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Physics Today

@physicstoday.aip.org
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The world's most popular physics magazine. physicstoday.aip.org

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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 28/09/2026
Urban trees provide many benefits, but their effect on pollution isn’t black and white. Research from Beijing finds that pollutants produced by some common native trees are contributing to ozone in the city. #climatescience #ozone
physicstoday.aip.org
Urban trees in Beijing have unexpected consequences for city ozone production
Measurements of the reactivity of volatile organic compounds emitted by urban trees show that they contribute more to ground-level ozone than do other, human-produced forms of emissions.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 25/09/2026
Distinguishing ancient artifacts from forgeries is an ongoing challenge for museums and institutions, with no foolproof method of confirming authenticity. But a new technique that uses secondary magnetization could help to root out the fakes. #physics #geophysics
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Magnetic “noise” holds the key to catching clay counterfeits
The heat required to erase secondary magnetic signals in clay can aid researchers in distinguishing ancient pottery from modern forgeries.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 24/09/2026
High school student Jasmine Wu won first place in the Contrived category of @aapthq.bsky.social’s High School Physics Photo Contest for her photo of Epsom salt undergoing birefringence. When viewed through a DIY polariscope, the high-resolution image evokes the surface of a planet beyond our own.
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The Crystal Planet: Magnesium Sulfate Birefringence
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 23/09/2026
As a patent lawyer at Polsinelli, Taryn Elliott shepherds breakthrough inventions through the patent cycle. She also advises companies on how their IP strategy can support their broader business goals. #whatcanphysicistsdo
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Taryn Elliott helps companies protect and commercialize technologies
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Paul Guinnessy @paulguinnessy.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Academic couples are similar in terms of career development to being in the armed services that anything else (with deployments lasting 2-3 years then you have to move again). So how do you handle the two-body problem if you're both academics? @physicstoday.aip.org interviews a couple to find out
physicstoday.aip.org
Navigating academia as a dual-career couple
Myriad solutions emerge in the stressful process of balancing professional ambition and personal happiness.
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AIP Niels Bohr Library & Archives @history.aip.org · 02/09/2026
NBLA has been the longtime holders of photographs from physicist Hertha Sponer’s album from Göttingen. Thanks to a recent project, it is now properly situated as Sponer's, not Franck's collection. www.aip.org/library/ex-libris-unive…
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Hertha Sponer at Göttingen
September Photos of the Month
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 21/09/2026
If you’ve ever produced a tone by blowing a stream of air across the mouth of a bottle, you’ve used what’s known as a Helmholtz resonator. Now researchers have found a way to harness that resonance effect to propel miniature boats and aircraft. #physics #acoustics
physicstoday.aip.org
Tiny robots can be moved by sound
Researchers harness the power of acoustic resonance to move and steer 3D-printed boats and microfliers.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 18/09/2026
A football player turned astrophysicist, @dtstarkid.bsky.social is making a go of a career in science communication: He hosts podcasts, creates YouTube videos, gives public talks, and more through his business, Star Kid Enterprises. #astronomy #scicomm
physicstoday.aip.org
Q&A: Dakotah Tyler on fashioning a science communication business
After an injury forced him to pivot away from football, Tyler had a chance encounter that ignited his curiosity about exoplanets.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 17/09/2026
Navigating the academic job market is always stressful, and doing so as a couple raises the stakes. Toni Feder spoke to couples about their strategies and experiences, what help institutions provide, and what sorts of solutions they’ve found—including when it’s time to walk away. #careersissue
physicstoday.aip.org
Navigating academia as a dual-career couple
Myriad solutions emerge in the stressful process of balancing professional ambition and personal happiness.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 16/09/2026
Seismic monitoring stations can be used to detect turbulence inside hurricanes. The data can also help refine models used for storm prediction. #climatescience
physicstoday.aip.org
Earthquake detectors measure hurricane turbulence
Seismic and acoustic data can be used to understand atmospheric energy exchanges occurring just above the surface.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 15/09/2026
@dkspaulding.bsky.social’s shock-wave studies on minerals to understand planetary formation had significant overlap with research on stockpile stewardship of nuclear weapons. Now he applies that knowledge at @ucs.org to work toward nuclear disarmament. #whatcanphysicistsdo
physicstoday.aip.org
Dylan Spaulding merges science and politics to push for nuclear peace
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 14/09/2026
80 years after the US first detonated a nuclear weapon in the Marshall Islands, parts of the archipelago remain contaminated. Historian M. X. Mitchell speaks with Benetick Kabua Maddison, executive director of @meinonprofit.bsky.social, about the legacy of US operations in the islands. #histSTM
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The 80-year nuclear legacy in the Marshall Islands
An interview with a prominent member of the Marshallese diaspora delves into the ongoing impact of aboveground US nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific archipelago.
