Why Astronomy, Cosmology and Astrophysics Matter

Astronomy, cosmology, and astrophysics are deeply interconnected, forming a continuous quest to understand the universe — from the smallest particles to the largest cosmic structures.

One Field, Three Roles

• Astronomy collects precise measurements of light, particles and signals from space.
• Astrophysics uses physics to explain how stars, galaxies and other celestial objects behave.
• Cosmology studies the origin, evolution and structure of the universe — including dark matter, dark energy and cosmic expansion

Think of these roles as a single pipeline:

Photons, gravitational wave or other signals from the sky → (Astronomy) measurements are used to answer basic questions in (Astrophysics) physical modeling and in (Cosmology).

These roles are unified by shared tools and principles – from electromagnetism and thermodynamics to quantum mechanics and general relativity.

An Expanding Vision

At Carnegie Mellon University, the McWilliams Center for Cosmology and Astrophysics is a global leader in exploring the universe through data science, artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. 
The center recently expanded its name and mission to include:

• Gravitational Wave Science: By detecting and analyzing subtle distortions in the universe's fabric, scientists can unlock new information about fundamental physics
• Multi-Messenger Astronomy (MMA): Integrating light, particles and gravitational waves to study phenomena like black holes, neutron star collisions and cosmic explosions.
• AI and Big Data: Analyzing massive datasets from surveys like DESI and LSST using machine learning and simulations.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Bridging physics, statistics, computer science and machine learning to develop new tools and insights.
• Postdoctoral Excellence: Supporting top researchers through prestigious fellowships that drive innovation and discovery.

Exploring the Universe, One Discovery at a Time

Founded in 2007, the McWilliams Center is a global hub for cutting-edge research in astronomy, cosmology and astrophysics. Researchers lead major galaxy surveys, develop new theoretical frameworks and harness the power of the data revolution sweeping the field.

The McWilliams Center fosters collaboration within Carnegie Mellon’s Department of Physics, the School of Computer Science, the Department of Statistics and Data Science and the Software Engineering Institute and among partner institutions including the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center and the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Pittsburgh. 

Looking Ahead

Over the next decade, a range of complementary observations — from radio to gamma rays, gravitational waves, and neutrinos — will enable investigations in previously inaccessible regimes and allow us to address some fundamental open questions in our current understanding of the universe.

Ph.D in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Beginning in Fall 2025, the Ph.D. program in Astronomy and Astrophysics is designed to be completed in four or more years. The program provides a foundational astronomy and astrophysics background through core courses and allows specialization through customizable electives in physics, statistics, or machine learning, tailored to individual research interests.

A Universe of Dark Matter, Galaxies and Black Holes

Over the next decade, a range of complementary observations — from radio to gamma rays, gravitational waves (GW), and neutrinos — will enable investigations in previously inaccessible regimes and allow us to address some of these fundamental open questions in our current understanding of the Universe.