Astronomy departments in the University of Cambridge


The University of Cambridge has three large astronomy departments as follows:
There is frequent collaboration between departments as research interests overlap.
The Kavli Institute for Cosmology at Cambridge is operated jointly by the first two departments, with close connections to the third. It is located on the same site as the Institute of Astronomy. In 2013 the Cavendish Astrophysics group relocated to a new building, the Battcock Centre for Experimental Astrophysics, on the same site to foster further collaboration and integration.

History

Although Astronomy has been taught at the University of Cambridge since medieval times, the departmental structure has changed frequently, and all three of departments listed above were founded within the last two centuries.
The first astronomical observatory at the University of Cambridge was built at the top of Trinity College gatehouse in 1704.