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Missy Cummings @forrealflygirl.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Always fun hanging out with the @physicstoday.aip.org crowd! physicstoday.aip.org/news/q-a-mis...
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Q&A: Missy Cummings strives to make self-driving cars safer
The former fighter pilot wants the designers of autonomous systems to heed the hard lessons from aviation.
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Joe Giaime @giaime.net · 11/09/2026
Interesting article in Physics Today about NSF grantmaking trends for recent years and the present one. I’m grateful that US taxpayer support through NSF has funded high-risk high-reward work. It’s nice to see that photo of LIGO’s test mass suspension, now at the Smithsonian.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 11/09/2026
Former fighter pilot Missy Cummings witnessed accidents in aviation caused by human–machine miscommunication. She now studies how other modes of transportation, like self-driving cars, can avoid future accidents.
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Q&A: Missy Cummings strives to make self-driving cars safer
The former fighter pilot wants the designers of autonomous systems to heed the hard lessons from aviation.
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Grant Witness @grantwitness.org · 11/09/2026
Glad to work with @aip.bsky.social to highlight the dramatic loss of support for physics from NSF this year. Dig into the numbers at grantwitness.org/nsf 🧪
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The University of Chicago Press @uchicagopress.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
M. X. Mitchell, author of UNSETTLING SOVEREIGNTIES, interviews Benetick Kabua Maddison about the ongoing impact of aboveground US nuclear weapons testing in the Marshall Islands. Read at @physicstoday.aip.org. buff.ly/eLaoW83
physicstoday.aip.org
The 80-year nuclear legacy in the Marshall Islands
An interview with a prominent member of the Marshallese diaspora delves into the ongoing impact of aboveground US nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific archipelago.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 10/09/2026
With less than one month to go in the federal fiscal year, NSF has awarded 31% fewer grants in its math and physical sciences directorate than the average for 2000–24. physicstoday.aip.org/news/the-shrin…
physicstoday.aip.org
The shrinking NSF support for the physical sciences
The agency has awarded fewer grants in the physical sciences this year than most years in its history.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 10/09/2026
Global oceans abound with small-scale temperature fronts that exchange energy with the air and alter atmospheric wind patterns. A new study sheds light on how the fronts can affect larger-scale climate processes. #climatescience
physicstoday.aip.org
Kilometer-scale oceanic warm fronts can rapidly alter the atmosphere
Data from a multi-instrument observation campaign shed light on fine-scale, fast-changing air–sea interactions that have implications for scientists’ understanding of larger-scale climate dynamics.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 09/09/2026
As the NIST research reactor starts back up, the user community is excited about having more neutrons for scattering experiments but also worried that low funding will prevent their full exploitation.
physicstoday.aip.org
NIST neutron source restarts after prolonged closure
The user community is cheering the availability of more neutrons for scattering experiments while also worrying that a budget shortfall will prevent their full exploitation.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 08/09/2026
A collaboration of three companies has demonstrated robust quantum encryption—incorporating both quantum cryptographic keys and a next-generation encryption scheme—over a high-speed internet link while maintaining the network’s regular commercial traffic. #quantum
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Robust quantum encryption demonstrated over high-speed internet network
Over a fiber-optic line with state-of-the-art throughput, light carrying the classical information of internet users was joined by photons serving as quantum cryptographic keys.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 04/09/2026
Rodrigo Araiza Bravo works as a public servant for the state of Illinois, where he is helping launch a research park for quantum and microelectronics. #whatcanphysicistsdo
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Rodrigo Araiza Bravo is coordinating the creation of a state-funded research park
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 03/09/2026
When the Sun sends streams of charged particles toward Earth, the resulting geomagnetic storms can cause power grid failure, disruptions to GPS and global communication, and increased radiation exposure. A new analysis reveals that such storms could get more intense than experts had expected.
physicstoday.aip.org
Geomagnetic storms could get worse than we thought
What had appeared to be an upper limit to the strength of the events is an artifact of measurement uncertainty and statistical bias. Those lessons could be relevant for data analyses in other discipli...
