This thesis explores the theoretical and observational properties of distant massive galaxies that harbour active black holes in their centres and shine brightly at radio wavelengths.

After graduation you have a lot of opportunities: academics are highly sought after in Dutch secondary education or mbo teaching. You can also aim for a management position or work as a researcher within the field of Astronomy.

With an ever-increasing amount of data generated worldwide, industry, governments and academia highly welcome professionals with specific knowledge and skills to handle big data.

The specialisation enables you to understand the fundamentals of management and entrepreneurship alongside high quality astronomical research at a world class institute.

To be eligible for Astronomy Research at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.

The Astronomy Research specialisation includes various advanced astronomy courses that you can choose from each year.

The broad scope of the Astronomy and Instrumentation specialisation provides you with an MSc level training highly sought after by employers, not only in astronomical instrumentation, but also in other areas of high-tech instrumentation development.

The Astronomy and Science Communication and Society programme trains you in practical and theoretical aspects of science communication alongside high quality astronomical research at a world class institute.

No more lectures and exams for the Radio Astronomy course taught by Michiel Brentjens. The corona crisis is a moment of reflection that has changed his whole way of teaching. Instead of being in front of the class, he lets his students build a radio telescope with paint cans.

Do you have questions about the Master’s specialisation Astronomy and Data Science? Please contact us!

Do you have questions about the master’s specialisation Astronomy and Cosmology? Please contact us.

Do you have questions about the master’s specialisation Astronomy Research? Please contact us.

Do you have questions about the Astronomy master’s programme? Please contact us.

With a master’s degree in Astronomy you are well prepared for jobs in research, industry and the public sector, including technological, financial and consultancy companies, research institutes, governments and science communication organizations.

Do you have questions about the Master’s specialisation Astronomy and Instrumentation? Please contact us.

With a master’s degree in Astronomy you are well prepared for jobs in research, industry and the public sector, including technological, financial and consultancy companies, research institutes, governments and science communication organizations.

Do you have questions about the Master’s specialisation Astronomy and Education? Please contact us.

With a master’s degree in Astronomy you are well prepared for jobs in research, industry and the public sector, including technological, financial and consultancy companies, research institutes, governments and science communication organisations.

Many students receive their first job offer during or right after their Business Studies internship. After graduating you can also aim for a career in Astronomy research.

To be eligible for Astronomy and Education at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.

I have studied the hot, diffuse gas around and between galaxies. Specifically, I have used the EAGLE numerical simulations of galaxy formation to predict the properties of this gas, and I have used those properties to predict specific observables: soft X-ray absorption and emission lines.

Large areas of space are filled by molecular clouds that consist of gas and dust grains that are the remnants of dead stars. When these clouds start collapsing, the decreasing temperature and increasing density cause gas particles to start accreting onto dust grain surfaces.

We have conducted a full spectral line survey of the 3-13 micron region of two massive protostars, AFGL 2591 and AFGL 2136, for the first time at high spectral resolution.

The SRON space research institute currently located in Utrecht will be relocating to South Holland. The institute, which constructs highly advanced technological instruments for astronomy research and for research on exoplanets, will relocate to new premises adjacent to Leiden University's Science Campus.…

Leiden Observatory provides full education programmes in Astronomy both at the bachelor’s and master’s level. We integrate world-class scientific research and excellent education. Read all about our study programmes!

Astronomers at Leiden University have discovered the first planets using a new instrument: the planet hunter MASCARA. This instrument, developed at Leiden Observatory, looks specifically for planet transitions around the brightest stars in the sky, which surprisingly enough have so far have hardly been…

The Astronomy and Instrumentation courses go beyond astronomy and space applications to enable you to use your knowledge and skills in adjacent areas of science and technology, including the development of instrumentation for environmental and medical applications.

The Astronomy and Data Science master’s programme offers a coherent combination of relevant courses from the Astronomy and Computer Science curricula and two hands-on research projects.

Find out how to apply for Astronomy and Cosmology at Leiden University by following our step-by-step guide.

Find out how to apply for Astronomy Research at Leiden University by following our step-by-step guide.

Find out how to apply for Astronomy and Instrumentation at Leiden University by following our step-by step guide.

Find out how to apply for Astronomy and Education at Leiden University by following our step-by-step guide.

Find out how to apply for Astronomy and Data Science at Leiden University by following our step-by-step guide.

Find out how to apply for Astronomy and Science Communication and Society at Leiden University by following our step-by step guide.

Find out how to apply for Astronomy and Business Studies at Leiden University by following our step-by-step guide.

To be eligible for Astronomy and Cosmology at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.

To be eligible for Astronomy and Instrumentation at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.

To be eligible for Astronomy at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.

To be eligible for Astronomy and Business Studies at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.

Four different astronomical societies are active in the Old Observatory. We are very proud of the commitment these associations show to organize activities.

To be eligible forAstronomy and Data Science at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.

Astronomers want to understand the Universe, from the Big Bang to the present day, and what the future will hold. In Leiden they focus on two key questions: ‘How did stars and planets originate’ and ‘How were galaxies and black holes formed in the young Universe?’ A new generation of telescopes – just…

The Dutch-Japanese made DESHIMA instrument has passed its first practical tests when measuring the distances and ages of distant galaxies. The core of the instrument is a chip the size of two euro coins that measures 49 shades of far infrared light. The developers of the spectrometer publish the results…

She left Leiden after her PhD and now, 14 years later, she returns as Professor of Extragalactic Astronomy. Mariska Kriek investigates how galaxies originate and evolve. And she is eagerly awaiting the launch for the new James Webb telescope: ‘The coolest things we are going to find are those we’re…

The Astronomy & Society Group provides the focus for Leiden Observatory’s aim to engage the public with the wonders of the universe and share the scientific, technological, cultural and educational aspects of astronomy with society.

This is an Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility project of the Faculty of Science with three universities in Colombia.

By effectively integrating word-class scientific research and excellent education, you will become a professional astronomer with an internationally recognized degree.

This is an Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility project of Leiden University’s Faculty of Science with two Colombian universities, Universidad Nacional de Colombia and Universidad de Antioquia.