Nielsen Spaces
Nielsen Spaces
Nielsen: Our Home Sweet Home on Rocky Top
From top to bottom, rooftop to planetarium, the Nielsen Physics Building is the hub for the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Though we work across UT’s extended campus, Nielsen is home to our administrative offices, teaching labs, and classrooms. It’s also where we welcome the public, give our students extra academic support, and gather for both scientific collaboration and good company.
The Nielsen Rooftop
With 18 telescopes on Nielsen’s rooftop, our astronomy students have a great view for nighttime and solar labs, as well as extra credit sessions. Our long-standing astronomy outreach program opens the roof to the public on the first and third Friday nights of every month (weather permitting) and for special events like eclipse viewings.
Bains Commons, Nielsen 605
Elizabeth M. Bains (’68, ’72) and James A. Bains, Jr. (’74) met in the physics graduate program at UT. Liz went on to a distinguished career at NASA, contributing to astronaut training programs and the assembly of the International Space Station. Jim used his considerable electronics expertise to design equipment for the oil industry. Both were known for their friendly and helpful nature as well as their technical gifts. With support from their bequest to the department, the Elizabeth and James Bains Commons opened in the fall of 2025 and provides physics faculty, students, and staff with a space for creative and team-focused problem solving. This room has quickly become a popular spot for dissertation defenses, research group meetings, and other collaboration and presentation events.
Tutorial Center, Nielsen 512
Physics can be a daunting subject, but no one has to navigate it alone! During the fall and spring semesters physics graduate and undergraduate majors staff our tutorial center Monday through Friday to assist students who would like a little extra help.
The Spacebar, Nielsen 201
When students need a place to study, work through homework problems, hold student organization meetings, or just hang out, they head to the Spacebar. An all-purpose gathering spot for everyone, it’s also where the department holds get-togethers honoring promoted faculty, presents panel discussions on physics careers, and hosts old-fashioned potlucks.
Planetarium, Nielsen 108
Our 32-seat planetarium on the mezzanine brings the sky indoors for UT students as well as alumni, scouts, homeschoolers, church groups, or any group looking for an hour or so under the stars, rain or shine. Paul Lewis directs our astronomy outreach programming and hosts public planetarium shows like The Incredible Sun and Phantom of the Universe: The Hunt for Dark Matter.
Come See Us!
If you’re a prospective undergraduate and would like visit, contact Cheryl Huskey.
If you’re a prospective graduate student and would like to visit, contact Yvonne Reall.
If you’d like to schedule a planetarium show for your group, contact Paul Lewis.