#  About 

 



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[Welcome to the oldest academic observatory in North America.](/history "History")



 

 

 

       ![phillips-observatory.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum6286/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/astronomy/files/phillips-observatory.jpg?itok=iWnY6cgn) 

 

 



 

 



##  From the Department Chair 

Welcome to the Department of Astronomy at Harvard University, located within the [Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics](http://www.cfa.harvard.edu).

Our department is young in spirit but has a century-old tradition of exceptional graduate students and faculty. Our teaching and research interests span the entire Universe with exciting observational and theoretical programs in cosmology, extra-solar planets, transients, star formation, black holes and high-energy astrophysics.  
  
We are delighted to have you visit our vibrant academic home!  
  
David Charbonneau

Fred Kavli Professor of Astrophysics  
Harvard University

Visit Prof. Charbonneau's [profile page](/people/david-charbonneau)[.](/people/daniel-eisenstein)