Robert Scherrer
The most popular research stories of 2015
Dec. 28, 2015—With discoveries ranging from the origins of consciousness to the end of the universe, 2015 was a year of incredibly diverse research at Vanderbilt University.
New model of cosmic stickiness favors “Big Rip” demise of universe
Jun. 30, 2015—A Vanderbilt team of scientists have developed a new formulation for cosmic viscosity which strongly favors the "Big Rip" end of the universe.
The Conversation: Robert Scherrer on dark energy
Apr. 24, 2015—Explainer: the mysterious dark energy that speeds the universe’s rate of expansion
Scherrer’s new blog explores the science in science fiction
Apr. 24, 2015—In his new blog “Cosmic Yarns,” Robert Scherrer, who is both chair of the Astronomy and Physics Department and a published science fiction author, explores the intersection between science and science fiction.
Vanderbilt faculty name their favorite reading this year
Dec. 15, 2014—MyVU asked a handful of Vanderbilt faculty members to name the book that left a lasting impression on them this year. Their diverse recommendations span fiction, nonfiction, history, thriller, biography, memoir and more.
Stimulate your brain with Vanderbilt Osher winter classes
Dec. 5, 2014—Sign up now for Vanderbilt's Osher Lifelong Learning winter 2015 non-credit classes, which include contemporary international films, Irish comedy, and relationships between science and science fiction.
A science fiction short story by Bob Scherrer is podcast
Feb. 10, 2014—The UK audio science fiction magazine Starship Sofa has published a podcast of "Descartes' Stepchildren," a short story by Robert Scherrer, professor and chair of the Vanderbilt's department of physics and astronomy.
Top 10 research stories of 2013
Dec. 23, 2013—This year’s most popular research stories plumbed mysteries of the brain, examined complex social phenomena, shed light on dark matter, uncovered a surprising link between our three greatest health threats and more.
New, simple theory may explain mysterious dark matter
Jun. 10, 2013—The reason dark matter, which makes up 85 percent of all the matter in the universe, is invisible could be because it possesses a rare, donut-shaped type of electromagnetism instead of the more exotic forces that have been proposed, according to an analysis of a pair of Vanderbilt theoretical physicists.
Discovery of new sub-atomic particle a major leap forward
Jul. 6, 2012—Vandy physicists working on the Large Hadron Collider respond to the announcement that the collaboration has found a new subatomic particle that may be the long-sought Higgs boson.
Future of the Parable of the Lost Sheep
Mar. 3, 2011—Bob Scherrer is bicultural: Not only is he a practicing theoretical physicist, but the chairman of Vanderbilt’s physics department is also a published author of science fiction. Several years ago we did a story about his split personality. Normally, Scherrer keeps his physics and science fiction efforts separate. So far he has published eight science...