Stars & Stellar Systems
Stellar astrophysics studies the building blocks of galaxies – stars – both individually and in associations ranging from binary systems up to clusters, in order to understand the complex lifecycle of these remarkable objects. Learn More »
Plasma Astrophysics
Plasma astrophysics studies how plasmas behave in order to understand the detailed birth, evolution, and death of the wide variety of structures we can see in the universe: from stars and planetary systems, to galaxies and clusters of galaxies. Learn More »
Interstellar & Intergalactic Media
The interstellar and intergalactic media consist of gas, dust, magnetic fields, interstellar radiation, and energetic cosmic rays. The UW-Madison Astronomy program has a long, pioneering history in ISM/IGM and continues to lead a rich array of research in this area. Learn More »
Galactic Astronomy
Galactic astronomy studies the composition and structure of the Milky Way Galaxy, including the statistical properties of its stellar populations, and the global properties of the interstellar medium. Learn More »
Extragalactic Astronomy & Cosmology
Extragalactic Astronomy studies the structure and evolution of other galaxies, including their stellar populations, active galactic nuclei, and interstellar media, and the clustering of galaxies. Cosmology studies the structure and evolution of the universe as a whole. Learn More »
High Energy Astrophysics
High energy astrophysics studies the universe at its most extreme. Its focus is the understanding of compact objects and the processes occurring in their vicinity, the properties of ionizing cosmic radiation, and the acceleration of non-thermal particle distributions. Learn More »
Theory and Computation
Astrophysical theory attempts to understand the universe, or aspects thereof, through the methods of physics and mathematics. Computational astrophysics uses numerical simulation to test and develop theoretical models, taking the place of experiments. Learn More »
Observational Astronomy
Observational Astronomy studies the visible universe by detecting photons and particles. Depending on wavelength, observers use a wide range of detection methods and a broad variety of skills to extract quantitative information from images, spectra, lightcurves of cosmic objects. Learn More »
Instrumentation
Astronomical Instrumentation constructs the cameras and spectrographs that collect the data astronomers use to analyze astrophysical processes and test theories. Instruments can be designed to provide high spatial, spectral or time resolution. Learn More »
Astrophysics in Physics
The Physics department hosts a number of groups working actively on astrophysical topics, ranging from cosmology to high-energy astrophysics. Learn More »