College of Science and Mathematics
Fred Ringwald
Professor
Physics | (559) 278-8426 | Office: J Wing-McL 11 |
Education
B. A. (double), Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University , 1987
Diploma (magna cum laude), DeLand High School, DeLand, Florida, 1976
Courses Taught
PHYS 4C - Light and Modern Physics
PHYS 150 - Astrophysics
PHYS 151 - Observational Astronomy
PHYS 175T - Physical Cosmology and Galaxies ( 2019 Fall)
Professor of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2011 – now.
(Associate Professor, 2005 – 2011; Assistant Professor, 2000 – 2005.)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Faculty Research Mentor for NSF-sponsored Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation
Bridge
To The Doctorate (CSU-LSAMP BD) Research Fellow program (Cohort 16), 2020-2021.
Mentor for NSF-sponsored Cal-Bridge North scholarship program,
"to increase the number of California State University (CSU) students completing their
bachelors
degree and successfully entering a PhD program to study physics, astronomy, or a closely
related
field," 2019 Fall.
Supervised NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) students, 2010 Summer
(at San Diego
State), 1999 Summer (at Florida Tech), and 1995 – 1996 (at Planetary Science Institute).
Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics and Space Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology
,
1998 – 2000. Teaching and research in astronomy and astrophysics.
EXTERNALLY FUNDED GRANTS APPROVED AND FUNDED
“Bow-Shock Nebulae in the WISE Survey,”NASA/California Space Grant Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (F. Ringwald, PI) $1,500 to pay undergraduate Kendall P. Hall, Fall 2013
“Whirling Dervish Dynamos: Magnetic Activity in CV Secondaries,”NASA/Hubble Space Telescope Science Institute program GO-09852 (S. H. Saar, PI) $17,500/1 year, 11/15/03-11/15/04.
“The Origin of Soft X-rays in DQ Herculis,”NASA/Chandra X-ray Observatory program 0200482 (Koji Mukai, NASA, PI) $16,342/1 year, 7/31/2001 – 9/30/2002.
“A Snapshot Survey of Nova Shells,”NASA/Hubble Space Telescope Science Institute program GO-07386
(F. Ringwald, PI) $6,737 transferred to California State University, Fresno.
UNIVERSITY and PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Chair, Faculty Hiring Committee for the Second Director of the Downing Planetarium,
Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2026
Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Mihai Gherase, Department of Physics,
California State University, Fresno, 2024
NASA Peer Review Panel, for the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), Philadelphia, PA,
2023 May
International Committee, College of Science and Mathematics, California State University, Fresno,
2022 - 2026
Chair, Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Ettore Vitali, Department of Physics,
California State University, Fresno, 2020-2022
Chair, Difference in Pay/Sabbatical Review Committee, Department of Physics,
California State University, Fresno, 2019 and 2021
Exceptional Levels of Service to Students Assigned Time Committee, Department of Physics,
California State University, Fresno, 2019
Chair, Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Ettore Vitali, Department of Physics,
California State University, Fresno, 2018-2019
Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Mihai Gherase, Department of Physics,
California State University, Fresno, 2016
Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Yongsheng Gao, Department of Physics,
California State University, Fresno, 2015-2016
Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Daqing Zhang, Department of Physics,
California State University, Fresno, 2015
Chair, Three-Year Review Committee for Lecturers, Department of Physics,
California State University, Fresno, 2014
Committee on Appointments, Retention, Tenure, Promotion, and Leave (ARTPL),
College of Science and Mathematics, California State University, Fresno, 2013 - 2016
Editor, College of Science and Mathematics Newsletter, California State University, Fresno,
2010 – 2011
Acting Chair, Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2008 Summer, 2009 Spring
Departmental Senator for the Department of Physics, Academic Senate,
California State University, Fresno, 2006 – 2009
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Post Doctoral Scholar, The Pennsylvania State University , 1996 – 1998
Postdoctoral Researcher, Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, Arizona, 1995 – 1996
PPARC/SERC Research Fellow in Astrophysics, Keele University, England, 1993 – 1995
Research Assistant, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University, 1987
(Mission planning for the NASA A. H. Compton Gamma Ray Observatory satellite)
OBSERVING EXPERIENCE
Co-Investigator, NASA/Hubble Space Telescope program 9852,
