Dr. Thomas H. Puzia

Unlocking the History
of Stars and Galaxies
Across Cosmic Time

Dr. Thomas H. Puzia, is professor of astrophysics at the Institute of Astrophysics, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Together with his research team he studies galaxy formation and evolution, stellar populations and their chemical enrichment histories. More recently he worked on interstellar objects, planet system evolution, and astrobiology.
He has build HPC platforms, developed next-generation data analysis pipelines, and leads international panchromatic survey projects that push the frontiers of modern astronomy.

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Dr. Thomas H. Puzia

Research Fields

Next-Generation Galaxy Surveys

We lead wide-field panchromatic surveys of baryonic overdensities in the Local Universe from their highest density cores to their virial radii and beyond.

Galaxy Formation and Evolution

We study the formation, evolution, and processes that drive the hierarchical growth, star formation and morphological transformations of galaxies over cosmic time.

Compact Stellar Systems

We analyze the properties of globular cluster systems, nuclear star clusters and ultra-compact dwarfs to understand their formation and role in galaxy assembly.

Stellar Population Synthesis

We use advanced spectroscopic and photometric techniques to derive detailed physical and chemical properties of stellar systems across different galaxy types.

Planetary Systems in Galaxies

We explore the processes that formed our Solar System and other exoplanet systems and study interstellar objects like 3I/ATLAS using observations and numerical simulations.

Data Analysis and Instrumentation

We develop state-of-the-art data reduction and analysis pipelines and contribute to new instrumentation for major observatories, enabling new astronomical discoveries.

Recent Publications

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Teaching & Mentoring

Training and supporting the next generation of astronomers.

Graduate Courses

  • Adv. Extragalactic Astrophysics (ASP 9300)
  • Galactic Astronomy (FIM 9509)
  • Frontiers in Astrophysics (FIM 9001)

Undergraduate Courses

  • Introduction to Astronomy (AST 0111)
  • Introduction to Data Analysis (FIA 0212)
  • Astrobiology (ASP 5022)

Research Team

Postdoctoral Fellows

  • Prasanta Nayak - Nuclear Star Clusters, BSSs

Graduate Students

  • Rohan Rahatgaonkar - Neighborhood Watch
  • Juan Pablo Carvajal - Dwarf Galaxy Evolution
  • Baltasar Luco - Surface Brightness Fluctuations
  • Arun Pillai - The Nature of 'Little Red Dots'

Undergraduate Students

  • Catalina Muga - Planetary Orbit Harmonics
  • Gabriel Espina - Stellar Populations in Fornax

Public Outreach

Sharing the wonders of the universe with the broader community.

Golden Webinars in Astrophysics

I have created this YouTube lecture series to present frontier research in astronomy and cosmology through invited talks by leading scientists, including Nobel, Gruber and Shaw laureates. Since its launch in June 2020, the programme has attracted a global audience of hundreds of thousands, earned commendation from Nature, and hosted eminent speakers such as James Peebles, Didier Queloz and Stephen Wolfram, establishing itself as a distinguished platform for scholarly exchange.

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Eclipse Livestreams

Eclipses are mesmerizing phenomena. Our Eclipse Livestreams is a bilingual YouTube series that provides real-time, high-definition coverage of solar and lunar eclipses via mobile telescopes deployed at prime observing sites across South America. Since its 2017 debut, the program has partnered with NASA, ALMA, timeanddate.com and other collaborators, incorporating expert commentary, inclusive sonification and educational resources, and has attracted audiences in the tens of millions worldwide.

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Foster Observatory

The Foster Observatory opens the historic 0.93 m Manuel Foster telescope on Cerro San Cristóbal in the heart of Santiago for bilingual weekend open-houses and scheduled night sessions, allowing visitors to experience Chile’s first professional astrophysical observatory and National Monument up close. Reopened to the public in June 2022, the programme welcomes thousands of attendees annually through guided heritage tours and live stargazing events.

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Contact

Contact Info

Prof. Dr. Thomas H. Puzia
Institute of Astrophysics
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860
7820436, Macul
Santiago, Chile
Email: tpuzia@uc.cl
Phone: +56-2-2354-1645
Office Hours: by appointment only

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