not a physics major, but have friends who are. physics has some great resources, such as the Triangle Universities Nuclear Lab and Free Electron Laser Lab (for a list of all the physics facilities, see
Duke Physics) and top-notch research going on (
Duke Physics). I know some faculty deal with astronomy (e.g.,
Duke Physics) but I don't think that is a particular strength of the department. if you want to pursue hardcore research in physics with top-notch facilities come to duke, though.