معرفی
Dennis Zaritsky is a Professor in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Arizona and serves as Deputy Director and Astronomer at Steward Observatory. He was promoted to Regents Professor in 2025, the highest academic rank at the university, and has been a faculty member at UA since 2002. His research focuses on extragalactic astronomy and cosmology, with particular emphasis on galaxy formation and evolution.
Zaritsky earned his Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Arizona in 1991 and his B.S. in Physics with Honors from Caltech in 1986. His academic positions include Professor at Steward Observatory (2002-present), Associate Professor at Steward Observatory (1999-2002), and Assistant/Associate Professor at UC Santa Cruz's UCO/Lick Observatory (1994-1999). He was a Hubble Fellow at Carnegie Observatories from 1991-1994.
His research program includes leading a large survey of nearly a third of the sky for ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs), utilizing Sloan Digital Sky Survey data to study diffuse Halpha emission in galaxy halos, and collaborating on the Aspera satellite mission to explore the warm-hot phase of circumgalactic gas. He also works with Harvard's Charlie Conroy on compiling the largest sample of Milky Way halo stars to study our galaxy's accretion history. Recent publication trends show increasing focus on ultra-diffuse galaxies, Magellanic Cloud structures, and stellar halo kinematics.
- 2024 AAS Beatrice M. Tinsley Prize
- 2023 Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
- 2017 Galileo Circle Fellowship (U. Arizona)
- 2006 John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship
- 1999 AAS Newton Lacy Pierce Prize
- 1998 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship
- 1998 NSF CAREER Program Award
- 1997 David and Lucile Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering
- 1993 E.F. Fullam Award (Dudley Obs., New York) for Astron. & Astrophysics
- 1991 Hubble Fellowship
Professor Zaritsky has mentored numerous students and postdocs, including Huanian Zhang, and has secured significant research funding for his projects. His work on ultra-diffuse galaxies has established him as a leader in this field, with the SMUDGes and LIGHTS surveys representing major observational programs. At Steward Observatory, he contributes through leadership as Deputy Director (2012-2022, 2023-present) and active participation in observational programs using telescopes at Kitt Peak and other facilities. His research bridges theoretical astrophysics with cutting-edge observational techniques to address fundamental questions about galaxy formation and evolution.
