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Contact Us

Contact us

Office

Main Office
Webster Hall 1245
PO Box 2814
Pullman, WA  99164-2814

Administrative

Jann Dahmen-Morbeck
Webster 1245
509-335-9532
physics@wsu.edu

 

Academic

Jann Dahmen-Morbeck
Webster 1245
509-335-1698
physics@wsu.edu

Chairman

Brian Saam
Webster 1245D
509-335-9532

Request for Information

If you would like more information about admissions, or any other aspect of the department, please contact us using the information above, or fill out a Request for Information form.

Maps and Directions

Webster Hall

Physics and Astronomy Classes


Astronomy

  • Astronomy 135, Astronomy
  • Astronomy 138, Planets and Planetary Systems
  • Astronomy 150, Science and the Universe
  • Astronomy 345, Principles of Astronomy
  • Astronomy 390, The Night Sky
  • Astronomy 435, Astronomy and Astrophysics I
  • Astronomy 436, Astronomy and Astrophysics II
  • Astronomy 450, Life in the Universe

 

Physics
Undergraduate

  • Physics 101, General Physics
  • Physics 102, General Physics
  • Physics 201, Physics for Scientists and Engineers I
  • Physics 202, Physics for Scientists and Engineers II
  • Physics 205, Physics for Scientists and Engineers I Honors
  • Physics 206, Physics for Scientists and Engineers II Honors
  • Physics 303, Modern Physics I
  • Physics 304, Modern Physics II
  • Physics 320, Mechanics
  • Physics 330,Thermal Physics
  • Physics 341, Electricity and Magnetism I
  • Physics 342, Electricity and Magnetism II
  • Physics 410, Electronics
  • Physics 415, Quantum Physics Laboratory
  • Physics 443, Optics
  • Physics 450, Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
  • Physics 461, Introduction to Atomic and Molecular Physics
  • Physics 463, Introduction to Solid State and Material Physics
  • Physics 466, Biological Physics
  • Physics 490, Undergraduate Thesis
  • Physics 499, Special Problems

Physics
Graduate

  • Physics 521, Classical Mechanics I
  • Physics 533, Thermal and Statistical Physics I
  • Physics 534, Thermal and Statistical Physics II
  • Physics 541, Electromagnetic Theory
  • Physics 542, Electrodynamics
  • Physics 545, Nonlinear Optics
  • Physics 546, Quantum Electronics
  • Physics 550, Quantum Theory I
  • Physics 551, Quantum Theory II
  • Physics 552, Quantum Theory III
  • Physics 561, Atomic and Molecular Physics
  • Physics 563, Physics of Solid State
  • Physics 566, Biological Physics
  • Physics 571, Methods of Theoretical Physics
  • Physics 581, Advanced Topics
  • Physics 590, Seminar
  • Physics 598, Teaching Undergraduate Physics Laboratories
  • Physics 600, Special Projects or Independent Study
  • Physics 700, Master’s Research, Thesis, and/or Examination
  • Physics 702, Master’s Special Problems, Directed Study and/or Examination
  • Physics 800, Doctoral Research, Dissertation, and/or Examination

Jewett Observatory


Jewett Observatory

Jewett Observatory

The James Richard Jewett Observatory houses the largest refracting telescope in the state of Washington. The 12-inch double lens was polished at the Alvin Clark & Sons factory near Boston between 1887-1889 by the same optician that fabricated the world’s largest (40-inch) lens at Yerkes Observatory.

The present dome and support building were designed in 1950 and dedicated in 1953. The philanthropy of Mr. and Mrs. George Jewett of Spokane made the project possible, and it was named after George’s father, a professor of Arabic at Harvard, and a “friend of astronomy for many years.”

The observatory is used primarily for student “laboratories” and also contains 10 portable telescopes for hands-on education.

Star Parties!

Jewett Observatory is our direct window on the heavens. In spring, summer, and fall, we hold public star parties, where any interested person can come to view the cosmos through the historic 12-inch Clark.

Most public evenings feature a crescent moon, star clusters, nebulae, double stars, and other surprises, but what is visible depends strongly on the weather. In 2021, Jupiter and Saturn are late-summer and fall objects, with Venus as an evening star.

All are welcome! There is no charge. Please dress warmly, even in summer. Clouds render all astronomical objects invisible, so do not come if you cannot see any stars out. We will also close if the air quality index exceeds 200: “very unhealthy.” All events cosponsored by the Palouse Astronomical Society.

Jewett Telescope

The observatory will be open on Saturdays near first quarter lunar phases.

2024 open nights:

  • Monday, Apr 8, partial eclipse viewing. First contact 10:37 a.m., 39% deepest partial 11:34 a.m., last contact 12:32 p.m.
  • Saturday, Apr 13, 2024, starting at 9 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 18, 2024, starting at 9 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 15, 2024, starting at 9 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 13, 2024, starting at 9 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug 10, 2024, starting at 9 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sept 7, 2024, starting at 9 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct 12, 2024, starting at 9 p.m.

Events are cancelled in the case of cloudy or inclement weather. 

Directions

The observatory is located near the intersection of Grimes Way and Olympia Avenue. There are about a dozen “blue” parking slots at the observatory (anybody can park there after hours or on weekends).

From Spokane, take Hwy 195 south to Pullman. Follow Hwy 270 east. Hwy 270 jogs through downtown and continues to the University. Turn left on Stadium Way, then the first right turn onto Olympia. Olympia turns sharply to the left and uphill. Go past the stop sign at Chinook Drive. You will see the equine track downhill to your right and the observatory dome uphill to your left. Turn on Observatory Drive and park.

From Lewiston, take Hwy 195 north to Pullman. Follow Hwy 27, which becomes Grand Avenue, until you reach the downtown area. Turn right and follow Hwy 270 east to the University. Turn left on Stadium Way, then the first right turn onto Olympia. Olympia turns sharply to the left and uphill. Go past the stop sign at Chinook Drive. You will see the equine track downhill to your right and the observatory dome uphill to your left. Turn on Observatory Drive and park.

From Moscow on Hwy 270, turn right on Stadium Way, then immediately right on Olympia. Olympia turns sharply to the left and uphill. Go past the stop sign at Chinook Drive. You will see the equine track downhill to your right and the observatory dome uphill to your left. Turn on Observatory Drive and park.

The observatory has no on-site telephone. Use 335-4994 for messages.

Observatory coordinates: 46 deg 43 m 43.5 s N. Latitude, 117 deg 09 m 09 s W. Longitude

Request for more information


Please send me more information about graduate study in Physics and Astronomy at Washington State University.