“Regan is also redefining our knowledge of plasma physics at Mars. She has
conducted expert analysis of spacecraft observations from Mars Express and
the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission, and classified
over 4400 magnetic boundaries ... In particular, Regan has newly discovered
that the boundary dips towards the surface over areas of Mars’ crustal magnetic
fields, due to plasma confinement in these regions.”
West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.
Research Assistant Professor Christopher Fowler is a planetary science researcher in the West Virginia University Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Center for KINETIC Plasma Physics. Fowler analyzes in-situ plasma measurements obtained by spacecraft, including the NASA Mars MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) mission, where he works on the instrumentation team.
WVU is a comprehensive land grant university and WVU’s Carnegie Classification is R1 (“Doctoral Universities - Very High Research Activity”). Morgantown is centrally located and regularly makes “Best Place to Live” lists because of its good schools, excellent health care, low unemployment rate, low crime rate, and abundant recreational opportunities. WVU provides faculty members with a supportive environment for developing a visible and productive career (https://talentandculture.wvu.edu/new-employees) and commits to assist in partner employment.
As a graduate student in the WVU Department of Physics and Astronomy, Barbhuiya performed
groundbreaking research that will have an impact on the study of superheated gases
called plasmas that arise in the regions of space near Earth and in the atmosphere
of the Sun.
One of the most significant opportunities afforded to young scientists as an undergraduate student is the experience of hands-on research and creative exploration.
The GREENBURST research team, which has been operating for the past five years,
has just received funding to extend its quest to search for transient radio sources
using the Green Bank Telescope in Green Bank, West Virginia. With support from
a three-year $580,000 award from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the team
aims to discover and study fast radio bursts (FRBs) and ultra-long period pulsars.
Summer 2024 was a whirlwind of activity for the Department of Physics and Astronomy!
Our community of students, staff, and faculty embarked on domestic and international
journeys to expand their knowledge, conduct groundbreaking research, and share
their discoveries. Additionally, we hosted various camps and programs on campus
and at partner sites. Here’s a glimpse at a few highlights from our exciting
summer!
Extreme solar flares and a geomagnetic storm hit Earth on May 10-11, 2024 disrupting Earth’s magnetosphere and resulted in various disruptions including certain GPS functionalities. It also provided us with a stunning arrangement of colorful aurorae across the globe. This geomagnetic storm was the most powerful storm on record since 1989.
GEM, supported by the National Science Foundation, is one of the most prestigious conferences in the field of space physics. Approximately 125 space physics students from around the world participated in the poster competition.
