The Department of Physical Sciences is home to several degree programs: Bachelor of Science in Astronomy & AstrophysicsBachelor of Science in Engineering PhysicsBachelor of Science in Space PhysicsMaster of Science in Engineering Physics; and Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Physics.

The programs offer a unique balance of engineering and physics curriculum, so students can focus on the scientific challenges and planning associated with mission design and space exploration, along with engineering fundamentals.

These programs prepare students to make positive scientific and technological contributions to our increasingly complex society. This highly research-oriented department has one of the oldest and largest Engineering Physics programs in the nation. Students are involved in all the research, which includes grants funded by NASA, the National Security Agency (NSA), and other agencies.

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Submissions from 2015

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Impact of Declining Proposal Success Rates on Scientific Productivity, Ted Von Hippel; Priscilla Cushman; Todd Hoeksema; Chryssa Kouveliotou; James Lowenthal; Bradley Peterson; and Keivan G. Stassun,

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To Apply or Not to Apply: A Survey Analysis of Grant Writing Costs and Benefits, Ted von Hippel and Courtney von Hippel

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Lower Thermospheric Response to Atmospheric Gravity Waves Induced By the 2011 Tohoku Tsunami, Yonghui Yu, Zhiyu Yan, and Michael P. Hickey Ph.D.

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Dynamics of Density Cavities Generated by Frictional Heating: Formation, Distortion, and Instability, M. D. Zettergren, J. L. Semeter, and H. Dahlgren

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Ionospheric Response to Infrasonic-Acoustic Waves Generated by Natural Hazard Events, M. D. Zettergren and J. B. Snively

Submissions from 2014

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Development of High-Purity Optical Grade Single-Crystal CVD Diamond for Intracavity Cooling, Andrew M. Bennett, Benjamin J. Wickham, Harpreet K. Dhillon, Ying Chen, Scott Webster, Giorgio Turri, and Michael Bass

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A Statistical Study of Magnetic Field Fluctuations in the Dayside Magnetosheath and Their Dependence on Upstream Solar Wind Conditions, A. P. Dimmock, K. Nykyri, and T. I. Pulkkinen

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On UAV Robust Nonlinear Control in Presence of Parametric Uncertainties, Vladimir V. Golubev and William MacKunis

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Numerical Simulation of the Long-Range Propagation of Gravity Wave Packets at High Latitudes, C. J. Heale, J. B. Snively, and M. P. Hickey

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Thermospheric Dissipation of Upward Propagating Gravity Wave Packets, C. J. Heale, J. B. Snively, M. P. Hickey, and C. J. Ali

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The Link Between Shocks, Turbulence and Magnetic Reconnection in Collisionless Plasmas, H. Karimabadi, V. Roytershteyn, H. X. Vu, Y. Omelchenko, J. Scudder, W. Daughton, A. Dimmock, Katariina (Heidi) Nykyri, and et al.

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Three Moving Groups Detected in the LAMOST DR1 Archive, Zhao J. K., Zhao G., Y. Q. Chen, T. D. Oswalt, K. F. Tan, and Y. Zhang

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Very Low Frequency Subionospheric Remote Sensing of Thunderstorm-Driven Acoustic Waves in the Lower Ionosphere, R. A. Marshall and J. B. Snively

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Nonadiabatic Heating in Magnetic Reconnection, Xuanye Ma and Antonius Otto

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Interaction of Magnetic Reconnection and Kelvin-Helmholtz Modes for Large Magnetic Shear: 1. Kelvin-Helmholtz Trigger, Xuanye Ma, Antonius Otto, and Peter A. Delamere

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Interaction of Magnetic Reconnection and Kelvin-Helmholtz Modes for Large Magnetic Shear: 2. Reconnection Trigger, Xuanye Ma, Antonius Otto, and Peter A. Delamere

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High-Resolution Spectroscopy of the Lunar Sodium Exosphere, E. J. Mierkiewicz, R. J. Oliversen, F. L. Roesler, and O. L. Lupie

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A Deep Proper Motion Catalog Within the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Footprint, Jeffrey A. Munn, Hugh C. Harris, Ted von Hippel, Mukremin Kilic, James W. Liebert, Kurtis A. Williams, Steven DeGenarro, Elizabeth Jeffery, and Trudy M. Tilleman

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Book Review: Cosmic Dawn: The Search for the First Stars and Galaxies, T. D. Oswalt

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Book Review: Planetary Rings: A Post-Equinox View 2nd Ed, T. D. Oswalt

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Book Review: Robotic Exploration of the Solar System: Pt. 4: The Modern Era, 2004-2013, T. D. Oswalt

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Book Review: The Observer's Guide to Planetary Motion: Explaining the Cycles of the Night Sky, T. D. Oswalt

