota for over fifty years and he made, according to

William Setterberg and Reed Masek with a testing fridge

Solar astrophysics students building instrument that will hitch a ride on NASA balloon

Students in the School of Physics and astronomy, under the supervision of Professor Lindsay Glesener, are building a solar x-ray spectrometer that is planned to fly on a NASA high-altitude balloon

MicroBooNE likely has ruled out possibility of ‘sterile neutrinos’

Professor Andrew Furmanski of the School of Physics and Astronomy is a member of an experimental collaboration which has eliminated the possibility of a theorized possible fourth neutrino flavor, the

Pribiag named Dean's Fellow

Professor Vlad Pribiag of the School of Physics and Astronomy has been named a Dean’s Fellow for the 2026-2027 Academic Year.

Side by side pictures of Priscilla Cushman and Yan Liu

Cushman and Liu groups help SuperCDMS to major milestone

School of Physics and Astronomy faculty members Priscilla Cushman and Yan Liu are part of a collaboration that successfully cooled the Super Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (SuperCDMS) experiment to

two side by side pictures of young men, one smiling and sitting on steps and the other is a head and shoulders picture.

Miller and Skinner receive prestigious NASA Future Investigator Fellowships

School of Physics and Astronomy graduate students John Miller Jr and Evan Skinner received highly competitive NASA Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST)

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Events Calendar

Quirky Quantum Physics lecture series - Aleksey Cherman

American Solar Challenge Display Day

Universe in the Park: Afton State Park

Universe in the Park: Lake Maria State Park

Quirky Quantum Physics lecture series - Michel Janssen

Universe in the Park: Dodge Nature Center (Cottage Grove)

School of Physics and Astronomy Seminar Calendar

Universe in the Park: Eastman Nature Center

Universe in the Park: Lake Maria State Park

Quirky Quantum Physics lecture series - James Kakalios

Universe in the Park: Tettegouche State Park

Universe in the Park: Gooseberry Falls State Park

Quirky Quantum Physics lecture series - Fiona Burnell

Quirky Quantum Physics lecture series - Martin Greven

Quirky Quantum Physics lecture series - James Kakalios

May Term & Summer Classes Start

50-Year and Golden Medallion Society Reunion

School News

Sasli Proposal Approved for part of first cycle of observations at Roman Space Telescope

Graduate Fellowships and Awards, 2026

Undergraduate Scholarships and Awards, 2026

Zooniverse Approaching 1 Billion Classification Milestone

Remembering Marvin Marshak

Solar astrophysics students building instrument that will hitch a ride on NASA balloon

MicroBooNE likely has ruled out possibility of ‘sterile neutrinos’

Pribiag named Dean's Fellow

Cushman and Liu groups help SuperCDMS to major milestone

Miller and Skinner receive prestigious NASA Future Investigator Fellowships