“Whirling Dervish Dynamos: Magnetic Activity in CV Secondaries” (STIS spectroscopy) (Steve Saar, PI)
Principal Investigator, NASA/Hubble Space Telescope program 7386,
“A Snapshot Survey of Nova Shells” (WFPC2 imaging)
Co-Investigator, NASA/Chandra X-ray Observatory program 0200482,
“The Origin of Soft X-rays in DQ Herculis” (ACIS imaging) (Koji Mukai, PI)
Co-Investigator, NASA/Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer program B104,
“Density, Velocity and Ionization Structure in Accretion-disc Winds” (Knox Long, PI)
Visiting Astronomer, Wyoming Infrared Observatory, 2011 June and September
(Cassegrain spectroscopy)
Visiting Astronomer, Mount Laguna Observatory ,
2010 June, 2005 June, 2004 August, July, and June, 2003 June, and 2002 August
(CCD photometry), 2002 July (Cassegrain spectroscopy), 2001 June (photoelectric photometry), 2000 December (infrared array photometry)
Visiting Astronomer, Telescopio Nazionale Galileo, Observatorio del Roque de los
Muchachos, La Palma (Spain), 2006 December (near-infrared spectroscopy)
Visiting Astronomer, Kitt Peak National Observatory ,
2003 September (Cassegrain spectroscopy), 1997 May (WIYN imaging) ,
1993 December and 1991 February (infrared array photometry)
EXTERNALLY FUNDED GRANTS APPROVED AND FUNDED
“Bow-Shock Nebulae in the WISE Survey,”NASA/California Space Grant Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (F. Ringwald, PI) $1,500 to pay undergraduate Kendall P. Hall, Fall 2013
“Whirling Dervish Dynamos: Magnetic Activity in CV Secondaries,”NASA/Hubble Space Telescope Science Institute program GO-09852 (S. H. Saar, PI) $17,500/1 year, 11/15/03-11/15/04.
“The Origin of Soft X-rays in DQ Herculis,”NASA/Chandra X-ray Observatory program 0200482 (Koji Mukai, NASA, PI) $16,342/1 year, 7/31/2001 – 9/30/2002.
“A Snapshot Survey of Nova Shells,”NASA/Hubble Space Telescope Science Institute program GO-07386
(F. Ringwald, PI) $6,737 transferred to California State University, Fresno.
UNIVERSITY and PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Chair, Faculty Hiring Committee for the Second Director of the Downing Planetarium,
Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2026
Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Mihai Gherase, Department of Physics,
California State University, Fresno, 2024
NASA Peer Review Panel, for the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), Philadelphia, PA,
2023 May
International Committee, College of Science and Mathematics, California State University, Fresno,
2022 - 2026
Chair, Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Ettore Vitali, Department of Physics,
California State University, Fresno, 2020-2022
Chair, Difference in Pay/Sabbatical Review Committee, Department of Physics,
California State University, Fresno, 2019 and 2021
Exceptional Levels of Service to Students Assigned Time Committee, Department of Physics,
California State University, Fresno, 2019
Chair, Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Ettore Vitali, Department of Physics,
California State University, Fresno, 2018-2019
Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Mihai Gherase, Department of Physics,
California State University, Fresno, 2016
Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Yongsheng Gao, Department of Physics,
California State University, Fresno, 2015-2016
Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Daqing Zhang, Department of Physics,
California State University, Fresno, 2015
Chair, Three-Year Review Committee for Lecturers, Department of Physics,
California State University, Fresno, 2014
Committee on Appointments, Retention, Tenure, Promotion, and Leave (ARTPL),
College of Science and Mathematics, California State University, Fresno, 2013 - 2016
Editor, College of Science and Mathematics Newsletter, California State University, Fresno,
2010 – 2011
Acting Chair, Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2008 Summer, 2009 Spring
Departmental Senator for the Department of Physics, Academic Senate,
California State University, Fresno, 2006 – 2009
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Post Doctoral Scholar, The Pennsylvania State University , 1996 – 1998
Postdoctoral Researcher, Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, Arizona, 1995 – 1996
PPARC/SERC Research Fellow in Astrophysics, Keele University, England, 1993 – 1995
Research Assistant, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University, 1987
(Mission planning for the NASA A. H. Compton Gamma Ray Observatory satellite)
OBSERVING EXPERIENCE
Co-Investigator, NASA/Hubble Space Telescope program 9852,
“Whirling Dervish Dynamos: Magnetic Activity in CV Secondaries” (STIS spectroscopy) (Steve Saar, PI)
Principal Investigator, NASA/Hubble Space Telescope program 7386,
“A Snapshot Survey of Nova Shells” (WFPC2 imaging)
Co-Investigator, NASA/Chandra X-ray Observatory program 0200482,