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The Geocoronal H α Cascade Component Determined from Geocoronal H β Intensity Measurements, F. L. Roesler, E. J. Mierkiewicz, and S. M. Nossal

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The White Dwarfs Within 25 pc of the Sun: Kinematics and Spectroscopic Subtypes, Edward M. Sion, J. B. Holberg, Terry D. Oswalt, George P. McCook, Richard Wasatonic, and Janine Myszka

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Bayesian Analysis for Stellar Evolution with Nine Parameters (BASE-9): User's Manual, Ted von Hippel, Elliot Robinson, Elizabeth Jeffery, Rachel Wagner-Kaiser, Steven DeGennaro, Nathan Stein, David Stenning, William H. Jefferys, and David van Dyk

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The Power of Principled Bayesian Methods in the Study of Stellar Evolution, Ted von Hippel, David van Dyk, David Stenning, Elliot Robinson, Elizabeth Jeffery, Nathan Stein, William Jefferys, and Erin M. O'Malley

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Auroral Ionospheric F Region Density Cavity Formation and Evolution: MICA Campaign Results, M. Zettergren, K. A. Lynch, D. L. Hampton, M. Nicolls, B. Wright, and et al.

Submissions from 2013

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Elevated Electron Temperatures Around Twin Sporadic E Layers at Low Latitude: Observations and the Case for a Plausible Link to Currents Parallel to the Geomagnetic Field, Aroh Barjatya, J. P. St. Maurice, and C. M. Swenson

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Payload Charging Events in the Mesosphere and Their Impact on Langmuir Type Electric Probes, T. A. Bekkeng, Aroh Barjatya, U. P. Hoppe, and M. Friedrich

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The Optical Manifestation of Dispersive Field‐Aligned Bursts in Auroral Breakup Arcs, H. Dahlgren, J. L. Semeter, R. A. Marshall, and M. Zettergren

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The Statistical Mapping of Magnetosheath Plasma Properties Based on THEMIS Measurements in the Magnetosheath Interplanetary Medium Reference Frame, A. P. Dimmock and K. Nykyri

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Mapping of the Quasi-Periodic Oscillations at the Flank Magnetopause into the Ionosphere, E. R. Dougal, K. Nykyri, and T. W. Moore

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Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability of the CME Reconnection Outflow Layer in the Low Corona, Claire Foullon, Erwin Verwichte, Katariina Nykyri, Markus J. Aschwanden, and Iain G. Hannah

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Multi-Instrument Comparisons of D-Region Plasma Measurements, M. Friedrich, K. M. Torkar, U. P. Hoppe, T. A. Bekkeng, Aroh Barjatya, and M. Rapp

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Optical and Thermal Properties of Spinel with Revised (Increased) Absorption at 4 to 5 μM Wavelengths and Comparison with Sapphire, Daniel C. Harris and Giorgio Turri

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Moving Objects in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field, Mukremin Kilic, Alexandros Gianninas, and Ted von Hippel

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Asymmetry of Magnetosheath Flows and Magnetopause Shape During Low Alfvén Mach Number Solar Wind, B. Lavraud, E. Larroque, E. Budnik, V. Génot, J. E. Borovsky, M. W. Dunlop, K. Nykyri, and et al.

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Mechanisms of Field-Aligned Current Formation in Magnetic Reconnection, Xuanye Ma and Antonius Otto

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Measuring the Evolutionary Rate of Cooling of ZZ Ceti, Anjum S. Mukadam, Ted von Hippel, and et al.

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Impact of MHD Shock Physics on Magnetosheath Symmetry and Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability, K. Nykyri

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First Magnetic Seismology of the CME Reconnection Outflow Layer in the Low Corona with 2.5-D MHD Simulations of the Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability, Katariina Nykyri and Claire Foullon

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A Bayesian Approach to Deriving Ages of Individual Field White Dwarfs, Erin M. O'Malley, Ted von Hippel, and David A. van Dyk

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Book Review: Heart of Darkness: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Invisible Universe, T. D. Oswalt

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Book Review: Weird Worlds: Bizarre Bodies of the Solar System and Beyond, T. D. Oswalt

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Mesospheric Hydroxyl Airglow Signatures of Acoustic and Gravity Waves Generated by Transient Tropospheric Forcing, J. B. Snively

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Numerical and Statistical Evidence for Long-Range Ducted Gravity Wave Propagation Over Halley, Antarctica, J. B. Snively, K. Nielsen, M. P. Hickey, C. J. Heale, M. J. Taylor, and T. Moffat-Griffin

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Wave Heating and Jeans Escape in the Martian Upper Atmosphere, R. L. Walterscheid, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D., and G. Schubert

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Ionospheric Signatures of Acoustic Waves Generated by Transient Tropospheric Forcing, M. D. Zettergren and J. B. Snively

