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The department places strong emphasis on the participation of students in ongoing research projects and strives to foster an interdisciplinary approach to solving astronomical problems by maintaining strong ties with other departments. Many undergraduate and graduate alumni of Cornell astronomy have become leaders in the field.
There are numerous ways to support our department. Click here to learn more about Friends of Astronomy, a group of Cornell Astronomy alumni and friends who work to encourage significant interaction between the department and our friends in the wider world.
If you're interesting in giving a gift to support our students, research or outreach efforts, please explore the donation links below:
Cornell University’s Astronomical Society draws visitors to weekly Fuertes Observatory open houses for public stargazing and astronomy education. Students operate historic telescopes, share night-sky views and host community events that showcase astronomy research and history.
Researchers from Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences used a new JWST transit-mapping technique to reveal WASP-17b’s slightly egg-shaped atmosphere and confirm predicted temperature patterns. The breakthrough creates a detailed 3D exoplanet atmosphere map and advances future studies of alien weather and climate.
Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope nears first observations as Cornell University scientists prepare groundbreaking surveys of the early universe, galaxy formation and dark matter. Prime-Cam, the largest submillimeter instrument ever built, will enable high-sensitivity studies of cosmic microwave background radiation, star formation and the Milky Way.
Cornell’s Spacecraft Planetary Image Facility recovered and is restoring lost MoonKAM lunar images requested by thousands of middle school students during NASA’s GRAIL mission. The Cornell University image library also trains researchers in planetary data analysis and preserves access to decades of spacecraft imagery.
Twenty new faculty have joined the College of Arts & Sciences this year, strengthening departments and programs with their wide-ranging expertise and filling numerous leadership roles for the College and university.
Cornell College of Arts & Sciences physicist and astronomer David Kornreich, Ph.D. ’01, died Aug. 30 in a plane crash near Ithaca while piloting his aircraft. He was researcher and science communicator known for galaxy studies and astronomy outreach.