News | Department of Astronomy

Friends of Astronomy Symposium, Sept. 17th, 2026

We are hosting a special symposium on September 17th 2026, celebrating both scientific discovery at Cornell and the partnerships that make our work possible!

Passing of Professor James Lloyd

It is with a heavy heart that we share that Professor James Lloyd passed away on July 15, 2026. In his 22 years with Cornell Jamie inspired students, colleagues, friends, and family around the world. Deep condolences go out to his family. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Passing of David L. Pawelczyk Jr.

It is with profound sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of David L. Pawelczyk Jr., 51, who passed away Wednesday, surrounded by his devoted family. Dave's high energy, unwavering dedication, and infectious passion left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Illustration of two objects in space: a reddish planet and a faintly glowing star

International team sheds light on how planet survived its star’s death

A planet survived its star’s death, James Webb Space Telescope observations reveal, offering clues to Jupiter’s fate after the Sun’s demise. Astronomers from Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences show that WD 1856 b migrated later and has methane-rich atmosphere.

Two people in light colored "clean" suits and gloves, smile while looking into a portal on a machine

Academic ‘boot camp’ helps veterans build college confidence

Cornell College of Arts and Sciences faculty taught astronomy, writing, civics and other subjects to 18 active-duty and veteran service members visiting Cornell through the non-profit Warrior-Scholar project June 20-27.

A Symposium on Planetary Regolith and Aeolian Processes: A tribute to the life and career of Rob Sullivan

Please join us October 12-13, 2026, for a "“Symposium on Planetary Regolith and Aeolian Processes: A tribute to the life and career of Rob Sullivan" at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. The program will include public lectures, keynote speakers, and contributed talks.

Five people lined up for a photo: in the center a college student award recipient holds a plaque

Advocate for physics, literacy wins Campus-Community Leadership Award

For her volunteer outreach encouraging local children to learn about physics and reading, Abra Geiger ’26 has won the 2026 University Relations Campus-Community Leadership Award.

New instrument will map the formation of early galaxies

Researchers in Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences report on the first observations with the Tomographic Ionized-carbon Mapping Experiment (TIME). The instrument uses a technique called line-intensity mapping to explore the early universe.

Next-generation telescope science highlighted at April workshop

Cornell University's Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope (FYST) was formally inaugurated on April 9 in Chile's Atacama Desert, marking a new era in submillimeter astronomy. The CCAT Observatory partnership telescope, led by Cornell, will map galaxy formation, cosmic microwave background radiation, and the epoch of reionization in the submillimeter range faster than any previous instrument.

Large tree with drooping branches and light pink blossoms

Haynes, Levine elected to the American Philosophical Society

Two faculty members in Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences have been named to the American Philosophical Society (APS) in honor of extraordinary accomplishments: Martha Haynes in astronomy and Caroline Levine in literature, humanities and climate change.

person standing outside with spectrograph

New astronomy exhibit showcases early glass slides

A new exhibit at Fuertes Observatory at Cornell University allows visitors to view 800 glass lantern slides uncovered and catalogued by the Cornell Astronomical Society.

Major new telescope on Chilean summit opens window on universe

Cornell University celebrates April 9 inauguration of Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope in Chile. President Michael Kotlikoff marked milestone enabling wide-field submillimeter surveys to study dark energy, early universe conditions, and galaxy evolution.

Admitted Class of 2030 seeks real-world impact

Cornell admits the Class of 2030 emphasizing real-world impact, enrolling 5,776 students from 102 countries. At Cornell University, the diverse cohort reflects the land-grant mission and applied learning goals across multiple colleges.

Artist's rendition of all the planets in the solar system next to each other

Where to find other Earths? New list narrows down the targets

New Cornell research identifies 45 potentially habitable rocky exoplanets using Gaia data and NASA archives, creating a catalog to guide life-search efforts. Authors are an undergraduate, two recent alumni and Lisa Kaltenegger, professor of astronomy and director of the Carl Sagan Institute in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Cornell exoplanet expert discusses where we should look for life

As the film "Project Hail Mary" hits theaters, Cornell College of Arts and Sciences astrophysicist Lisa Kaltenegger, director of the Carl Sagan Institute, explains how real exoplanet research, habitable zones, and nearby star systems inform the film’s search for extraterrestrial life.

Decorative illustration featuring parts of planet Earth, a round red circle, and Saturn, on the black and white textured background

Cornell scientists drive breakthrough astronomy

Since the early days of modern cosmic exploration, Cornell scientists have led the way, from guiding rovers through the red dust of Mars to searching for other life in the universe; and from modeling exotic stars to detecting the faint ripples of gravitational waves.

