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The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers three degree programs: 
  • an AB with a major in Physics,
  • a BS with a major in Physics
  • a BS with a combined major in Physics and Astronomy
It also offers Physics courses for the BS in Education degree with certification in Physics.


Ward Beecher Planetarium link

IYA public observing opportunities now online - go to the Planetarium home page.



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James Andrews
, professor, Physics & Astronomy, co–authored a paper titled “Melt–Processed All–Polymer Distributed Bragg Reflector Laser,” published in Optics Express, an optics research journal. The paper was also featured on the Institute of Physics Web site, Optics.org. Andrews wrote the paper with researchers from Case Western Reserve University’s Departments of Physics and Macromolecular Science & Engineering.
Source: YSU News Briefs Dec. 15, 2008


Virgo Cluster Collision

John Feldmeier, YSU assistant professor of astronomy, is part of a team of astronomers that has discovered a high–speed collision between two galaxies in the nearby Virgo cluster. This picture of part of the Virgo cluster shows monumental tendrils of ionized hydrogen gas 400,000 light years long connecting the elliptical galaxy M86 (right) and the disturbed spiral galaxy NGC 4438 (left). The image was taken with the wide–field Mosaic imager on the National Science Foundation’s Mayall 4–meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tuscon, Ariz. See News Brief below. Photo credit: Tomer Tal and Jeffrey Kenney/Yale University and NOAO/AURA/NSF
Source: YSU News Briefs Dec. 1, 2008

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An asteroid has recently been named for YSU alumnus Richard Pirko, the late show producer and technician of YSU’s Ward Beecher Planetarium. 

The asteroid is in the main asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter and was discovered at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz., in June 2000. Formerly known as Asteroid 2000 LS36, the International Astronomical Union has officially named it Asteroid Pirko.

The naming was initiated by Rob Landis, a NASA employee and long-time friend of Rick.

Pirko’s passion for astronomy exposed hundreds of thousands of people to the wonders of the universe, said Warren Young, interim chair of the YSU Physics and Astronomy Department. 

“This is a fitting tribute to a very dedicated educator,” Young said. “He was an amazing person with a unique combination of talents. We feel his loss every day.”

Pirko worked at the planetarium for over 30 years writing, producing and presenting planetarium shows to public school classes, college classes and the general public. He died of an apparent heart attack on Oct. 15 at the University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center in Chardon. He was 55.
From: YSU eUpdate



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William G. Sturrus, Chair, Department of Physics & Astronomy 
c. 2001-09 Department of Physics & Astronomy, Youngstown State University
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