Astronomy

University of California, Berkeley

Overview

The Department of Astronomy offers undergraduate and graduate instruction in a wide variety of fields, including theoretical and observational astrophysics; infrared, optical, and radio astronomy; galactic structure and dynamics of stellar systems; high-energy astrophysics and cosmology; and star and planet formation. A considerable amount of research and teaching related to astronomy is done in other units at UC Berkeley, including the Physics Department, Earth and Planetary Science, Space Science Laboratory, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Various professors in the Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, and Engineering departments have an active interest in astronomy and are available for consultation.

Facilities

Many instruments are available to students and staff, including two 10-meter telescopes at the Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea in Hawaii; 30-inch, 40-inch and 120-inch telescopes at Lick Observatory; the PAPER Array in South Africa; and a 30-inch telescope at Leuschner Observatory (near the campus). Laboratories are available for the development of radio, infrared, and optical instruments, and for the precise measurement of images and spectra. For further information regarding these resources, see the Facilities page on the department's website.

Physics-Astronomy Library

The Physics-Astronomy Library is located in 351 Physics North. The Physics-Astronomy Library has approximately 95,000 volumes available (on campus and at the NRLF) and 700 journal subscriptions.

Organized Research Units

The Radio Astronomy Lab is involved with many instruments and projects including PAPER and HERA.

The Theoretical Astrophysics Center includes faculty, research scientists, postdoctoral researchers, and students working on a wide variety of problems in theoretical astrophysics.

The Center for Integrative Planetary Science is involved in many research projects including the ongoing Extrasolar Planet Search, astrobiology, and research into planetary composition and formation.

Undergraduate Programs

Astrophysics: BA, Minor

Graduate Program

Astrophysics: PhD

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Courses

Astronomy

Contact Information

Department of Astronomy

501 Campbell Hall

Phone: 510-642-5275

Fax: 510-642-3411

Visit Department Website

Department Chair

Joshua Bloom

501 Campbell Hall

joshbloom@berkeley.edu

Undergraduate Affairs Officer

Brianna Franklin

501 Campbell Hall

bfranklin@berkeley.edu

Department Manager

Maria Kies

501 Campbell Hall

Phone: 510-643-5040

emkies@berkeley.edu

Academic Affairs Analyst & Graduate Student Affairs Adviser

Yasasha Ridel

yasasha@berkeley.edu

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