Astronomy
Exploring the universe and advancing the frontiers of human knowledge.
Exploring the Cosmos
Astronomy at UT houses frontier research in cosmology, galaxy formation and evolution, stellar evolution and star formation, exoplanetary systems, the solar system and instrumentation. It is home to the McDonald Observatory and a major founding partner in the next-generation Giant Magellan Telescope.
Visit the department site
Learn about the McDonald Observatory
Astronomy research is answering the questions of why we’re here and how we’re here. Finding planets thousands of light-years away may never directly impact us, but the machine learning techniques we build to find them will.”
Anne Dattilo
Astronomy and Physics
Experiences & Careers
Astronomy students at UT have access to world-class scientists, supercomputing resources and amazing telescopes, including at the McDonald Observatory in West Texas. Conducting research, studying abroad, traveling to the observatory and doing internships add to the student experience. Many graduates go on to careers in technology, data science, business, education, government, healthcare, research and engineering. Recent grads have jobs like:
- Scientific software developer
- Senior test engineer
- Engineering scientist
- Technical specialist
Explore Stories
Amazing classes and opportunities to do first-hand research about matters no one has ever definitively known before abound at UT Austin. Our students have discovered planets, helped with mapping distant galaxies and learned of the possibilities of life well beyond our solar system.
Study & Learn
Astronomy tells us about the place of humankind in the universe: what led to Earth’s creation, how stars form, how galaxies come to be and evolve. Astronomy’s goal is to determine the basic and controlling properties of the universe and to transmit that knowledge to society. Below are undergraduate degrees and graduate study is also available.
Astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy
Honors
Astronomy: Option 1
Astronomy: Option 2
Honors
Evidence and Inquiry
Robotics Minor
Statistics and Data Science Minor
Astronomy News
New AI Institute Led by UT Researchers Will Accelerate Cosmic Discovery
Stella Offner and Arya Farahi are among the leads of a new multi-institution institute focused on AI and astronomy.
McDonald Observatory
Giant Magellan Telescope Advances to National Science Foundation Final Design Phase
