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Astronomy and Planetary Science

The universe is awaiting your exploration

The Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science at Northern Arizona University offers various bachelor’s degrees, and a doctoral degree.

The department has a small, family feeling. At NAU, your instructors will know you by name; they are easily accessible, and they genuinely care about student success. Lecture courses are taught almost exclusively by full-time faculty. Both undergraduate and graduate students are routinely and deeply involved in faculty research.

The sense of community I felt while at NAU is something I very much miss.

– graduate who is now a PhD

Our Classroom is the Cosmos!
Join us: we’re looking for a few good students!

NAU aims to be the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.

The Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science strives to build a diverse and inclusive community at Northern Arizona University; more information on our EDI policies can be found here.

Northern Arizona University sits at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, on homelands sacred to Native Americans throughout the region.
We honor their past, present, and future generations, who have lived here for millennia and will forever call this place home.

Fall 2023 Graduates: Christian Moreno, Ashley Santana, Loren Larrieu, Ryder Strauss.

Explore our degrees

Bachelor's Degrees Quantum Physics Blackboard
Doctoral Degrees Discovery Channel Telescope

Research spotlight

MarsCuriosity-IresonHill Planetary Surface Processes
Astrophysical Ices Lab Lab Studies of Planetary Materials
OortCloud 2012VP113tile Observational Planetary Science
Hubble Space Telescope Exoplanets & Planetary Formation
Decorative image:  Organic molecules floating in space Astrobiology
Spacecraft Missions

Microbe Goo Could Help Guide the Search for Life on Mars

Posted by Ed on December 08, 2023

Great feature article about PhD student Natalie Jones in EOS, which is the news magazine of the American Geophysical Union.

Humans of NAU: David Koerner

Posted by Ed on November 14, 2023

Many people have rafted through the Grand Canyon. How many have done it with a string quartet? David Koerner has. An emeritus professor of astronomy, Koerner also is finishing a graduate certificate in piano performance and has a master’s degree in instrumental performance for the viola. He’s combining his two loves with his new appointment: astronomer in residence at the Grand Canyon. Read the full story at Humans of NAU.

Hello, aliens? If you’re out there, give us a wave.

Posted by Author on Source on October 27, 2023

After spending a weekend in Roswell, New Mexico, to watch the solar eclipse—and pay a visit to the UFO Museum—Gavin Moriarty, president of NAU’s Astronomy Club, weighed in on alien life, a staple of scary stories. Is the research pointing more toward ET, Independence Day or Coneheads? Read the full story by Heidi Toth at The NAU Review.

NAU PhD student studies trans-Neptunian objects with space telescopes

Posted by Author on Source on October 19, 2023

Free of Earth’s atmosphere, these telescopes capture images in vivid detail and see deep into space. For most people, the telescopes offer views they could previously only imagine. For astronomers like Ana Morgan, these telescopes are tools to make measurements that Earth-based telescopes might miss. Read the full story at NAU Stories.
Astronomy and Planetary Science
Call us at: 928-523-2661 astro@nau.edu Directory
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Astronomy and Planetary Science
Location
Room 209 Building 19
Physical Sciences
527 S. Beaver St.
Flagstaff, Arizona 86011-6010
Mailing Address
NAU Box 6010
Flagstaff, Arizona 86011-6010
Email
astro@nau.edu
Phone
928-523-2661
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