Astronomy & Astrophysics
-
The 2026 Science Division Distinguished Alumni Award recipients
Gregory Reyes (Kresge ’76, biology), Larry de Ghetaldi (Merrill ’76, biology and chemistry), and Nicholas Suntzeff (Ph.D. ’80, astronomy) are recognized for careers of exceptional distinction in biomedical research, healthcare policy, and observational cosmology.
-
Professors Adina Paytan and Douglas Lin elected to National Academy of Sciences
Paytan, distinguished professor of Earth and planetary sciences, and Lin, emeritus distinguished professor of astronomy and astrophysics, were among 120 new U.S. members named on April 28
-
Acclaimed astrophysicist and electric slam poet blend science and storytelling
Slam poet Jasmine Schlafke and UC Santa Cruz professor Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz blend science, poetry and storytelling to explore our deepest origins and shared humanity at the second annual Landesman Lecture on April 28.
-
DESI completes largest high-resolution 3D map of universe to date
The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) has completed its originally planned five-year mission and mapped more than 47 million galaxies and quasars, and will continue observations into 2028 and further expand the map.
-
UC Santa Cruz among top 10 public U.S. universities with high-impact research, analysis shows
The campus ranks among the top 10 public universities in the United States home to high-impact researchers, according to a recent analysis by Clarivate.
-
Eighteen years of mobilizing marginalized students, making science more innovative
Review in Nature Astronomy highlights how UC Santa Cruz’s Lamat Institute leverages cultural strengths through tailored experiences, raises awareness of systemic barriers, and builds culturally validating communities
-
Science Division awards honor staff and faculty for outstanding work and dedication
Alyssa Danielli, department manager in astronomy and astrophysics, and Carrie Partch, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, are the respective recipients of the division’s 2024-25 Outstanding Staff and Faculty Awards
-
Meet this historian of alien worlds
With equations and simulations, astronomer Ruth Murray-Clay is working to understand how distant planets form, evolve and could offer conditions to support life.
-
From Space to Soil, Alexie Leauthaud Bridges Cosmology and Environmentalism
UC Santa Cruz astronomer Alexie Leauthaud is bringing her cosmology expertise to climate action through Seed Spoon Science, a community-based gardening program focused on environmental justice and sustainability.
-
How quiet galaxies stay quiet: cool gas feeds black holes in ‘red geysers’
New paper led by UC Santa Cruz undergraduate suggests that long-dormant galaxies deemed to be dead may actually be stunted by the dynamics of supermassive black holes at their center
-
American Astronomical Society honors four UC Santa Cruz affiliates
At this week’s national gathering, astronomy and astrophysics professors Bryan Gaensler, Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, and Connie Rockosi were honored for outstanding contributions to the field, as was alumna Kathryn Johnston
-
Historic Lick Observatory closes to public following significant wind damage
Early on Thursday, Dec. 25, severe winds gusting up to 114 miles per hour tore loose half of the shutter on the 140-year old 36-inch Great Refractor dome. No one was injured.