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Caltech
Department of Astronomy

Astronomy Homepage

The Astronomy Department at the California Institute of Technology is part of the Division of Physics, Math, and Astronomy. The primary mission of our department is twofold: the performance of cutting-edge research in astronomy and astrophysics, including theory, observation, and experiment, as well as the education of undergraduate and graduate students and training of postdoctoral research associates who will comprise the scientists and leaders of tomorrow. We are located in the Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics on the Caltech campus.

OVRO 40-meter radio telescope
Research Highlights
ZTF: Zwicky Transient Facility at Palomar COMAP: the CO Mapping Array Pathfinder at OVRO SPHEREx Mission
Keck Observatory telescope domes
Observatories
OVRO Palomar Observatory W. M. Keck Observatory LIGO

Upcoming Events

All Events
June 14, 2026 1:00 pm

City of Astronomy Science Festival

June 15, 2026 7:30 pm

Astronomy on Tap

"Star Formation" and "Dark Skies" for our 10th Anniversary Week
Cara Battersby, Professor, Department of Physics, University of Connecticut,
Stephen Hummel, Dark Skies Coordinator, McDonald Observatory, University of Texas,
June 16, 2026 7:30 pm

Astronomy on Tap

"X-Ray Astronomy" and "Aliens" for our 10th Anniversary Week
Esra Bulbul, Professor, Max Planck Insitute for Extraterrestrial Physics,
Tom Rice, Research Professor, Department of Physics, George Washington University,
June 17, 2026 7:30 pm

Astronomy on Tap

"Black Holes" and "Gravitational Waves" for our 10th Anniversary Week
Kyle Kremer, Professor, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, UC San Diego,
Floor Broekgaarden, Professor, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, UC San Diego,

Recent Publications

For a complete publications list, see feeds.library.caltech.edu