NJIT in the News

NJIT researchers are at work on many scientific and technological frontiers. The National Science Foundation has recently provided support that totals nearly $4.3 million for the diverse efforts of the following investigators under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

During the next decade, solar physicists will learn more than they might have dreamed possible about the Sun, thanks to current technologies that have advanced the capacity of ground-based and space-based instruments.   All the more reason for the excitement on Oct. 3, 2009 when NJIT formally dedicates the new solar telescope at Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO), CA.

NJIT Professor Dale Gary, PhD, of Berkeley Heights, an expert in solar radio data, was promoted to distinguished professor.   Gary examines the conditions under which solar radio bursts from distinct solar events can disrupt cellular telephone signals.

NJIT’s new 1.6-meter clear aperture solar telescope—the largest of its kind in the world—is now operational.  The unveiling of this remarkable instrument—said to be the pathfinder for all future, large ground-based telescopes—could not have come at a more auspicious moment for science.  This year marks the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s telescope that he used to demonstrate that sunspots are indeed on the Sun. 

NJIT physics professor Andrew Gerrard hopes by the end of October to be able to peer through what will be the second largest optical telescope east of Texas. Under his direction, a 1.2-meter diameter, fully-steerable Itek optical telescope will soon be installed far from city lights atop Jenny Jump Mountain, Hope. 

The NJIT Board of Overseers and NJIT President Robert A. Altenkirch presented yesterday to Philip R. Goode, PhD the first NJIT Excellence in Research Prize and Medal. Goode, who has led a five-year project to build the world’s most capable 1.6-meter solar telescope at Big Bear Solar Observatory in Big Bear Lake, CA, is distinguished professor of physics and director of the Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research, which manages the observatory. 

During the next decade, solar physicists will learn more than they have dreamed possible about the Sun, thanks to current technologies that have advanced the capacity of land-based instruments. Such advancements will be the focus of a talk on March 26 by noted NJIT solar astronomer Philip R. Goode, PhD. The inaugural presentation of the NJIT Board of Overseers Excellence in Research Prize and Medal will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the Jim Wise Theatre, Kupfrian Hall.

During the next decade, solar physicists will learn more than they have dreamed possible about the Sun, thanks to current technologies that have advanced the capacity of land-based instruments. Such advancements will be the focus of a talk on March 26, 2008 by noted NJIT solar astronomer Philip R. Goode, PhD. 

Amateur astronomers can learn an assortment of information ranging from what it’s like to work with the Hubble telescope to the pleasures of star-gazing with high-power professional equipment at New Jersey’s annual Astronomy Day on May 6 in Hackettstown.

Solar physicists at NJIT say they expect to see dawn’s first light by January of 2006 with the new 1.6-meter telescope currently under construction. The National Science Foundation recently awarded $1.5 million to the project, which will arguably create the world’s largest optical telescope for solar research.