Department of Astronomy

The unexpected atmospheric detection of phosphine, a smelly gas made by microbes on Earth, could spark a revolution in astrobiology. Michael Wong, a postdoctoral researcher in astronomy at the UW, is quoted.

SpaceX’s attempts to dim the spacecraft in its megaconstellation fall short of eliminating disruptions to the world’s ground-based observatories. Meredith Rawls, a research scientist in astronomy, is quoted.

Several missions this year are seeking out life on the red planet. But would we recognize extraterrestrials if we found them? Michael Wong, a postdoctoral astronomy researcher, is referenced.

A report about the impact of satellite clusters says damage to observations is unavoidable and offers mitigation strategies. Meredith Rawls, a research scientist in astronomy, is quoted.

Emily Levesque, assistant professor of astronomy at the UW, discusses Betelgeuse's "great dimming."

Emily Levesque, professor of astronomy, writes about COVID-19 and astronomy.

In “The Last Stargazers: The Enduring Story of Astronomy's Vanishing Explorers,” astronomy professor Emily Levesque shares the tales of modern-day stargazers.

Emily Levesque, assistant professor of astronomy, has written a new book entitled "The Last Stargazers: The Enduring Story of Astronomy’s Vanishing Explorers" that explores the wonder of astronomy.

The astronomy community looks to the cloud to store big data. Mario Juric, associate professor of astronomy, is quoted.

An alternative concept for describing life in space, "lyfe," has been proposed by Michael Wong, a postdoctoral researcher in astronomy.

Emily Levesque, assistant professor of astronomy, explains her new book, "The Last Stargazers: The Enduring Story of Astronomy's Vanishing Explorers."

Emily Levesque, assistant professor of astronomy, discusses her new book: “The Last Stargazers: The Enduring Story of Astronomy’s Vanishing Explorers.”

This week at the UW, attend an online book launch, read along with the UW alumni book club, and listen to VoiceThreads from the comfort of your home.

As NASA prepares to launch a spacecraft to collect samples from Mars, Nature looks at back at missions that have grabbed material. Don Brownlee, professor of astronomy, is quoted.

Nearly 50 years after Charles Ross began working on “Star Axis,” the gargantuan work in the New Mexico desert is nearing completion. The Department of Astronomy is mentioned.