The Department of Astrophysics is located in the Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History. We conduct astrophysical research and provide scientific support for outreach activities and exhibits in the Museum.

Research in Astrophysics covers theory, observation, and instrumentation, with investigations focused on exoplanets, brown dwarfs, the formation of planets, stars, and galaxies, the evolution of stars and gas in the universe, and large-scale surveys.

The Department has at its disposal a state-of-the-art optics lab used to produce cutting-edge astronomical instruments, access to high-end computing systems, and, in addition to being a partner on the South Africa Large Telescope, regularly uses optical, radio, infrared, ultraviolet, and X-ray observatories both worldwide and in space.