Astrophysics and Plasma Physics 

Cornell’s research programs in planetary astronomy, infrared astronomy, theoretical astrophysics, and radio astronomy are internationally recognized. Studies involving radar and radio astronomy are conducted at the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center at Arecibo, Puerto Rico, which is operated by Cornell for the National Science Foundation. Through a cooperative agreement with the California Institute of Technology, Cornell astronomers use the Palomar two hundred-inch telescope for optical and infrared studies on ninety nights each year. Other observational programs use planetary spacecraft, telescopes mounted in aircraft and satellites, and a wide variety of other ground-based instruments. Many of these studies use instrumentation designed and built at Cornell. Theoretical studies include the investigation of planetary atmospheres, numerical models of high-energy objects such as quasars and pulsars, and the evolution of galaxies and dense star clusters under the influence of general relativity. 

Plasma physics is the science of electrically conducting fluids and high-temperature ionized gases. While the best-known research impetus is controlled fusion as a potential source of electric power, plasma physics also underlies many solar, astrophysical, and ionospheric phenomena as well as industrial applications of plasmas. 

Research in this area is carried out at Cornell's Laboratory of Plasma Studies, an interdepartmental organization for experimental and theoretical studies of plasma science. The laboratory consists of approximately eight faculty, six staff research scientists, and a dozen Ph.D. students. A specialty of the lab is the physics and technology of high-power electron and ion beams and their applications. Scientists use state-of-the-art pulsed power accelerators to produce and study electron and ion beams for applications in fusion research, advanced accelerator concepts, and the generation of high-power microwave radiation. A second specialty is the use of sounding rockets and radar to probe Earth’s upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and magnetosphere.

The Department of Energy has recently established at Cornell the Center for the Study of Pulsed-Power-Driven High Energy Density Plasmas.  This is an international user facility involving graduate students, scientists, and faculty for research on pulsed power driven, high energy density plasma science with relevance to inertial fusion, extreme equation of state studies, pulsed high pressure effects, and computational and laboratory simulations of astrophysical phenomena.