High school students smiling and looking at an old photo negative.

Spacecraft image center brings the universe to NYS

Cornell’s Spacecraft Planetary Image Facility (SPIF), which manages print and online images taken by NASA missions, supports astronomy research and conducts dozens of outreach events every year.

Robert Sullivan, with short gray hair and a closed-mouth smile, leaning against a ship's rail with the sea and clouds behind him.

Planetary scientist Robert Sullivan dies at 63

Robert John Sullivan, Jr., one of the world’s foremost authorities on aeolian processes -- how wind can carve and change a landscape -- died Feb. 15 in Ithaca.

Anna Ho sitting at desk, pointing at computer screen with image of star exploding

Astronomer Anna Ho named Cottrell Scholar 

Ho is one of 24 early career scholars to receive $120,000 for proposals incorporating research and science education.

two black holes approach each other with a dark background of space

Gravitational wave signal tests Einstein’s theory of general relativity

When two black holes merge, the collision rings like a bell, emitting specific tones characterized by two numbers.

A red star and an earth-like planet with purple lines between them (illustration)

Novel way to detect signals from stellar and exoplanetary systems unveiled

Thanks to this innovation, scientists have discovered new radio bursts originating from dwarf stars and possibly from exoplanets.

yellowed musical instrument keyboard keys

Fossiles to fortepianos: The Hill's 'mini-museums' and collections

The next time you visit Ithaca, check out exhibits on Chimes history, astronomical instruments, historical keyboards and so much more

Overlooking a college campus under a yellow sky at dawn

$1.5M grant boosts postdoctoral research across 4 colleges

In 2026, the from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation will begin funding 10 two-year postdoctoral appointments including three in astronomy, chemistry and physics in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Artist's illustration of the Pandora spacecraft with an exoplanet and two stars in the background

Pandora satellite launches for exoplanet observation

Tasked with studying exoplanet systems around small stars, the refrigerator-sized satellite is the first in NASA’s Astrophysics Pioneers program – small-scale missions designed to train early-career scientists, including Trevor Foote, Ph.D. ’24, a former member of the research group led by faculty member Nikole Lewis.

Cornell astronomer honored for achievement in observational research

With the 2026 Newton Lacy Pierce Prize, the American Astronomical Society recognizes Anna Y. Q. Ho’s pioneering investigations of extreme explosions powered by stellar death.

Person pushing, on a dolly, a large red frame wrapped in plastic

The people behind the telescope: How specialized expertise is supporting science at the edge of the universe

Behind a world-leading telescope bound for Chile is a team of engineers, machinists, electronics specialists and riggers at Cornell. Meet the specialized staff whose expertise is helping push cosmology to new frontiers.

Large concrete dish surrounded by three poles and wires; a mechanism is suspended over the dish. the whole thing, a telescope, is surrounded by lush trees

Astronomer paints vivid history of Arecibo Observatory

In a new book, Donald Campbell, Ph.D. ’71, professor emeritus of astronomy, recounts the history of Arecibo from construction to its last days under Cornell’s management in 2011.

Three people stand next to a silver device, about a foot taller than the people, made of a post, a box with electronics inside, and a circular top

Cake-pan telescope searches the sky for fast radio bursts

One of the world's smallest telescopes, it is part of a series of eight terminals installed around the globe.

Person holding up an orange menstrual cup

Spaceflight-tested menstrual cup offers choice on long missions

To equip astronauts with health choices for future missions, a Cornell postdoctoral fellow is leading research with AstroCup, a group that recently tested two menstrual cups in spaceflight as payload on an uncrewed rocket flight.

Nexus Scholar alumni profile: Ricco Venterea ’24

"Nexus Scholars was the first time where the only thing I had to worry about was research."

Artistic portrait of a person in argyle pattern sweater vest holds a small model of a molecule and looks pensive

Portraits honor 8 Cornell faculty as ‘new heroes’

The portraits are part of a series by Christopher Michel, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s inaugural artist-in-residence.

Illustration of a planet covered in orange-tinted clouds

How to spot life in the clouds on other worlds

Cornell researchers have created the first reflectance spectra – a color-coded key – of microorganisms that live in the clouds floating above Earth’s surface.

Golden sphere (a planet) against a black backdrop (space)

Now in 3D, maps begin to bring exoplanets into focus

Astronomers have generated the first three-dimensional map of a planet orbiting another star, revealing an atmosphere with distinct temperature zones – one so scorching that it breaks down water vapor, a team co-led by a Cornell expert reports in new research.