Skip to Main Content
Department of Astronomy
Three students sitting cross-legged inside a planetarium dome, watching an immersive space projection above them.
Three students sitting cross-legged inside a planetarium dome, watching an immersive space projection above them.

Programs of Study

Explore This Section

Astronomy at Wesleyan

Whether you’re interested in planetary science, high-performance computing, spectroscopy, or exploring the night sky through observational astronomy, there’s a place for you here. 

  • Hands-on Learning

    Gain direct observational experience with our state-of-the-art equipment and data from leading research facilities around the world.

    A student peers into a complex telescope mounted indoors, smiling as she adjusts the eyepiece, surrounded by scientific equipment.

  • Global Exposure

    Join the global astronomical community conducting research in observatories, universities, and research institutes around the world.

    Deep space view showing a star field with a bright blue nebula and scattered stars against a dark background.

  • Meaningful Mentorship

    Strengthen your communication skills with observatory public outreach events, community-engaged learning, and course assistantships.

    Two students inside an observatory, a man and a woman, looking up at a large telescope suspended overhead, the room dimly lit.

  • Explore Across Disciplines

    Students with interdisciplinary interests always have a home in the observatory.

    Portrait of a student with windblown hair smiling as she looks through a telescope outdoors during daylight.

  • Departmental Connections

    Learn new skills and techniques through our work with the Physics, Earth and Environmental Studies, and Mathematics departments.

    Two students indoors examining a rock or meteorite specimen, engaged in conversation, with shelves of books behind them

Our Programs

Astronomy at Wesleyan is an immersive experience from the start. Our programs blend research and hands-on learning with access to professional-quality telescopes, instrumentation, and computational tools to give students real experience in the field from day one.

I can think of no better place to learn astronomy. The classes are excellent, the faculty is accessible and kind, and they foster an inclusive atmosphere. There are ample research opportunities. Given that Wesleyan is a liberal arts education, you will learn astronomy, but you will also have a lot of freedom to take classes that are very different from astronomy. I took a lot of history and English classes, and I even spent half a summer doing environmental research in Arizona. You will get a superb astronomy education, but you will not be confined by that degree.

Hunter Vannier ’20

A snowy winter scene of the Wesleyan observatory surrounded by trees at dusk, under a cloudy purple-orange sky.

Information for Current Students

Current students are part of a supportive community with opportunities and resources to explore, discover, and grow together.

Student Resources

Our Community

At Wesleyan, we explore the universe together. Our community thrives on collaboration, discovery, and research. Faculty, staff, and students work side by side, whether analyzing data, leading Van Vleck Observatory events, or tackling big questions. We continually work to maintain an inclusive and equitable department where all individuals feel welcome and supported, and we maintain a commitment to each other at all levels of our community.

Meet Our People
Browse the Directory