UMassGives 2025

At UMass Amherst’s Department of Astronomy our mission is to explore the universe and bring the thrill of discovery home to our students and neighbors. Under the vast New England night sky, we share a sense of awe and possibility. We invite you to be part of something greater than yourself – to help advance discovery and build community through the science of astronomy.

Our Key Initiatives

Building a New Teaching Telescope

One of the most exciting initiatives underway is the development of a state-of-the-art teaching observatory on campus, an inspiring new space that will open a window to the stars for everyone! This facility, with a wide range of telescopes, will give students firsthand experiences observing the cosmos and also create opportunities for public stargazing events for the wider community. With support from donors, this dream observatory will inspire generations of astronomers right here in the Pioneer Valley and be a new focal point of pride for our campus.

Hands-On Learning & Research

We believe the best learning happens by doing. Whether analyzing the properties of distant galaxies and black holes using James Webb Space Telescope data to building instruments in the lab, our students engage in hands-on experiences that transform abstract ideas into reality. We’re expanding opportunities for undergraduates and graduate students to work side-by-side with faculty on cutting-edge research. Your support makes it possible to create more paid research internships and fund student travel to observatories around the world, no matter their financial background.

World-Class Resources & Partnerships

Our reach extends far beyond campus, giving UMass students access to exceptional tools and collaborations:

• Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT): The world’s largest single-dish millimeter-wave telescope, perched high atop a Mexican mountain. 
• Perkins Telescope: A 1.8-meter optical telescope in Arizona’s clear desert skies, used by our Five College Astronomy community. Students gain hands-on observing experience thanks to this unique collaboration with regional partners.
• Five College Astronomy Department: A consortium uniting UMass Amherst with Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith Colleges. We share courses, expertise, and facilities, creating a rich, diverse educational environment across our local campuses.
• Global Collaborations: From NASA missions to international research projects, we team up with leading institutions around the world. These partnerships open doors for our students to work with cutting-edge data and participate in discoveries on a global stage.

Join Us Under the Stars

When you support UMass Astronomy, you empower students to dream bigger, learn by doing, and push the boundaries of cosmic discovery. Your gift—no matter the size—can put a telescope eyepiece in a young scientist’s hands, send a deserving student to a life-changing conference, or help ensure that every aspiring astronomer feels welcome in our community. There are many ways to give, and each one makes a genuine difference.

We invite you to be part of our journey. Make your gift today and join our community under the stars. Together, we’ll reach new heights and ensure that the sky is not the limit for UMass Amherst’s Department of Astronomy.