Solar Physics/Astronomy and Space Physics REU Program
for Summer 2026
PARTICIPANTS
Audrey Hauck, Physics and Astronomy, Texas Christian University
Benjamin Whitney, Applied Math, Montana State University
Braden Carne, Physics, Astronomy, Math, University of Iowa
Ian Horsburgh, Physics, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
John Perricone, Physics, Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Kordero Talachy, Physics, New Mexico State University
Nathaniel Cohen, Astrophysics, California State University Northridge
Ryan Spangler, Physics/Economics, Grinnell College
Ryken Albertson, Physics, Montana State University
Sumner Strom, Math and Physics, St. Olaf College
Research projects and mentors are described
here.
Pre-arrival tasks list is here.
Your arrival schedule and transportation will be described here.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The
Calendar
of Events
includes:
Talks about physics of the Sun and space, your classroom physics in the context of our star.
Talks about ethics in science, skills in scientific and public presentations, and what to expect in grad school.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Default schedule: plan to arrive on May 25, depart on August 1.
By air: work out your detailed itinerary to Bozeman (BZN) airport and its cost,
and send, by email, this information to your program coordinator, who will confirm the itinerary and the
amount we will pay (the least expensive economy/coach round-trip airfare from your home or university to
Bozeman on the default arrival and departure dates). If you have other plans rather than flying a round-trip on default travel dates, you need
to present the default round-trip ticket price and your ticket price, and the program will reimburse you for the lower price of the two
itineraries. You will purchase the ticket only after receiving this
confirmation e-mail from the program coordinator to authorize the reimbursement. The reimbursement will be issued after your arrival at
Bozeman. For reimbursement, upon your arrival, you should provide:
(1) your receipt and itinerary;
(2) the boarding pass;
(3) the receipt of check-in baggage;
By car: if you plan to drive, you will be reimbursed for mileage ($0.725/mile up to 1000 miles, $0.695/mile
thereafter) on the basis of the distance from your home or
university to Bozeman. However, the total reimbursement cannot exceed the price of the round-trip airfare
from your home or university to Bozeman on the default travel dates.
Please send an email to the program coordinator with the distance (print-out of the travel route
from the google map, or the like), who will work with you to confirm the amount of your travel reimbursement.
For reimbursement purpose, upon your arrival, you should provide:
(1) the authorization by the coordinator;
(2) a receipt from a gas station along the route as proof of travel.
RESIDENCE HALL INFORMATION
You will, together with all students attending the summer program,
be lodged in Johnstone Residence Hall ,
which is the MSU student dormitory. You will have a single occupancy room, fully furnished.
Linens will be available for each guest at the residence hall front desk (two sheets, pillowcase, and towels).
Room linens will not be placed in guest room prior to arrival. Bed linens and towels can be
changed by guests by bringing used linens to the front desk in exchange for clean ones. Each guest
room will be stocked with a blanket and pillow prior to arrival.
Johnstone has shared laundry and kitchen facilities. Housing, parking, and internet connection fees
are paid by the REU program.
The Barnard Hall of MSU, where Physics Department is housed, the local grocery store Town & Country, and
several popular eateries, the Colombo's and the Pickle Barrel, are all within walking distance
from the residence hall.
STIPEND
The stipend for the 10-week program is $7000 plus 100 meals
in the MSU dinning hall. Partial payments of the stipend will be
distributed through the 10-week program.
The balance will be mailed after the MSU residence hall staff confirms
that there are no charges for damage, cleaning, etc, and the MSU
library
staff confirms that all library materials have been returned.
The meal allowance will be credited to your MSU ID card (called a Cat Card). This card,
funded by the REU program, can be used at the cafeteria in the Strand
Union Building and dinining halls .
Information of the meal schedule, menu, and meal plans in the dining hall is available
here.
Information about the taxability of the stipend is
here .
MEDICAL INSURANCE
You are advised to carry medical insurance. MSU does not provide
health and accident insurance for REU program participants. You
are financially responsible for any medical bills incurred as a
result of emergency or other medical treatment. You must notify the
REU program coordinator in writing if you have medical conditions
about which emergency medical personnel should be informed.
CONSENT FORMS
Consent
forms serve several purposes. If medical treatment is needed
because of injury or illness during the REU program, every effort
will be made to comply with the information that you provide.
We need your consent to obtain emergency treatment on your behalf,
and need documentation of your insurance coverage (a copy of your
insurance card) for that purpose. Also, during the REU program
photographs and videotape footage may be obtained to document the
program's activities. Your consent is needed for this purpose.
RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
The REU program provides participants with access,
through their Cat Card, to facilities such as those of Intramurals and Recreation
and Outdoor Recreation .
ODDS
& ENDS
MSU
information
Bozeman
information
Outside
Bozeman
Montana
information
Contact Information