PhD in Astronomy

The Department of Astronomy offers graduate work in theoretical, observational and experimental astronomy, culminating in the Ph.D. Research takes place in facilities shared with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, which works closely with the Harvard College Observatory. Students join a community that pursues questions about stars, galaxies and the large-scale structure of the universe. Together the observatories operate as one center for astrophysics, a large research setting that covers nearly every branch of the field. Students can study topics from atomic physics to cosmology and use techniques that range from gamma ray detectors to radio antennas. This breadth allows graduates to move between theory, observation and instrument development as their research develops. Faculty and staff from both institutions supervise projects that range from theory to instrument building.