Astronomy

Our unique program blends course work with research opportunities and provides students access to professional-quality telescopes, instrumentation and computers. Our students go on to the best graduate programs in the country, or to a variety of rewarding careers both in and out of the field of science.

From Our Blog

April 2024 – Senior Thesis Champagne Pop, The Sturm Lecture, and Dark Skies Event

Senior Thesis Champagne Pop 4 p.m. on April 17th marked the senior thesis deadline signaling the tradition of seniors popping champagne bottles on the steps of Olin Library. Here are some of our 2024 Seniors. The Sturm Lecture From Monday, April 22nd through Wednesday, April 24th we were honored to have Dr. Rebecca Oppenheimer join ... Read more

2024 Solar Eclipse

On Monday, April 8, 2024 Middletown, CT experienced a partial solar eclipse and a total solar eclipse was visible in parts of North America, Mexico, and Canada. With such an amazing event happening locally, our students and one of our postdocs jumped to action to host an on-campus event open to the Wesleyan Community and ... Read more
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Find out about public observing, colloquia, and other fun events happening at the astronomy department

Space Nights at Van Vleck Observatory

Wednesdays from 8:00-9:00PM at Van Vleck Observatory. Space Night is rain or shine, but the weather may impact if the telescopes are open.

The Fall 2024 schedule is as follows: Sept. 11, 18, 25; Oct. 2, 9, 16, 30 (not the 23rd because of fall break); Nov. 6, 13, 20; and Dec. 4.

Colloquium Events

Wednesday December 4, 4:30 pm: Dr. Mia de los Reyes, Amherst College, "The Lonliest Galaxies: Early Results from Dwarfs In Void Environments (DIVE) Survey" VVO 110