“The Origin of Soft X-rays in DQ Herculis” (ACIS imaging) (Koji Mukai, PI)
Co-Investigator, NASA/Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer program B104,
“Density, Velocity and Ionization Structure in Accretion-disc Winds” (Knox Long, PI)
Visiting Astronomer, Wyoming Infrared Observatory, 2011 June and September
(Cassegrain spectroscopy)
Visiting Astronomer, Mount Laguna Observatory ,
2010 June, 2005 June, 2004 August, July, and June, 2003 June, and 2002 August
(CCD photometry), 2002 July (Cassegrain spectroscopy), 2001 June (photoelectric photometry), 2000 December (infrared array photometry)
Visiting Astronomer, Telescopio Nazionale Galileo, Observatorio del Roque de los
Muchachos, La Palma (Spain), 2006 December (near-infrared spectroscopy)
Visiting Astronomer, Kitt Peak National Observatory ,
2003 September (Cassegrain spectroscopy), 1997 May (WIYN imaging) ,
1993 December and 1991 February (infrared array photometry)
12. Ringwald, F., Uribes, T., & Raley, J. 2014, released July 9 by University Communications, California State University, Fresno, “University observatory accepted into cutting-edge LIGO program”
11. Fine, A. & Ringwald, F. 2008, released November 3 by University Communications, California State
17 University, Fresno, “Remote observatory seeks planets to discover”
10. Uribes, T. & Ringwald, F. 2006, released November 7 by University Relations, California State University, Fresno, “Rare Mercury transit across Sun Nov. 8 can be viewed safely at Fresno State's Downing Planetarium”
9. Chanthaphouvong, D. & Ringwald, F. 2007, released June 18 by University Relations, California State University, Fresno, “Solstice—Fresno State physics, geography experts available”
8. Uribes, T. & Ringwald, F. 2006, released September 21 by University Relations, California State University, Fresno, “New summer red wine to be released at Fresno State Farm Market’s Summer Solstice Celebration June 21”
7. Ringwald, F. & Armbruster, S. M. 2005, released September 28 by University Relations, California State University, Fresno, “Exoplanet Transit Observing at Fresno State's Campus Observatory”
6. Ringwald, F., Padda, R., Mocciaro, J., & Uribes, T. 2003, released November 5 by University Relations, California State University, Fresno, “Fresno State Physics Students Participating in Ringwald’s NASA Hubble Space Telescope Project November 3-9 ”
5. Ringwald, F. & Uribes, T. 2003, released August 26 by University Relations, California State University,
Fresno, “Fresno State Physics Profs At Forefront Of Astronomy; Mars Viewing Good Through September ”
4. Ringwald, F. & Uribes, T. 2003, released August 8 by University Relations, California State University, Fresno, “MARS!! Faculty Experts Available; Planetarium Offers Shows, Viewing of Red Planet ”
3. Ringwald, F. & Uribes, T. 2003, released July 11 by University Relations, California State University, Fresno, “Physics Prof Says Meteor Video Footage Is Rare”
2. Ringwald, F. & Uribes, T. 2001, released November 12 by University Relations, California State University, Fresno, “Physics Prof Offers Viewing Tips on Leonid Meteors Due November 17 and 18”
1. Ringwald, F. 1998, released June 10 at the 192nd meeting of the American Astronomical Society, San Diego, “Hubble Space Telescope Sees Expanding Nova Shells”
POPULAR ARTICLES
30. Ringwald, F. A. 2022, Sky & Telescope, 144, No. 2, 6 (August 2022 issue), “Comet IRAS-Araki-Alcock”
29. Ringwald, F. A. 2022, The Observer, 70, No. 3, 4 (May-June 2022 issue), “The May 15 Lunar Eclipse”
28. Ringwald, F. A. 2017, The Observer, 65, No. 5, 1 and 11 (Fall 2017 issue), front-page image and report from Metolius, Oregon in “The Great American Eclipse August 21, 2017” by Larry Parmeter
27. Ringwald, F. A. 2015, The Observer, 63, No. 6, 5 (November/December issue), a sequence of lunar eclipse images in “Images of the Lunar Eclipse on September 27-by CVA members” by Larry Parmeter
26. Ringwald, F. A. 2012, The Observer, 60, No. 5, 8-9 (July/August issue), four images in
“The Solar-Lunar-Venus Spectacle of 2012” by Larry Parmeter
25. Ringwald, F. A. 2009, review invited by the American Association of Variable Star Observers, “Why Observe Z Cam stars? (2009 edition)”
REFEREED PUBLICATIONS, with student authors underlined
Key:
A&A = Astronomy and Astrophysics
AJ = the Astronomical Journal
ApJ = the Astrophysical Journal
JBAA = Journal of the British Astronomical Association
MNRAS = Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
PASJ = Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan
PASP = Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
RNAAS = Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society
52. Corral-Santana, J.M., Rodriguez-Gil, P., Torres, M.A.P., Casares, J., Jonker, P.G.,
Perdomo Garcia, A., Trelawny, D.T., Carballo-Bello, J.A., Charles, P.A., Mata Sanchez, D.,
Munoz-Darias, T., Ringwald, F.A., Martinez-Pais, I.G., Corradi, R.L.M., Saikia, P., Russell, D.M.
