Welcome to the Department of Astrophysics & Planetary Science! Modern astronomy is an exciting and fast-paced field, with new discoveries being reported nearly every day. The scope of astronomy ranges from the interactions between individual atoms in interstellar space, to the formation of planetary systems, to the formation and evolution of the Universe…
The Solar System is made up of all the planets that orbit our Sun. In addition to planets, the Solar System also consists of moons, comets, asteroids, minor planets, and dust and gas. Everything in the Solar System orbits or revolves around the Sun. The Sun contains around 98% of all the material in the Solar System. The larger an object is, the more gravity…
Astronomy is not a subject many parents are eager to teach to their kids on their own, so when I offered to teach Astronomy classes in our local homeschool co-op, many parents were excited. Over the years, I’ve taught a class for high schoolers, another one for 3rd and 4th graders, and this coming year I’ll be teaching 7th-9th graders. It has been very rewarding…
That is the term astronomers use to describe the first time starlight enters a new telescope or other astronomical instrument. It essentially means “all is well” (though perhaps with a little more tweaking by its designers), and the instrument can begin making meaningful scientific observations. University of Virginia astronomers achieved that milestone recently…
The objective of our PhD program is to prepare students for careers in astronomical research and university-level education. To accomplish this, we emphasize: Acquisition of a broad knowledge of astronomy and familiarity with both observational and theoretical techniques; Exposure to a variety of advanced and specialized topics in modern astronomy; Extensive…
The International Space Station crosses our skies on a regular basis. Many of us would love to spend time on this early starship as it circles the Earth and studies all that is above and below. But for most of us, all we can do is occasionally watch as it streaks across the sky. But wait a minute? Why settle for a streaking glimmer like just another satellite…
