Expanding universe. Expanding mind.

Think outside the world

If you are interested in solving large problems with big ideas, astronomy is your major. In our program, you will expand your mind using tools that can be applied to multiple problems.

Astronomy News

Astronomers Look at Planet Formation

Graduate student Frankie Encalada and Professor Leslie Looney are part of the international team that imaged the circumstellar disks around 19 very young protostars, revealing the beginning of planet formation, and disks that are different and less settled than the older disk systems....

Congratulations Class of 2023!

Congratulations to the Astronomy Class of 2023! May 2023: Anya Abraham, Rithika Baskar, Simon Boyle, Qifeng Cheng, Philip Coady. Itay Gozalzani, Zhongxing Hu, Kitetsu Kaku, Ilia Kiato, Aaron Koller, Tanushree Kumar, Caleb Lair, Jay Mahajan, Lily Mrazek, Alexander Newman, Yunsuk Oh, Michael...

Congratulations to Prof. Gautham Narayan!

Congratulations to Prof. Gautham Narayan for being awarded the Lincoln Excellence for Assistant Professors (LEAP) Award! This is a college award based upon his outstanding contribution to the college’s educational mission including research, teaching, citizenship, and diversity and inclusion.

2023 Summer Camp

The annual Girl's Astronomy Summer Camp returns this year. High school students entering 10th to 12th grades are encouraged to attend. The dates are June 26 and 27. More information, including the link to the application can be found here.

Melanie Archipley at the South Pole

Grad student Melanie Archipley spent several months at the South Pole telescope. Read the article here

Astronomy Events

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Real data, real experiences

The universe provides plenty of room for exploration. Astronomy classes make use of vast, modern datasets to give you hands-on experience with real data.

Undergraduate programs Graduate programs

Help celebrate our centennial by reaching for the stars.

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100 gifts for 100 years

In celebration of the department’s centennial, we’re asking for your help to replenish the department’s annual fund. Our goal is 100 gifts for 100 years.

Celebrate with us Give to astronomy

Introduction to Astronomy

Learn the basic concepts of modern astronomy, from the Solar System to the Big Bang.

ASTR 100

Introduction to Astrophysics

Survey of modern astronomy for students with background in physics.

ASTR 210

The Big Bang, Black Holes, and the End of the Universe

Studies the origin, evolution, and eventual fate of the universe, and the scientific tools used to study these issues.

ASTR 350

Galaxies and the Universe

Explore elementary aspects of physical cosmology, including galaxies in our Local Group, starburst galaxies, and quasars.

ASTR 406

Computing in Astronomy

An introduction to the use of computers in astrophysics research.

ASTR 310

Astronomy picture of the day

Discover the cosmos with NASA.gov. Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

Learn about today's picture