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 02/09/2026
Gravitons are the hypothesized quanta of gravitational energy. Their direct detection has long been considered to be practically impossible because gravity is such a weak force. But with recent advances in experimental capabilities, graviton detection may be a realistic goal. #gravitation
physicstoday.aip.org
Demystifying graviton detection
Detecting quantum particles of gravity was long considered hopeless. A new perspective, which takes advantage of quantum technologies, suggests that an experimental realization may be closer than prev...
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 01/09/2026
@shanpalus.bsky.social beelined to science writing; she liked physics and figured that a degree in it would be good for her career. That strategy paid off: She’s now a features editor at @slate.com.
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Shannon Palus edits articles about science and more at Slate
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 28/08/2026
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is built from a donated spy satellite. The donation is not as unusual as it sounds. #NASARoman
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The Roman Space Telescope isn’t the only US observatory built from spy tech
The newest spacecraft from NASA started as a spy telescope. It’s just one example of the intelligence world offering resources to astronomers.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 27/08/2026
To simulate such phenomena as the scrambling of information inside a black hole, researchers need simply to shake an optical lattice. The technique could provide a pathway to simulating a prominent model used to study quantum chaos. #chaos #optics
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A shaken lattice of ultracold atoms can simulate extreme quantum chaos
Although atoms in an optical lattice typically have only local interactions, periodically shaking them can effectively induce random long-range couplings.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 26/08/2026
In the 1990s, researchers figured out how to fully characterize a quantum state and helped pave the way for the now-booming field of quantum information science. Michael Raymer explains how they did it. #quantum
physicstoday.aip.org
How and why to measure a quantum state
With quantum state tomography, researchers in the booming field of quantum information science are able to characterize essential operations and devices.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 24/08/2026
Using the world’s largest solar telescope, researchers captured the highest-resolution photo to date of the Sun’s surface. The observations may shed light on the source of solar behaviors, such as coronal mass ejections. #BackScatter #astronomy
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A close-up of the Sun
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 21/08/2026
Greg Stasiewicz stays connected to the physics community in his behind-the-scenes role as digital product manager at @physicstoday.aip.org.
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Greg Stasiewicz optimizes Physics Today 's online presence
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Physgal ⚛️ @physgal.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
"...Mothers’ likelihood of being employed in academia 8 years after they became parents was 29% lower than the likelihood if they hadn’t had children. The mothers who stayed in academia were 23% less likely to obtain tenure 8 years after having their first child than had they not become parents." 👩🏻‍🔬🧪
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Study of Danish academics reveals child penalty
Academics in the child-friendly nation face career disadvantages, such as lower employment rates, after becoming parents.
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Athene Donald @athenedonald.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Even in an apparently egalitarian country like Denmark with generous parental leave entitlements, having children leads to significant detriment for academic mothers, somewhat smaller effect on fathers who take parental leave physicstoday.aip.org/news/study-o...)
physicstoday.aip.org
Study of Danish academics reveals child penalty
Academics in the child-friendly nation face career disadvantages, such as lower employment rates, after becoming parents.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 17/08/2026
When Katherine Quinn developed doubts about staying in academia, she sought an engaging career that would both use her physics and pay well. She’s now a data scientist at @csetgeorgetown.bsky.social, a think tank that focuses on policy analysis. #whatcanphysicistsdo
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Katherine Quinn teases out trends in global research and innovation
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 13/08/2026
Having children is increasingly being recognized as a dominant driver of gender inequality. A study on academic careers in Denmark found evidence of child penalties despite the country’s paid parental leave and subsidized childcare.
physicstoday.aip.org
Study of Danish academics reveals child penalty
Academics in the child-friendly nation face career disadvantages, such as lower employment rates, after becoming parents.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 12/08/2026
X-ray imaging is a powerful medical tool, but prolonged exposure can damage cells. Researchers recently demonstrated how an advance in a technique called ghost imaging could drastically reduce the amount of radiation needed to produce high-resolution images.
physicstoday.aip.org
Ghost imaging delivers high resolution with a limited x-ray dose
A new version of a technique that images samples with the help of light that never reaches them brings researchers closer to the goal of reducing radiation exposure in medical imaging.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 11/08/2026
Fewer students are getting physics bachelor’s degrees. To respond, departments need to adapt to the changing higher-education landscape and intentionally prepare prospective students for their programs, writes AIP’s @tjowens.bsky.social.
