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 spectroscopy. A considerable amount of research and teaching related to astronomy is done in other units at Berkeley, including the Space Science Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, and the Physics Department. Various professors in the Chemistry, Earth and Planetary Science, Mathematics, Statistics, and Engineering departments have an active interest in astronomy and are available for consultation.

Slideshow

  • Image of Campbell Hall, home of the Department of Astronomy:

    Campbell Hall, home of the Department of Astronomy

    This new state-of-the-art facility houses our faculty, members, and our in-house research units, resources, and labs.

  • Image of Astronomy Night: A New Stargazing and Lecture Event!:

    Astronomy Night: A New Stargazing and Lecture Event!

    On the first Thursday of the month come join our department for a lecture and guided stargazing! Visit our events page for full details.

  • Image of Remain Fashionable Anywhere in the Universe:

    Remain Fashionable Anywhere in the Universe

    Check out department merch under our Friends and Fans section!

  • Image of Help Restore Leuschner Observatory!:

    Help Restore Leuschner Observatory!

    Read about the efforts to restore Leuschner Observatory in Department News (Photos Cathy Dausman)

  • Image of Campbell Hall Rooftop Dome Observatory:

    Campbell Hall Rooftop Dome Observatory

    The Rooftop Dome Observatory, featuring the Richard Treffers Telescope, is just one of many department research and observing resources. Photo by Michael O'Callahan Photography.

Prospective Students

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Why Berkeley Astronomy

Find out how UC Berkeley Astronomy can assist in your journey for higher education. More

News from the Nebula

Image for UC Berkeley graduate student awarded Department of Energy fellowship

UC Berkeley graduate student awarded Department of Energy fellowship

James Sullivan, a doctoral candidate at the University of California, Berkeley, has been awarded a Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE CSGF) to support his research into Astrophysics. Sullivan, from McLean, VA, has bachelor’s degrees in Astronomy, Mathematics, and Physics from the University of Texas at Austin. Fewer than 6 percent of applicants are chosen for the fellowship each year. More

Friends and Fans

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Get Involved With Astronomy!

Find ways to support and join in on department fun. More