For her latest book, Professor of Astronomy and Physics Karen Masters compiled a reading list of the best books in—and about—the universe.
Department ofPhysics and Astronomy
![](https://www.haverford.edu/sites/default/files/styles/department_homepage_image__1000_x_455_/public/Center/KINSC/kinsc-2024-image-contest-indy-srijumnong-24-m92_spectrum.jpeg?itok=APXPaB7W)
The spectra of the globular cluster, Messier 92 (M92), captured by the 16” telescope at Haverford College’s Strawbridge Observatory. Indy Srijumnong ’24, First Place Winner, 2024 KINSC Scientific Imaging Contest.
![](https://www.haverford.edu/sites/default/files/styles/department_homepage_image__1000_x_455_/public/Center/KINSC/kinsc-2024-image-contest-celeste-cubbage-24-iec_image1.jpeg?itok=fZ9DQpQc)
Plasma in an Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Device, built for Celeste Cubbage's senior thesis project with the Bryn Mawr Plasma Laboratory. Celeste Cubbage ’24, Honorable Mention, 2024 KINSC Scientific Imaging Contest.
![Ethan Baker '24, KINSC Imaging Contest](https://www.haverford.edu/sites/default/files/styles/department_homepage_image__1000_x_455_/public/Center/KINSC/KINSC-image-contest-Baker-2022.jpeg?itok=DoP-2Pbc)
Four vials containing quantum dots are shown absorbing UV light and re-emitting light at a different wavelength, which creates the vibrant glowing colors. Ethan Baker '24, First Place Winner, 2022 KINSC Scientific Imaging Contest.
![Purple and red circles around what looks like white x-ray items](https://www.haverford.edu/sites/default/files/styles/department_homepage_image__1000_x_455_/public/Office/Communications/image12.jpg?itok=S3ZYS91u)
An image processing of a photoelastic particle in MatLab using the PEGS inversion published software. Woodkensia Charles '24, Third Place Winner, 2022 KINSC Scientific Imaging Contest.
![](https://www.haverford.edu/sites/default/files/styles/department_homepage_image__1000_x_455_/public/Center/KINSC/KINSC-image-2023-Third-prize.jpg?itok=kthJj3-e)
The data used to create this image of the Triangulum Galaxy was collected on October 14, 2022 using the 16” telescope at Strawbridge Observatory and later processed using AstroImageJ and Photoshop to highlight the galaxy's unique features. Darshan Patel '23, Third Place Winner, 2023 KINSC Scientific Imaging Contest.
![Galaxy Group and friends at the AAS Meeting in New Orleans in January 2024. From left to right: Woodkensia Charles, Petra Mengistu, KLM, Narisara Mayer, Masa Killibarda, Margaret Wang, Sophia Lanava, and Indy Srijumnong](https://www.haverford.edu/sites/default/files/styles/department_homepage_image__1000_x_455_/public/Department/Physics-Astronomy/AAASJan2024-homepage.jpg?itok=soAf-qac)
Galaxy Group and friends at the American Astronomical Society Meeting in New Orleans in January 2024. From left to right: Woodkensia Charles ’24, Petra Mengistu ’24, Professor Karen Masters, Narisara Mayer ’25, Masa Killibarda ’26, Margaret Wang ’25, Sophia Lanava BMC ’24, Indy Srijumnong ’24.
The concepts and methods of physics are fundamental throughout the sciences, and have produced profound scientific, philosophical, and technological developments. Our physics and astronomy department is built on close work between students and faculty on cutting-edge research, with nearly all physics, astronomy and astrophysics majors participating.