Scholars@Duke
Daniel M. Scolnic

Daniel M. Scolnic

Associate Professor of Physics
Physics
daniel.scolnic@duke.edu
120 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27710
120 Science Drive, Box 90305, Durham, NC 27708

Overview

Use observational tools to measure the expansion history of the universe.  Trying to answer big questions like 'what is dark energy?'.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Associate Professor of Physics · 2023 - Present Physics, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering · 2025 - Present Pierre R. Lamond Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering

In the News

Published March 10, 2026
Scholars Square Off in Duke’s First Latke vs. Hamentasch Debate
Published October 13, 2025
Intersecting Perspectives
Published September 26, 2025
Duke Alumna Selected To Be in the 24th NASA Astronaut Class

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Recent Publications

Assessing the Vera Rubin Observatory’s Ability to Discover Asteroid Impactors before They Collide with Earth

Journal Article The Astronomical Journal · May 1, 2026 Abstract Asteroid impactors larger than ∼10 m, from Chelyabinsk-scale to >300 m continental threats, remain the dominant planetary-defense risk. While the Vera C. Rubin Observatory ... Full text Cite

NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory Observations of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS (C/2025 N1)

Journal Article The Astrophysical Journal Letters · April 20, 2026 Abstract We report on the observation and measurement of astrometry, photometry, morphology, and activity of the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, also designated C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) with th ... Full text Cite

The Dark Energy Survey Supernova Program: A Reanalysis Of Cosmology Results And Evidence For Evolving Dark Energy With An Updated Type Ia Supernova Calibration

Journal Article Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society · April 14, 2026 AbstractWe present improved cosmological constraints from a re-analysis of the Dark Energy Survey (DES) 5-year sample of Type Ia supernovae (DES-SN5YR). This re-analysis includes an improved photometric c ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants

A Roman Project Infrastructure Team to Support Cosmological Measurements with Type Ia Supernovae

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration · 2023 - 2028

Research in High Energy Physics at Duke University

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by Department of Energy · 2013 - 2028

Big Data and the Biggest Tension in Cosmology

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by David & Lucile Packard Foundation · 2019 - 2027

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Education

Johns Hopkins University · 2013 Ph.D.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · 2007 B.S.

External Links

Google Scholar Duke Cosmology Group Scolnic Wikipedia Entry