physicstoday.aip.org
The decline in physics bachelor’s degrees: Contributors and consequences
As higher-education programs compete for a shrinking pool of students, departments must better communicate the value that a physics major brings.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 10/08/2026
Philip Franke had his heart set on working in academia or a national lab, but for family reasons, he entered the private sector. One plus of his job as a team leader working on laser wakefield plasma acceleration, he says, is that he still does hands-on research. #whatcanphysicistsdo
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Philip Franke develops laser wakefield acceleration applications
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 06/08/2026
US and Soviet (later Russian) scientists helped end the Cold War nuclear arms race in the 1980s and 1990s. Three prominent individuals involved in the disarmament efforts—Frank von Hippel, Roald Sagdeev, and Thomas Cochran—give a firsthand account of those successes. #histSTM #nuclear #disarmament
physicstoday.aip.org
How Soviet and US scientists helped end the Cold War nuclear arms race
Three physicists give a firsthand account of disarmament efforts in the 1980s and 1990s.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 05/08/2026
Electron microscopes are used to uncover the structure of proteins, like that of the COVID-19 spike protein used to develop vaccines. For nearly a century, scientists have known that phase shifting an electron beam could improve the method. They’ve finally found a reliable way to do it. #lasers
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Ultrabright laser brings details of proteins into focus
For nearly a century, scientists have known that phase shifting an electron beam could radically improve electron microscopy. They’ve finally found a reliable way to do it.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 04/08/2026
Uncertainties in funding and visas are complicating international students’ US experiences and leading some to go elsewhere.
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The US is losing appeal for international students
Uncertainties in funding and visas are complicating international students’ US experiences and leading some to go elsewhere.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 03/08/2026
Unable to solve his family’s two-body problem, Sam Waldman turned down a faculty position. He went to work at SpaceX and then founded Neutralino Space Ventures, a startup that modifies computers and imagers for space telescopes.
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Sam Waldman builds instruments for space telescopes
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 30/07/2026
Anna Quider parlayed her science background and her policy experience into forming a consulting firm that helps the research community navigate federal policy and other challenges.
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Q&A: Anna Quider advises the STEM community on federal policy
A love of science and ease in communicating led her to start a consulting firm that aims to broaden opportunities in science and technology.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 30/07/2026
For the first time, researchers have characterized the atmosphere of an exoplanet closely orbiting a white dwarf and used the data to predict how the planet survived the shutdown of its star.
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Life beyond stellar death for an unusual exoplanet
Researchers have characterized the atmosphere of a massive gas planet closely orbiting a white dwarf to better understand how it survived the shutdown of its star.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 27/07/2026
Atmospheric rivers move huge volumes of water across the globe, bringing long rainy days and sometimes causing major floods. Serena Scholz and Juan Lora explain how these rivers in the sky form and how climate change could extend their reach.
physicstoday.aip.org
Rivers in the sky
Atmospheric rivers transport huge volumes of water great distances across the globe, and climate change could extend their reach.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 24/07/2026
At the nonprofit @activatefellows.bsky.social, Dan Recht helps scientists and engineers commercialize technology and develop as entrepreneurs.
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Dan Recht helps scientists commercialize technologies
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 17/07/2026
Researchers don’t need to do science engagement alone. As @jbarder.bsky.social writes, working with professionals makes the job easier, more effective, and can lead to better science. physicstoday.aip.org/features/when-…
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When it comes to science engagement, hire a professional
Researchers don't need to do science engagement alone. Working with professionals makes the job easier and more effective and can lead to better science.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 16/07/2026
The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum celebrated its 50th anniversary by unveiling five new galleries on 1 July. The new exhibitions are part of a museum-wide renovation that began in 2018 and that will conclude with the opening of two more galleries this fall.
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Air and Space Museum celebrates 50 years with revamped galleries
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 15/07/2026
Even a small nuclear conflict could cause irreversible damage to global climate and food systems—but analysts considering the consequences of nuclear war often ignore those risks. #nuclearweapons
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Willful ignorance of the global impact of nuclear war
Even a limited nuclear war could disrupt the climate, ecosystems, and global food supplies. Nuclear strategies and decisions should be required to factor in those potential consequences.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 14/07/2026
Increased emissions from wildfires in the past decade have reversed earlier progress made in decreasing US surface-level ozone pollution, a new analysis finds.
physicstoday.aip.org
Wildfire emissions reverse declines in US surface ozone levels
A dataset of daily ozone concentrations with high spatial resolution enables researchers to identify the reversal.
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Physics Today @physicstoday.aip.org · 13/07/2026
The quantum world is full of counterintuitive phenomena. Using a vortex to scatter standing waves in water, researchers showed how classical fluids can serve as laboratories for visualizing quantum effects that may be much harder to observe in quantum systems. #BackScatter #quantum
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A classical analogue for quantum effects
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