Expanding universe. Expanding mind.

Think outside the world

If you are interested in solving large problems with big ideas, Astronomy has a degree program for you.
In our programs, you will expand your mind using tools that can be applied to multiple problems.
Block Reference

Astronomy News

Read article: Congratulations to Patrick Aleo
Congratulations to Patrick Aleo
We want to congratulate the successful thesis defense of the newly minted Dr. Patrick Aleo. He has successfully defended his thesis with his advisor, Professor Gautham Narayan. 
Read article: IDEAS Summer School Returns for Second Year
IDEAS Summer School Returns for Second Year
Led by Prof. Decker French, the IDEAS program (Illinois Developing Equity in Astrophysics Summer School) has once again received financial support from the Illinois Space Grant Consortium!  IDEAS is an 8-week summer program, running from June 3 to July 26, that matches undergraduate students...
Block Reference
Read article: ALMA Observation of Young Star Reveals Details of Dust Grains
ALMA Observation of Young Star Reveals Details of Dust Grains
Prof. Leslie Looney is part of the team that created this beautiful image of the circumstellar disk of HL Tauri in dust polarization using ALMA at a resolution of ~5 au-- coming out soon in Nature. They find more dust polarization in the gaps than the rings, suggesting that a dust alignment...
Read article: Gammie Appointed to Prestigious Ikenberry Chair
Gammie Appointed to Prestigious Ikenberry Chair
Prof. Charles Gammie has been named an Ikenberry Endowed Chair, one of the most prestigious named appointments at the Urbana-Champaign campus.  Prof. Gammie, who previously held the Donald Biggar Willett Chair in Physics, is a Professor in both Physics and Astronomy, and is known for his...
Read article: Grad Student awarded an LSST LINCC incubator
Grad Student awarded an LSST LINCC incubator
Third-year grad student, Grant Merz, has been awarded an LSST LINCC incubator as PI. LSST, which stands for Legacy Survey of Space and Time, awarded only four PIs worldwide. Congratulations, Grant!

Astronomy Events

Title
Real data, real experiences

Body

The universe provides plenty of room for exploration. Astronomy classes make use of vast, modern datasets to give you hands-on experience with real data. 

Subtitle
Help celebrate our centennial by reaching for the stars.

Title
100 gifts for 100 years

Body

In celebration of the department’s centennial, we’re asking for your help to replenish the department’s annual fund. Our goal is 100 gifts for 100 years.

Illustration of observable universe

Introduction to Astronomy

Learn the basic concepts of modern astronomy, from the Solar System to the Big Bang.

ASTR 100

heat map of universe

Introduction to Astrophysics

Survey of modern astronomy for students with background in physics.

ASTR 210

Hubble image of universe

The Big Bang, Black Holes, and the End of the Universe

Studies the origin, evolution, and eventual fate of the universe, and the scientific tools used to study these issues.

ASTR 350

Stephens quartet galaxy

Galaxies and the Universe

Explore elementary aspects of physical cosmology, including galaxies in our Local Group, starburst galaxies, and quasars.

ASTR 406

Computer generated model

Computing in Astronomy

An introduction to the use of computers in astrophysics research.

ASTR 310

Block Reference

Astronomy picture of the day

Discover the cosmos with NASA.gov. Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.