News | The Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy

08/28/2023

Removal of Caltech Submillimeter Observatory Telescope from Maunakea Underway

Disassembly of the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory’s 34-foot diameter telescope on Maunakea has begun.

08/28/2023

Kip Thorne (BS '62) Explains the Power of Gravitational Waves

Andrew Moseman

Long before he shared the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), Kip Thorne (BS ’62) was simply someone who looked to the stars with wonder and awe. As he explains in this video produced by the National Science Foundation, however, there are limits to merely looking.

Illustration of Kip Thorne in front of an astronomical background

08/09/2023

What Do a Jellyfish, a Cat, a Snake, and an Astronaut Have in Common? Math.

Emily Velasco

Researchers show that a wide variety of animal locomotion styles can be modeled with a single algorithm.

A computer generated image of a jellyfish at several stages of its swimming motion.

07/31/2023

These Student Projects Could Help Build a Moon Base

Ker Than

The LATTICE and HOMES projects out of Caltech demonstrate how to move materials across the lunar surface and keep pesky moon dust out of lunar habitats.

Caltech student setting up LATTICE demonstrator during a demo on campus

07/20/2023

Caltech Mourns the Passing of David B. Wales (1939–2023)

Whitney Clavin

Caltech’s mathematics professor David Wales, who spent more than 50 years at the Institute, passed away on July 17.

07/20/2023

Moon Gazing: The Long Story of Lunar Research at Caltech

Ker Than

NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer mission marks a new chapter in Caltech’s enduring exploration of Earth’s closest celestial companion.

Bethany Ehlmann holding a model of the Moon in her hand

07/19/2023

Two-Faced Star Exposed

Whitney Clavin

Unusual white dwarf star is made of hydrogen on one side and helium on the other.

dappled blue orb with a black background dotted with stars

07/10/2023

Keck Foundation Honors Edward Stone with Endowed Professorship at Caltech

Annette Moore

The W. M. Keck Foundation has given $4 million to Caltech to endow the Edward C. Stone Professorship. The position honors the internationally known physicist who served for 50 years as project scientist for NASA's Voyager mission.