2025, A&A, 702, A225 (13 pp.),
“Characterising the short-orbital period X-ray transient Swift J1910.2-0546”
51. Ringwald, F. A., Rude, G. D. II, Roveto, J. J., Khamvongsa, K. S. 2012, New Astronomy, 17, 570, “The Photometric Period and Variability of the Cataclysmic Variable V849 Herculis (PG 1633+115)”
50. Rude, G. D. II & Ringwald, F. A. 2012, New Astronomy, 17, 533,“A Search for Superhumps in the Cataclysmic Variable SW Sextantis”
49. Rude, G. D. II & Ringwald, F. A. 2012, New Astronomy, 17, 453,“The Photometric Periods of the Nova-Like Cataclysmic Variable LQ Pegasi (PG 2133+115)”
48. Rude, G. D. II & Ringwald, F. A. 2012, New Astronomy, 17, 442,
“The Photometric Period of the Cataclysmic Variable HV Andromedae”
47. Ringwald, F. A., Velasco, K., Roveto, J. J., & Meyers, M. E. 2012, New Astronomy, 17, 433,
“The Orbital Period and Negative Superhumps of the Nova-Like Cataclysmic Variable V378 Pegasi”
46. Gariety, M. J. & Ringwald, F. A. 2012, New Astronomy, 17, 154, “A Critical Analysis of Three Near-Infrared Photometric Methods of Estimating Distances to Cataclysmic Variables”
45. Ringwald, F. A. & Velasco, K. 2012, New Astronomy, 17, 108, “The Orbital Period and Variability of the Dwarf Nova ES Draconis”
44. Shears, J., Campbell, T.,Foote, J., Garrett, R., Hager, T., Julian, W. M., Kemp, J., Masi, G., Miller, I., Patterson, J., Richmond, M., Ringwald, F., Roberts, G., Ruiz, J., Sabo, R., & Stein, W. 2011, JBAA, 121, 96, “The Orbital and Superhump Periods of the Deeply Eclipsing Dwarf Nova
SDSS J150240.98+333423.9”
43. Kato T., Maehara H., Uemura M., Henden A., de Miguel E., Miller I., Dubovsky P. A., Kudzej I., Kiyota S., Hambsch F.-J., Tanabe K., Imamura K., Kunitomi N., Takagi R., Nose M., Akazawa H., Masi G., Nakagawa S., Iino E., Noguchi R., Matsumoto K., Fujii D., Kobayashi H., Ogura K., Ohtomo S., Yamashita K., Yanagisawa H., Itoh H., Bolt G., Monard B., Ohshima T., Shears, J., Ruiz, J., Imada A., Oksanen A., Nelson P., Gomez T. L., Staels B., Boyd D., Voloshina I. B., Krajci T., Crawford T., Stockdale C., Richmond M., Morelle E., Novak R., Nogami D., Ishioka R., Brady S., Simonsen M., Pavlenko E. P., Ringwald, F. A., Kuramoto T., Miyashita A., Pickard R. D., Hynek T., Dvorak S., Stubbings R., & Muyllaert E. 2010, PASJ, 62, 1525, “Survey of Period Variations of Superhumps in SU UMa-Type Dwarf Novae. II: The Second Year (2009-2010)”
42. Ringwald, F. 2009, Astronomy Education Review, 8 (1), 010602-1, “A Mindset List for College Astronomy Instructors”
41. Reimer, T. W., Welsh, W. F., Mukai, K., & Ringwald, F. A. 2008, ApJ, 678, 376, “The Intermediate Polar EI UMa: A Pre-Polar Cataclysmic Variable”
40. Shankland, P. D., Rivera, E. J., Laughlin, G., Blank, D. L., Price, A., Gary, B., Bissinger, R., Ringwald, F. A., White, G., Henry, G. W., McGee, P., Wolf, A. S., Carter, B., Lee, S., Biggs, J., Monard, B., & Ashley, M. C. B. 2006, ApJ, 653, 700,“On the Search for Transits of the Planets Orbiting Gl 876”
