Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics

Consistently ranked in the top 10 worldwide for space science, UC Santa Cruz is known for breakthrough discoveries on explosive phenomena in the cosmos, the origins of gravitational waves, stellar and planetary structure, the secrets of potentially habitable exoplanets, and all aspects of observational, optical, and infrared astronomy. If you’re looking to study high-impact space science, we’re the premier experts for developing unprecedented technologies that lead humanity deeper into space, allow scientists to see sharper images, and enable researchers to analyze big data more efficiently.

Our Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics designs many of the world’s most powerful space technologies and telescopes. Our invention of segmented mirror technology shattered previous limits on telescope size and is said to have had “the biggest impact in optics after Newton.” Our scientists developed the laser guide star technology for adaptive optics (taking the twinkle out of the stars). They designed the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, the Automated Planet Finder at Lick Observatory, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey photometric camera, and the Keck Telescopes in Hawaii. Oh, and we determined how to fix the flawed optics on the Hubble Space Telescope. We're a leading partner in the NASA explorations using the Kepler planet-finding telescope and the Cassini mission to Saturn. The list goes on

What does it mean to be human, to analyze and construct the human experience? These are the fundamental questions that guide and unite the learning, teaching and scholarship conducted in University of CaliforniaSanta Cruz’s Humanities Division.

The exploration and discussion of this query has culminated in some of humanity’s most deeply and widely valued beliefs and teachings about ourselves and the world in which we live.

Built in 2006, the Humanities buildings provide 85,000 square feet of classrooms, teaching and research space, language and computer labs, and offices. The Humanities Division is one of the original academic areas of research and teaching in the university.