IU South Bend Physics & Astronomy

Spectra of Nova Ser 2025

Posted on July 25, 2025 by jhinnefe

Nova TCP J18385851-0351482, also called Nova Ser 2025, was discovered on Thursday, July 17, in the constellation Serpens Cauda. On Monday night, July 21, and again on Tuesday night, July 22, spectra of the nova were obtained with the 16″ telescope and Alpy 600 spectrograph in the IUSB Observatory. The diagram below shows the two IUSB spectra along with one collected on Sunday, July 20. The large peak at 6563 A wavelength is the “H-alpha” line — light emitted by hot hydrogen atoms. These spectra were collected roughly 24 hours apart, so this H-alpha line grew very rapidly in this period!

Here is a vertically expanded view of the spectrum, which gives a better look at the smaller peaks, many of which correspond to emission of light from singly ionized iron atoms (Fe II).

A Message from Dr. Lynker to IUSB Physics Majors

Posted on July 11, 2025 by jhinnefe

As you may have heard, the Governor recently signed a bill that will force restructuring for many degree programs in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences at universities and colleges in Indiana, including Physics at IUSB.

I want you to know that this change will not affect you as a current major. We will continue to offer all the courses you will need to earn your degree in Physics.

The Physics and Chemistry Departments will be combined into a Department of Physical Sciences, and together we are committed to providing you with the same quality education as previous physics majors have received. We are here for you and will continue to be!

Please ask if you have questions or concerns. Although I am currently in Germany, I check my email every day. My Physics colleagues, Professors Brian Davis, Ilan Levine, Rolf Schimmrigk, and Henry Scott are happy to answer questions also.

For all of us in the new Department of Physical Sciences,
Monika Lynker

Monika Lynker, Ph.D. (she/her)
Co-Chair, Department of Physical Sciences
Indiana University South Bend

Data from June 8th Rainstorm

Posted on June 10, 2025 by hpscott

Here’s an animated gif with TWN data from the June 8 rainstorm, as measured at the IU South Bend station, showing the preceding darkening as clouds rolled in coupled with decreasing distance to lightning strikes. Once the short-duration rain hit, the temperature dropped rapidly, and then the distance to lightning strikes increased again.

The rain measured at the Notre Dame River Observatory (NRO), which is right on the river a little south of Niles, started earlier and lasted longer, but was less intense than was measured at the IUSB station. Not surprisingly, the observed temperature drop was less dramatic at the NRO:

Planetary Alignment

Posted on February 27, 2025 by jhinnefe

CANCELED!!! (due to clouds)

Details: The IUSB Observatory will be open, weather permitting, from 6:45-8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28. All seven of the other planets in the solar system will be above the horizon briefly in the early evening sky, and we plan to look at a few of them through the 16″ telescope during this event.

Come to the elevators on the 1^st floor of Northside Hall at any time between 6:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. and wait to be escorted to the rooftop observatory. If the building is locked come to the northwest entrance (by the green lawn between Northside Hall and the Student Activity Center).

Please be sure to check back here before traveling to campus in case we need to cancel due to cloudy skies.

This event is being organized by the IUSB Physics Club.

MTS Map

Planets Galore! — at the IUSB Observatory, Jan. 29

Posted on January 27, 2025 by jhinnefe

Details: The IUSB Observatory will be open, weather permitting, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29. Six planets are visible in the evening sky this week, and we’ll try to see them all through the 16″ telescope during this event.

Come to the elevators on the 1^st floor of Northside Hall at any time between 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. and wait to be escorted to the rooftop observatory. If the building is locked come to the northwest entrance (by the green lawn between Northside Hall and the Student Activity Center.

Please be sure to check back here before traveling to campus in case we need to cancel due to inclement weather.

This event is being organized by the IUSB Physics Club and the Dept. of Physics and Astronomy.

MTS Map

Alum Sabrina Whitaker Wins National AAPT Travel Grant

Posted on January 12, 2025 by jhinnefe

Sabrina Whitaker (BS Physics ’07) has been named the recipient of the 2025 Barbara Wolff-Reichert Travel Grant by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). Here’s the press release. Congratulations, Sara!

Lunch with Alum E-Lexus Thornton

Posted on January 12, 2025 by jhinnefe

E-Lexus Thornton (BS Physics ’18) had lunch with Prof. Emeritus Jerry Hinnefeld at The Chocolate Cafe while back in town over the holidays. E-Lexus earned an MS in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Kentucky as part of an APS Bridge program, and he now works as a Quality Engineer for Toyota in Kentucky. We always enjoy the opportunity to catch up with our alumni.

Andrew Ratkiewicz Receives 2024 Alumni of the Year Award for School of Natural Sciences

Posted on September 24, 2024 by hpscott

Andrew Ratkiewicz, who graduated in 2006 with a B.S. in physics and a minor in math, was honored with the 2024 Alumni of the Year Award for the School of Natural Sciences at the 3rd annual Night of the Titans event on Tuesday, September 17th, 2024.

Chancellor’s Professor Emeritus Jerry Hinnefeld was featured in a prerecorded introduction for Andrew, and the award was presented by Associate Dean Henry Scott. Our chair, Prof. Monika Lynker attended as well. Professors Hinnefeld, Lynker, Schrimmigk and Scott all worked with Andrew on various research projects with Andrew during his time at IU South Bend. While in South Bend to receive the award, Andrew gave a talk in our Contemporary Physics Seminar about some of his current work: Nuclear-Plasma Interactions at the National Ignition Facility (NIF).

We are all incredibly proud of Andrew!

Photos of Andrew receiving the award. The two images on the left are from IUSB photographer Michael Caterina. The lower-left photo includes Chancellor Susan Elrod on the left and Moira Dyczko, Director of Alumni Relations and Campus Ceremonies, on the right.

Commencement 2024

Posted on May 9, 2024 by jhinnefe

Five physics graduates participated in IUSB Commencement exercises on Tuesday, May 7. Four of them are pictured here with Prof. Emeritus Jerry Hinnefeld — Phillip Derrickson, Zach Groshans, Joy Thompson, and Michael Wujcik.

The fifth, Emilee Edmonds, processed with the Platform Party as this year’s student speaker. Here she is giving her speech and receiving her diploma from Chancellor Susan Elrod.