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Explore the universe at Illinois. Department of Astronomy, University of Illinois

From black holes to galaxies, our researchers and students investigate the biggest questions in the cosmos using world-class telescopes, powerful simulations, and boundless curiosity.

10/28/2026

Affiliate professor Siegfried Eggls and his graduate student, Samuel Cornwall, were recently part of the team that discovered a dwarf planet.

Read more in this post from the Department of Aerospace Engineering.

10/21/2026

What can a few months at a national laboratory teach you about your future in science?

For Astronomy graduate students Haille Perkins, Amanda Wasserman and Aadya Agrawal, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Graduate Student Research program offers a chance to work alongside experts, tackle new research challenges and explore different ways of working.

Their experiences have led to different discoveries — from finding a passion for software development to realizing the importance of a strong research community. Now, Aadya is preparing to begin her own project at Fermilab.

Read how stepping beyond Illinois is helping these students find new perspectives on research, their careers, and what comes next at the link in the comments.

10/15/2026

Join us tonight, October 15th, at 6 p.m. at 25 O'Clock Brewing Company for Astronomy on Tap!

Resident astronomers Dr. Decker French and Maggie Verrico, a 5th-year PhD student, will explore the cosmos through our newest lens: the Nancy Grace Roman Telescope! We will journey through space and see what there is to know and what we stand to gain from the latest mission launch.

We hope to see you there!

10/09/2026

What happens when two students who barely know each other sit down and talk for nearly five hours?

Astrophysics student and Stamps Scholar Eryn Van Wijk recently appeared on the UIUC Talkshow for a wide-ranging conversation about astronomy, philosophy, music, art, science, college, and figuring out what comes next.

The episode grew out of an unusual experiment matching University of Illinois students based on their YouTube recommendations — and, as the hosts put it, accidentally recorded the beginning of a friendship.

You can listen to the full conversation at the link in the comments

10/07/2026

Last Wednesday, Harvard astrophysicist David Charbonneau joined us for our annual Icko Iben Jr. Lecture to present The Terrestrial Worlds of Other Stars, exploring what astronomers are learning about rocky planets orbiting nearby stars — and whether these distant worlds could truly be Earth-like.

From observations with the NASA James Webb Space Telescope to the future Habitable Worlds Observatory, Charbonneau took us closer to answering one of astronomy’s biggest questions: Are we alone in the Universe?

Thank you to Dr. Charbonneau for sharing his expertise with our community and to everyone who joined us at Lincoln Hall Theater and online!

Missed the lecture? The recording is now available online. See the link in the comments.

09/25/2026

A team of Illinois students recently earned a spot at NASA’s RASC-AL competition, where they developed a concept for using materials found on the Moon to support future lunar infrastructure — and the team included students from across the university, including several from the Department of Astronomy.

Students majoring in astrophysics, astronomy + data science, and astronomy helped develop MATRIX, a proposed system for mining and processing lunar regolith to produce materials for building structures on the Moon. The team’s prototype for sorting lunar regolith even tied for the Best Prototype award at the competition.

It’s a great example of how an Illinois astronomy education can open the door to interdisciplinary work at the intersection of science, technology, and space exploration.

09/23/2026

One week from today, Harvard astrophysicist David Charbonneau will join us for the 2026 Icko Iben Lecture, The Terrestrial Worlds of Other Stars.

Rocky planets with temperatures and compositions similar to Earth have been discovered around nearby stars. But are these worlds truly Earth-like — or are they barren, airless planets that could never support life?

Charbonneau will explore how astronomers are beginning to investigate these distant worlds using the NASA James Webb Space Telescope, and how the future Habitable Worlds Observatory could finally help answer the ultimate question: Are we alone in the Universe?

Join us in the Lincoln Hall Theater or online, September 30th at 7 p.m.

09/18/2026

Join us next Friday, September 25, from 5:30–7:30pm for Astronomy on Tap at the Gallery Art Bar in Urbana as part of the Pygmalion Festival!

Note the abnormal time and place!

We’ll have two speakers and a performance:

Prof. Emily Edwards — “Quantum Watchamacallits” –She will be discussing quantum computing.
Prof. Gautham Narayan — “20 billion galaxies walk into a bar ...” — He will be discussing the Vera C. Rubin Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST)
Cosmic Psychonaut — A performance with words, visuals, and sounds with Matt Turk, Joaquin Vieira, and Sam Wagster.

Gallery Art Bar at 119 W Main St, Urbana, IL

As always, this event is FREE and suitable for ALL AGES! We hope to see you there. Doors open at 5!

09/16/2026

The 2026 astronomy department newsletter is here!

Our latest newsletter has officially made its way to alumni mailboxes, and we’re excited to share a digital version with everyone, too. From department news and faculty research to student accomplishments, alumni updates, and a look at what’s ahead, there’s plenty to catch up on from the past year in astronomy at Illinois.

You can read the digital version at the link in the comments, but if you didn’t receive a physical copy and would like one, contact our office at [email protected], and we’ll be happy to help.

09/09/2026

What would it take to know whether a planet orbiting another star could actually support life?

On September 30, Harvard astrophysicist David Charbonneau will deliver the 2026 Icko Iben Lecture, The Terrestrial Worlds of Other Stars. Charbonneau, a pioneer in the discovery and characterization of exoplanets, will explore what astronomers are learning about rocky worlds beyond our Solar System — and how powerful new telescopes could help answer one of humanity’s biggest questions.

Using observations from the NASA James Webb Space Telescope and looking ahead to the future Habitable Worlds Observatory, Charbonneau will examine whether these distant worlds are truly Earth-like or instead barren, airless planets.

Join us September 30th, at 7 p.m. in the Lincoln Hall Theater or Online.

This lecture is free and open to the public.

Address

1002 W Green Street
Urbana, IL
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Website

http://www.astro.illinois.edu/

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