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