Research Groups
Physicists work to understand the most basic laws of nature in the most simple and general way possible. Physicists also apply this understanding to solving engineering and design problems in every facet of modern life.
A majority of basic physics research in the United States happens in the Universities and the physics faculty at Sam are both scholars and educators.
All undergraduate physics students at Sam work closely with our faculty on a research project. Additionally, students may partner with outstanding faculty in Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Geology, or Engineering Technology for cross-disciplinary applications.
Our research interests span the broad categories of Particle Physics, Materials Science and Astronomy, from which students can launch into almost any postgraduate specialization.
Particle Physics
Particle Physics, also called High Energy Physics, is about identifying the most basic constituents of matter and describing their interactions.
SHSU professors James B. Dent, William Shepherd, and Joel W. Walker specialize in theoretical particle physics and "phenomenology", which bridges theory to experiment. Their work includes analysis of results from the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva Switzerland, which accelerates protons to 99.999999\% of the speed of light. Another interest is the search for dark matter, which is known from gravitational effects to represent about a quarter of the energy in the Universe, but which has never been observed directly. Additionally, they study mysterious properties of the elusive neutrino, produced in the Sun and at nuclear reactors, which can travel through a light-year of lead without ever interacting.
Materials Science
Materials Science, also called Solid State or Condensed Matter Physics, is about understanding mysterious emergent properties of dense atomic systems and designing superior molecular compounds for engineering applications. Physics professors Barry Friedman, Gan Liang, and Dr. Hui Fang investigate both the theoretical and experimental aspects of materials and their properties.
Dr. Friedman confronts this subject area from the theoretical and computational side. He has a special focus on the Quantum Hall effect, which exhibits a type of "topological entanglement" that could be relevant to quantum computing. Dr. Liang and Dr. Fang make their contributions in the laboratory, employing sophisticated equipment for x-ray spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Topics of interest include high-temperature superconductors and lithium-ion battery development.
Astronomy
Astronomy is about understanding our place in the Universe, and unraveling the clues of its history from light which reaches our telescopes from across the expanse of space.
Faculty active in this area are Professors Renee James and Scott Miller. They take a special interest in the data-based improvement of approaches to science education, and have hosted intensive NASA-funded continuing education experiences for high-school teachers.
Their scholarly expertise includes the topics of stellar spectroscopy and the study of ionized gas in spiral galaxies.
They are also regular contributors to popular astronomy periodicals and Dr. James is the author of two books on the history of science.
Dominey Observatory - Public Viewing Nights
To reserve your spot, please email observatory@shsu.edu or call (936) 294-1601. Please include the full names of all attendees when making your reservation.
| Date | Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, March 8th | 8:00pm | Reservations are currently at capacity. | |
| Saturday, March 22nd | 8:00pm | Reservations are currently at capacity. | |
| Saturday, April 12th | 8:00pm | Reservations are currently at capacity. | |
| Saturday, April 26th | 8:00pm | Reservations are currently at capacity. | |
FAQ
Can I come to the observatory without a reservation?
No, a reservation is required to visit the Dominey Observatory.
Is food or drink allowed?
No, we ask that all food and drinks be left in your car.
Can I bring my own telescope?
Yes, but prior approval is required when making your reservation. We encourage visitors to bring their own telescopes, but depending on the night, space may be limited.
What are your office hours?
Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM, excluding weekends and holidays.
Can I bring a large group, or do you allow field trips?
For large groups or organizations, please contact us directly to arrange a dedicated viewing session outside of our public events.
I saw that some nights are dedicated to students. Can I visit on those nights?
No, those nights are reserved exclusively for students enrolled in our astronomy courses.
How much does it cost?
Public viewings are FREE! However, we do accept donations.
How to Donate:
- Click Give Now
- Enter your Gift Amount
- Under Gift Designation, select College of Science & Engineering Technology
- Under Area of Support, choose Friends of Physics
Location & Directions
Dominey Observatory
📍 39 Knox Cir, Huntsville, TX 77320
Our location may not appear correctly in Apple Maps. We recommend using Google Maps for accurate directions: 39 Knox Circle