Physics

Looking skyward through a tree with white flowers blooming in front of MIT Building 6

MIT School of Science announces 2023 Infinite Mile Awards

Seven staff members honored for their dedication to the School of Science and to the Institute.

May 15, 2023

Side-by-side headshots of Bhav Jain, Pam Stark, and Sreya Vangara

Three from MIT named 2023 Knight-Hennessy Scholars

The fellowship funds graduate studies at Stanford University.

May 9, 2023

McDonald smiles while sitting at his desk, with blurry office background.

Research pulled Michael McDonald in and it won’t let go

Since his first encounter with a research telescope, the astrophysics professor hasn't slowed in his quest to understand the behavior of galaxies.

May 7, 2023

A dynamic rendering shows, on the left, the edge of a gigantic, yellow spherical star. A tiny red planet is in the middle and has skimmed the star. Rays of white light and blue energy radiate out from their touch.

In a first, astronomers spot a star swallowing a planet

Earth will meet a similar fate in 5 billion years.

May 3, 2023

A moderator and seven MIT faculty members sit on stage. Professor Anne White, in the center, is speaking while the others look on.

MIT faculty tackle big ideas in a symposium kicking off Inauguration Day

Ahead of the Institute’s presidential inauguration, panelists describe advances in their research and how these discoveries are being deployed to benefit the public.

May 1, 2023

4 panels, 3 in monochrome with the bottom right in full color. The top two show similar pixelated, fuzzy white ovals, with the top right having a slightly larger oval. The bottom left shows a pixelated white circle with some grey fuzzy rays slightly protruding from it. The bottom right panel shows a swirling blue galaxy with a white center in black space.

Astronomers detect the closest example yet of a black hole devouring a star

The event was spotted in infrared data — also a first — suggesting further searches in this band could turn up more such bursts.

April 28, 2023

Aerial view of the MIT campus shows the roofs of several buildings, including the Great Dome, with a glimpse of Mass Ave, the Charles River, and the Boston skyline in the background.

MIT graduate engineering, business, science programs ranked highly by U.S. News for 2023-24

Graduate engineering program is No. 1 in the nation; MIT Sloan is No. 4.

April 25, 2023

Student in white sweater, arms crossed, in front of picture wall in hallway

Exploring the bow shock and beyond

PhD student Rishabh Datta seeks to further understanding of astrophysical phenomena.

April 24, 2023

A sunny day in Kilian Court. Groups of friends relax on the lawn or play frisbee. In the distance is the Boston skyline.

Eight from MIT elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences for 2023

The prestigious honor society announces more than 250 new members.

April 24, 2023

Several MIT students sitting at a narrow table collaborate in a classroom. Two have open laptops and there are snacks on the table.

Exploring new sides of climate and sustainability research

With the support of each other and MIT faculty, students in the MCSC’s Climate and Sustainability Scholars Program are making their impact on real-world climate challenges.

April 21, 2023