39. Ringwald, F. A., Chase, D. W., & Reynolds, D. S. 2005, PASP, 117, 1238, “Time-Resolved Spectroscopy and Photometry of CT Serpentis and V825 Herculis”
38. Morgan, G. E., Ringwald, F. A., Buil, C., & Garrett, M. 2005, PASP, 117, 938,“Spectra and Light Curve Analysis of Nova V475 Scuti”
37. Mukai, K., Still, M., & Ringwald, F. A. 2003, ApJ, 594, 428, “The Origin of Soft X-rays in DQ Herculis”
36. Morgan, G. E., Ringwald, F. A., & Prigge, J. W. 2003, MNRAS, 344, 521, “Early Post-Maximum Spectral Evolution of the Fast novae V4742 Sagittarii and V4743 Sagittarii”
35. Ringwald, F. A., Culver, J. M., Lovell, R. L., Kays, S. A., & Torres, Y. V. 2003, BAAS, 35, no. 4, 1063, “The Research Productivity of Small Telescopes and Space Telescopes”
34. Prinja, R. K., Long, K. S., Froning, C. S., Knigge, C., Witherick, D. K., Clark, J. S., & Ringwald, F. A. 2003, MNRAS, 340, 551, “FUSE and HST Ultraviolet Observations of the Disc Wind of RW
11 Sextantis”
33. Evans, A., Yudin, R. V., Naylor, T., Ringwald, F. A., & Koch-Miramond, L. 2002, A&A, 384, 504, “Broadband polarimetry of novae in outburst”
32. Prinja, R. K., Knigge, C., Ringwald, F. A., & Wade, R. A. 2000, MNRAS, 318, 368, “Episodic absorption in the outflow of the old nova V603 Aquilae”
31. Prinja, R. K., Ringwald, F. A., Wade, R. A., & Knigge, C. 2000, MNRAS, 312, 316, “HST ultraviolet observations of rapid variability in the accretion-disc wind of BZ Cam”
30. Shahbaz, T., Hauschildt, P. H., Naylor, T., Ringwald, F. 1999, MNRAS, 306, 675, “On the abundance of lithium in T Coronae Borealis”
29. Unger, S. J., Roche, P., Negueruela, I., Ringwald, F. A., Lloyd, C., & Coe, M. J. 1998, A&A, 336, 960, “Optical Spectroscopy of V635 Cassiopeiae/4U 0115+63”
28. Ringwald, F. A., Rolleston, W. R. J., Saffer, R. A., & Thorstensen, J. R. 1998, ApJ, 497, 717, “PG 1002+506: a Be Star Apparently at Z > +10 kpc”
27. Ringwald, F. A., & Naylor, T. 1998, AJ, 115, 286, “High-Speed Spectroscopy of a Cataclysmic Variable Wind: BZ Camelopardalis”
26. Ringwald, F. A. & Naylor, T. 1997, A&A, 326, 629, “The Status of Nova Orionis 1667”
25. Thorstensen, J. R. & Ringwald, F. A. 1997, PASP, 109, 483, “A Spectroscopic Study of the Dwarf Nova KT Persei”
24. Somers, M. W., Ringwald, F. A., & Naylor, T. 1997, MNRAS, 284, 359, “Detection of the Irradiated Red Dwarf in WY Sagittae (Nova 1783)”
23. Naylor, T., Koch-Miramond, L., Ringwald, F. A., & Evans, A. 1996, MNRAS, 282, 873, “The Linear Polarization of Non-Magnetic Cataclysmic Variables”
22. Ringwald, F. A., Naylor, T., & Mukai, K. 1996, MNRAS, 281, 192, “The Optical Spectra of Old Novae”
21. Patterson, J., Patino, R., Thorstensen, J. R., Harvey, D., Skillman, D. R., & Ringwald, F. A. 1996, AJ, 111, 2422, “Periods and Quasiperiods in the Cataclysmic Variable BZ Camelopardalis”
20. Ringwald, F. A., Thorstensen, J. R., Honeycutt, R. K., & Smith, R. C. 1996, AJ, 111, 2077, “The Orbital Period and Variability of the Dwarf Nova WW Ceti”