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70 DA White Dwarfs Identified in Lamost Pilot Survey, J. K. Zhao, A. L. Luo, Terry D. Oswalt, and G. Zhao

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Tracers of Chromospheric Structure. I. Ca Ii H&K Emission Distribution of 13,000 F, G, and K Stars in SDSS DR7 Spectroscopic Sample, J. K. Zhao, T. D. Oswalt, G. Zhao, Q. H. Lu, A. L. Luo, and L. Y. Zhang

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Tracers of Chromospheric Structure. I. CaII H&K Emission Distribution of 13000 F, G and K Stars in SDSS DR7 Spectroscopic Sample, J. K. Zhao, T. D. Oswalt, G. Zhao, Q. H. Lu, and L. Y. Zhang

Submissions from 2012

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3-D Mesoscale MHD Simulations of Magnetospheric Cusp-Like Configurations: Cusp Diamagnetic Cavities and Boundary Structure, E. Adamson, A. Otto, and K. Nykyri

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Optimization of Magnetic Powdered Activated Carbon for Aqueous Hg(II) Removal and Magnetic Recovery, Emily K. Faulconer, Natalia Hoogesteijn von Reitzenstein, and David W. Mazyck

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Ionospheric Signatures of Tohoku-Oki Tsunami of March 11, 2011: Model Comparisons Near the Epicenter, David A. Galvan, Attila Komjathy, Michael P. Hickey, Philip Stephens, Jonathan Snively, Y. Tony Song, Mark D. Butala, and Anthony J. Mannucci

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Gravity-wave-induced Variations in Exothermic Heating in the Low-latitude, Equinox Mesophere and Lower Thermosphere Region, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D. and Tai-Yin Huang

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Gravity Wave Propagation in a Diffusively Separated Gas: Effects on the Total Gas, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D. and R. L. Walterscheid

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Observational Constraints on the Degenerate Mass-Radius Relation, J. B. Holberg, Terry D. Oswalt, and M. A. Barstow

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Detecting Ionospheric TEC Perturbations Caused by Natural Hazards Using a Global Network of GPS Receivers: The Tohoku Case Study, A. Komjathy, D. A. Galvan, P. Stephens, M. D. Butala, V. Akopian, B. Wilson, O. Verkhoglyadova, A. J. Mannucci, and M. Hickey

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Spectral Engineering of Optical Fiber Preforms Through Active Nanoparticle Doping, T. Lindstrom, E. Garber, D. Edmonson, T. Hawkins, Y. Chen, G. Turri, M. Bass, and J. Ballato

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Sodium Atoms in the Lunar Exotail: Observed Velocity and Spatial Distributions, Michael R. Line, E. J. Mierkiewicz, R. J. Oliversen, J. K. Wilson, L. M. Haffner, and F. L. Roesler

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Observed Seasonal Variations in Exospheric Effective Temperatures, E. J. Mierkiewicz, F. L. Roesler, and S. M. Nossal

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Observed and Modeled Solar Cycle Variation in Geocoronal Hydrogen Using NRLMSISE-00 Thermosphere Conditions and the Bishop Analytic Exosphere Model, S. M. Nossal, E. J. Mierkiewicz, and F. L. Roesler

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Book Review: Astronomy at the Frontiers of Science, T. D. Oswalt

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Book Review: New Eyes on the Universe: Twelve Cosmic Mysteries and the Tools We Need to Solve Them, T. D. Oswalt

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Book Review: The International Atlas of Mars Exploration: The First Five Decades: v.1: 1953 to 2003, T. D. Oswalt

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Thrust Vector Control of an Upper-Stage Rocket with Multiple Propellant Slosh Modes, Mahmut Reyhanoglu and Jaime Rubio Hervas

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Contamination Effects on Fixed-Bias Langmuir Probes, C.T. Steigies and Aroh Barjatya

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Florida Energy Assurance Plan, Niescja E. Turner, William Murtagh, Kevin Guthrie, Katariina Nykyri, William A. Radasky, and Eric Senkowicz

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An Intense Traveling Airglow Front in the Upper Mesosphere–lower Thermosphere with Characteristics of a Bore Observed over Alice Springs, Australia, during a Strong 2 Day Wave Episode, R. L. Walterscheid, J. H. Hecht, L. J. Galinas, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D., and I. M. Reid

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Ionospheric Plasma Transport and Loss in Auroral Downward Current Regions, M. Zettergren and J. L. Semeter

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The Initial–Final Mass Relation Among White Dwarfs in Wide Binaries, J. K. Zhao, T. D. Oswalt, L. A. Willson, Q. Wang, and G. Zhao

Submissions from 2011

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3-D Mesoscale MHD Simulations of a Cusp-Like Magnetic Configuration: Method and First Results, E. Adamson, A. Otto, and K. Nykyri

