3Q: Scott Hughes on cosmic distances and the future of gravitational wave astronomy
Professor of physics describes our understanding of the expansion of the universe through “standard sirens.”
Department
Physics
LIGO and Virgo make first detection of gravitational waves produced by colliding neutron stars
Discovery marks first cosmic event observed in both gravitational waves and light.
Grad students earn Department of Energy computational fellowships
Ahrens, Rathbun, Silmore, and Wei are recognized for tackling complex science and engineering problems of national importance.
School of Science welcomes new faculty members
This fall brings 14 new professors in the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
Introducing the Materials Research Laboratory at MIT
Materials Processing Center, Center for Materials Science and Engineering merger brings together formidable resources for advancing next-generation materials.
Stanislaw Olbert, professor emeritus of physics and a pioneering theorist of the space age, dies at 94
Olbert researched measurements of solar wind with instruments on several NASA space missions, including the Voyager probes.
MIT physicist Rainer Weiss shares Nobel Prize in physics
LIGO inventor and professor emeritus of physics recognized “for decisive contributions to the LIGO detector and the observation of gravitational waves.”
Shirley Jackson speaks about her career and being an agent for change
Professor Paula Hammond talks with MIT Corporation life member about her experiences as an MIT student, research scientist, and university president.
First open-access data from large collider confirm subatomic particle patterns
CERN Open Data Portal results reveal predictable patterns from colliding high-energy protons.
Researchers identify molecular motor that transforms chromosomes
Experiments confirm hypothesis about how the genome becomes organized into “neighborhoods.”
Gravitational waves from a binary black hole merger observed by LIGO and Virgo
Finding represents first joint detection of gravitational waves with both detectors.
Kaylee de Soto: A game changer
Incoming freshman refreshes Plasma Science and Fusion Center outreach tools.
Experiments confirm theory of “superballistic” electron flow
Behaving like particles in a viscous fluid can help bunches of electrons squeeze through a tight space.
TESS mission to discover new planets moves toward launch
Satellite’s cameras have been delivered by MIT researchers and passed NASA inspection.
Ultracold molecules hold promise for quantum computing
New approach yields long-lasting configurations that could provide long-sought “qubit” material.