About Scientific Research at STScI

The scientific staff at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) lead world-class investigations that touch every aspect of modern day astrophysics, from observations to theory to data modeling to instrumentation. Their work spans a range of research areas, including the characteristics of our solar system, the habitability of exoplanets, the physics of stellar processes, supernova cosmology as a probe of the expansion rate of the universe, the formation and evolution of galaxies, the demographics and cosmic evolution of massive black holes, and the history of the cosmos as revealed by large-scale structure. They also make use of the world’s flagship observatories, on the ground and in space, which cover the electromagnetic spectrum, from the gamma-ray and X-ray through the sub-millimeter and radio, resulting in hundreds of articles in peer-reviewed journals each year.

STScI's Science Mission Office (SMO) works to enable research, both within the institute and in the astronomical community. This team maintains the internal science infrastructure for STScI research staff, and is responsible for external science policy issues, including the support of the Space Telescope Users Committees, and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) telescope allocation processes.

Research Resources

Andromeda Galaxy

Research Groups at STScI

Research Groups at STScI

Get acquainted with the research groups, teams, or collaborations led by STScI research staff members. Find out who to contact, the outstanding research questions these researchers address, and the techniques and facilities they use. Direct links to seminars, journal clubs, related missions, instruments employed, and publications by each group are also available.

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This composite image shows the size and location of the Smith Cloud on the sky.

Research Topics and Programs

Research Topics and Programs

Learn about the research projects STScI staff create and contribute to, including the Solar System and exoplanets; stars and the interstellar medium; galaxies, the intergalactic medium and cosmology; instrumentation; and future space telescopes.

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Star forming region N11

Research Staff Directory

Research Staff Directory

STScI staff constantly collaborate with partners around the world to conduct research, and publish and present their work. Review our staff directory to find new, or familiar, co-investigators.

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This composite shows the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant across the spectrum.

Fellowships

Fellowships

STScI works with partners to administer fellowship opportunities to promising postdoctoral scientists working in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics, or planetary science. Opportunities include the NASA Hubble Fellowship Program (NHFP), the Giacconi Fellowship, the Lasker Data Science Fellowship, the Exoplanet Science Fellowship, the STScI Postdoctoral Fellowship, the Davidsen Fellowship, the ESA Research Fellowship, and the Brinson Prize Fellowship.

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Solar system with water vapor (artist concept)

Events

Events

Review a list of upcoming workshops, conferences, and events hosted at STScI in Baltimore, Maryland, including a colloquium series, CoolSci@STScI, HotSci@STScI, and journal and research groups.

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Science News

Additional Resources