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Particle‐in‐Cell Simulation of Incoherent Scatter Radar Spectral Distortions Related to Beam‐Plasma Interactions in the Auroral Ionosphere, M. A. Diaz, M. Oppenheim, J. L. Semeter, and M. Zettergren

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The 2009 Samoa and 2010 Chile Tsunamis as Observed in the Ionosphere using GPS Total Electron Content, David A. Galvan, Attila Komjathy, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D., and Anthony J. Mannucci

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Gravity Wave Heating and Cooling of the Thermosphere: Sensible Heat Flux and Viscous Flux of Kinetic Energy, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D., R. L. Walterscheid, and G. Schubert

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The 25 Parsec Local White Dwarf Population, Jerry B. Holberg, Terry D. Oswalt, Edward M. Sion, and George P. McCook

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The White Dwarf Age of NFC 2477, Elizabeth J. Jeffery, Ted von Hippel, and et al.

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Orbital Separation Amplification in Fragile Binaries with Evolved Components, K. B. Johnston and Terry D. Oswalt

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Cluster Observations of a Cusp Diamagnetic Cavity: Structure, Size, and Dynamics, K. Nykyri, A. Otto, E. Adamson, E. Dougal, and J. Mumme

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On the Origin of Fluctuations in the Cusp Diamagnetic Cavity, K. Nykyri, A. Otto, E. Adamson, and A. Tjulin

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Book Review: Exploring Mars: Chronicles from a Decade of Discovery, T. D. Oswalt

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Book Review: The Cambridge Atlas of Herschel Objects, T. D. Oswalt

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Modeling and Control of Space Vehicles with Fuel Slosh Dynamics, Mahmut Reyhanoglu

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Cluster Observations of Bow Shock Energetic Ion Transport Through the Magnetosheath into the Cusp, K. J. Trattner, S. M. Petrinec, S. A. Fuselier, K. Nykyri, and E. Kronberg

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Group Velocity and Energy Flux in the Thermosphere: Limits on the Validity of Group Velocity in a Viscous Atmosphere, R. L. Walterscheid and Michael P. Hickey Ph.D.

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Incoherent Scatter Radar Estimation of F Region Ionospheric Composition During Frictional Heating Events, M. Zettergren, J. L. Semeter, C. Heinselman, and M. Diaz

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The Chromospheric Activity, Age, Metallicity, and Space Motions of 36 Wide Binaries, J. K. Zhao, T. D. Oswalt, M. Rudkin, G. Zhao, and Y. Q. Chen

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The Chromospheric Activity, Age, Metallicty and Space Motions of 36 Wide Binaries, J. K. Zhao, Terry D. Oswalt, M. Rudkin, G. Zhao, and Y. Q. Chen

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Fragile Binary Candidates in the SDSS DR8 Spectroscopic Archive, J. K. Zhao, Terry D. Oswalt, and G. Zhao

Submissions from 2010

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A Comprehensive Rocket and Radar Study of Midlatitude Spread F, G.D. Earle, P. Bhanja, P.A. Roddy, C.M. Swenson, Aroh Barjatya, and et al.

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Atmospheric Airglow Fluctuations due to a Tsunami‐driven Gravity Wave Disturbance, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D., G. Schubert, and R. L. Walterscheid

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A Detailed Model Atmosphere Analysis of Cool White Dwarfs in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, Mukremin Kilic, Ted von Hippel, and et al.

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Visitors from the Halo: 11 Gyr Old White Dwarfs in the Solar Neighborhood, Mukremin Kilic, Ted von Hippel, and et al.

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Book Review: Stars Above, Earth Below: A Guide to Astronomy in the National Parks, T. D. Oswalt

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Stability of Fully Nonlinear Stokes Waves on Deep Water: Part 1. Perturbation Theory, Shahrdad Sajjadi and David L. Ross

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OH and OI Airglow Layer Modulation by Ducted Short-Period Gravity Waves: Effects of Trapping Altitude, Jonathan B. Snively, Victor P. Pasko, and Michael J. Taylor

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Pulsational Mapping of Calcium Across the Surface of a White Dwarf, Susan E. Thompson, Ted von Hippel, and et al.

Submissions from 2009

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Invited Article: Data Analysis of the Floating Potential Measurement Unit Aboard the International Space Station, Aroh Barjatya, Charles M. Swenson, Donald C. Thompson, and Kenneth H. Wright

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Multisite Photometry of the Pulsating Herbig Ae Star v346 Ori, S. Bernabei, Terry D. Oswalt, V. Ripepi, A. Ruoppo, and Et al.

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Inverting Color–Magnitude Diagrams to Access Precise Star Cluster Parameters: A New White Dwarf Age for the Hyades, Steven DeGennaro, Ted von Hippel, and et al.