Center for Multi-messenger Astrophysics

WHAT WE DO

The Center for Multi-Messenger Astrophysics harnesses the power of gravitational waves alongside traditional astronomy to unlock the universe's most enigmatic phenomena.

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    Learning from Cataclysmic Cosmic Events

    Our team at the UM Center for Multi-Messenger Astrophysics works together using interstellar light, particles, and gravity to observe the most cataclysmic cosmic events in the universe unfold and learn the deepest secrets of the most powerful processes in nature. It is the ultimate extension of lying in a meadow at midnight, gazing up at the stars and wondering what's going on up there.

    [Above photo credit: Carl Knox, Creative Technologist, OzGrav-Swinburne University]

     


     

    From the Director

    Welcome to the UMCMA, where we look at, listen to, and interact with all the signals the cosmos is sending us from the farthest reaches of the universe to understand how it all works. We do it right here in Mississippi and at facilities across (and above!) the globe, and we're also doing it for Mississippians.

    The Center not only supports the research we do but also prioritizes sharing that science with our neighbors. We go all over the state to share the glories of our universe and let our students know that they can Stay in the 'Sip to take these cosmic trips themselves!

    Please visit us on campus anytime or let us know when and where we can come see your group to tell you all about what we're learning.

    image of Breese Quinn seated at his desk in his officeDr. Breese Quinn, Professor of Physics and Astronomy and Director of the Center for Multi-Messenger Astrophysics

    Community Engagement

    We recognize that the science we do belongs to the public who supports it, most importantly the citizens of our home state of Mississippi. We have had great success hosting a variety of public events at Kennon Observatory here on campus, and had the pleasure of sharing our science with neighbors across the state at places such as LeFleur's Bluff State Park, Mississippi State University, and throughout the region at meetings of the Southeastern Section of the APS and Society of Physics Students. If you are interested in visiting us or in us bringing our science to your group, please contact us and we'll set something up!
    image of a child's art work of the sky and stars

    Art Competition

    Dr. Gupta organizes a variety of community outreach activities that happen during the Astronomy Open House. Examples include public talks, astronomy trivia competitions, and astronomy art competition for all ages (photo). The art submissions were displayed in Lewis Hall, home of the Department of Physics and Astronomy as well as the Center.

     image of students peering through a telescope outside at night

    Astronomy Open House

    The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers astronomy open houses that are centered around viewings with our telescopes at Kennon Observatory on campus. See the scheduled open house events and what might be visible on those days. 

    Astronomy Open House Schedule

    In the News

    Breese Quinn stands in front of a classroom.
    Faculty News / Honors & Awards / Research News

    OXFORD, Miss. – The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation have named University of Mississippi physics professor Breese Quinn to their High Energy Physics Advisory Panel.