Department of Astronomy

A wide variety of College of Arts and Sciences students and faculty have been honored with the 2020 Awards of Excellence.

Matthew McQuinn, assistant professor of astronomy, discusses the results of a study he co-authored about cosmic bursts.

UW recognizes Award of Excellence recipients (many from the College of Arts and Sciences) for their outstanding dedication in teaching, mentoring, public service, staff support and more.

Julianne Delcanton, professor of astronomy, discusses her work as founder and volunteer for the Seattle Mask Brigade, an organization that collects spare masks to give to healthcare workers.

Two CAS students — Keyan Gootkin (astronomy and physics) and Karen Zhang (microbiology and biochemistry) — are among 396 students who have been named Goldwater Scholars for 2020.

Senior Keyan Gootkin, who is majoring in astronomy and physics, has been awarded the prestigious 2020 Goldwater scholarship.

Julianne Dalcanton, chair of the astronomy department, explains her role in the collection of masks for medical workers.

Emily Levesque, assistant professor of astronomy, explains the effect coronavirus and quarantines are having on the astronomy field.

Emily Levesque, an associate professor of astronomy, discusses why the star Betelgeuse is dimming.

The program was established in 2019 to recognize achievement and extraordinary service to the filed of astronomy.

Chris Laws, senior astronomy lecturer, discusses how the earth's "wobble" could effect zodiac signs.

Victoria Meadows, astronomy professor, explains the utility of new telescope and observatory technology in the search for extraterrestrial life.

Victoria Meadows, astronomy professor, discusses new telescope and observatory technology and how it relates to the search for extraterrestrials.

Victoria Meadows, astronomy professor, describes observations planned with the intention of searching for extraterrestrial life.

Eric Bellm, research assistant professor of astronomy, discusses new technology is space observation.