About Cornell Astronomy
The Department of Astronomy of the
College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University and the Graduate Field of
Astronomy and Space Sciences are associated with two research centers: the Center
for Radiophysics and Space Research (CRSR) and the National
Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (NAIC). Housed in the Space Sciences Building,
they form one of the leading centers for astronomy in the world. Traditional
areas of excellence include infrared astronomy, theoretical astrophysics, radio
and radar astronomy and planetary science. The department places strong emphasis
on undergraduate and graduate teaching and in the participation of students
in ongoing research projects. It strives to foster an interdisciplinary approach
to solving astronomical problems and maintains strong ties with other departments.
Cooperation between the Departments of Physics and Astronomy is especially strong
and dates back to pioneering research by Hans Bethe and Edwin Salpeter on how
stars generate energy. Hans Bethe was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1967 for his
work in this area, while Edwin Salpeter won the Crafoord Prize in 1997.
Recognizing the importance of interdisciplinary research in astronomy and planetary science, Thomas Gold founded CRSR in 1959. The Center fosters cooperation among astronomers, planetary scientists, geologists, and other scientists at Cornell.
Since the early days of space exploration, Cornell astronomers have played major roles in NASA missions to explore the solar system and distant universe. This strong tradition, going back to Thomas Gold and the Apollo mission to the Moon, and Carl Sagan and the early exploration of Mars by Mariner 9 and Viking, continues today. The Infrared Spectrometer (IRS), a major instrument on the Infrared Telescope Facility (Spitzer Infrared Telescope Facility), was developed by a group at Cornell. The focal point for the analysis of data being collected by this instrument is the IRS Data Center located at Cornell. Cornell planetary scientists played big roles in the NEAR mission which culminated in the successful landing on asteroid 433 Eros in 2001, and were responsible for developing the Athena instrument package for the Mars Exploration Rovers: Spirit and Opportunity. Under Cornell leadership the rovers collected a wealth of observational data on the ancient climate of the planet.
Cornell engineers designed and helped build the world’s largest radio-radar telescope, the 1000-foot dish in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The facility is administered and operated by NAIC through a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The Arecibo telescope is the premier planetary radar instrument in the world and an important tool for investigating not only the Earth’s ionosphere but exotic objects such as pulsars and quasars in the remote universe.
Since 1990 Cornell has participated in the operation of the 5-meter Hale telescope on Mt. Palomar and has provided some of the key instruments for this facility. Observing time is available to Cornell faculty, students and research staff.
Cornell astronomers and planetary scientists maintain close working relationships with major centers of space exploration such as Cal Tech’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Applied Physics Laboratory of Johns Hopkins University.
The Cornell Center for Advanced Computing is a valuable resource in advanced computing and graphic display. It is used extensively by astronomers in the application of computer technology to astrophysics, relativity, and solar system dynamics research.
The Spacecraft Planetary Imaging Facility (SPIF) in the Space Sciences Building houses data obtained by NASA planetary missions. It is a major library and provides image processing facilities for planetary research.
The Hewitt Laboratory provides state-of-the-art computing facilities for teaching modern data and image processing techniques used in astronomical research.
The Space Sciences Building, home for Cornell Astronomy, is situated in the central part of the campus next door to the Departments of Physics, Chemistry and Nuclear Studies. The Cornell campus, one of the most beautiful in the country, is situated on a hill overlooking Cayuga Lake (the largest of the Finger Lakes) and Ithaca in central New York. The campus and its surroundings include many recreational areas such as small lakes, gorges, waterfalls, and numerous parks. Hiking is a favorite activity along with summer water sports and winter activities such as cross-country and downhill skiing.
