UMBC faculty and students are involved in a wide variety of research in astronomy and astrophysics.

This research is conducted by members of the physics department in the Joint Center for Astrophysics (JCA), and by members of the closely-related Center for Space Science & Technology (CSST) who mainly work at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) 25 miles south of the camps in Greenbelt, Maryland. There are numerous research opportunities in astrophysics for both graduate and undergraduate students at UMBC.

Currently UMBC has over 25 PhD astrophysicists working on various aspects of observational and theoretical astrophysics associated with Heliophysics, Galactic and ExtraGalactic sources. This research involves observations conducted in all wavebands from radio to γ-ray frequencies using most of the major astronomical satellites (Spitzer, Hubble), along with balloon payloads and a number of ground-based facilities. The focus is, however, on high-energy (X- &γ-rays, and particle) astrophysics, specifically research associated with the Chandra, Fermi (formerly known as GLAST), INTREGAL, Swift and XMM missions.

Many of UMBC’s scientists also work on the development of the associated instrument technology, software and calibration, and theoretical simulations for current and future missions.

Faculty with Research Interests in Astrophysics:

Dr. Markos Georganopoulos Bio

Dr. Ian George Bio

Dr. Mark Henriksen Bio

Dr. Eileen T. Meyer Bio

Dr. T. Jane Turner Bio