THE VILLANOVA ONE SKY CENTER FOR ASTROPHYSICS
The Villanova One Sky Center for Astrophysics is dedicated to advancing innovation and excellence in astrophysics by prioritizing inclusion of traditionally underrepresented groups.
The study of the Universe is foundational to the liberal arts, bridging timeless philosophical questions with modern, data-driven problem-solving methods. By exploring the cosmos, astrophysics inspires curiosity and equips students with critical skills that prepare them for a wide range of careers from science to engineering, medicine, business, law and more. However, the field has historically lacked a multitude of voices—limiting its potential for innovation and discovery. The Center is creating and expanding opportunities for more students to access astrophysics, paving the way for a more accessible and welcoming discipline. With internationally recognized faculty in the field, The Villanova One Sky Center is also elevating and strengthening the University's longstanding record of research eminence in astronomy and astrophysics.
WHAT WE DO
The Center is building and growing relationships with community colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and communities nearby to both invite promising students to participate in research alongside Villanova faculty mentors and to expand and enrich the research and studies they pursue at their home institutions.
Through expanding access to exciting research opportunities to students regardless of where they study among many other efforts, the Center aims to be an educational resource, offering colloquia and providing opportunities to utilize the Villanova Public Observatory for night-time observing and celestial events.
We are also partnered with the Delaware Space Grant (DSG) to provide research and outreach opportunities to students around Villanova and our partner institutions.
The Center and its members work to expand engagement in astrophysics broadly by forging partnerships with local high schools, colleges, and universities. Empowering and encouraging talented students is key to addressing humanity's future challenges. As an educational resource, the Center fosters inclusive opportunities and provides access to astrophysics for all.
If you're a local K-12 teacher or help run a local astronomy club and are looking for a speaker for your events or a mentor for your students, reach out to us via the link provided above on this page at the "Contact Us" link above.
Uniting the efforts of two departments, the Department of Physics and the Department of Astrophysics and Planetary Science, The Villanova One Sky Center elevates faculty research in stellar astrophysics, star formation, solar system exploration, cosmology, black holes, explosive events and transient phenomena. The Center works with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory to analyze data collected from the 8.4-meter Simonyi Survey Telescope in Chile, a partnership that elevates the Center’s research contributions to the field. Using the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) camera—the largest digital camera ever built—the telescope will scan the sky for 10 years and produce an extraordinarily high-definition time-lapse record of the Universe, driving discoveries about dark energy, dark matter, galaxy formation, the structure of the solar system, and our transient universe. Most importantly, the Center helps bring these resources and expertise to bear on helping to train the next generation of astronomers whether they call Villanova home or whether they're down the road.
Center Director
Kelly Hambleton Prša
kelly.prsa@villanova.edu
OUR FACILITIES
Faculty, staff and students have access to a wide range of telescopes, observatories and more to aid their teaching, learning and research activities.
