Astronomy

The Union College Ion-Beam Analysis Laboratory is home to a 1.1-MV tandem Pelletron accelerator, a unique tool for an undergraduate institution. It is used to train students in materials analysis projects. The Union College Observatory features a 20-inch Ritchey-Chretien telescope equipped with CCD cameras and a spectrograph, and a 7.5-foot radio telescope for research projects in observational and radio astronomy.

Astronomy and astrophysics students work with professors on cutting-edge research funded by the Department of Energy and National Science Foundation research grants. Students also are encouraged to participate in summer research projects funded by Union College fellowships and faculty grants. Every astronomy major completes a senior thesis project. Many students have conducted research at such national facilities as Kitt Peak National Observatory in Tucson, Arizona, and Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile. Students often present the results of their projects at professional conferences, and they have co-authored articles in scientific journals.

Union has an active, award-winning chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) that organizes social events, movie nights and outreach to local schools. The Department of Physics and Astronomy hosts a weekly lunchtime colloquium series, and also arranges regular department outings and luncheons.