CAR carries out research on a broad range of key science questions in astronomy.

The expertise of our researchers, and our research programmes, mainly focus on observational astronomy, and span the electromagnetic spectrum from X-rays to radio wavelengths. We study many size scales, ranging from the properties of dust grains, up through stars and exoplanets through to entire galaxies and clusters of galaxies in the near- and high-redshift Universe. Survey astronomy is a particular strength. Our computing facilities also permit extensive in-house computer modelling and simulation.

A number of projects are jointly supported by CAR and the Centre for Atmospheric and Climate Physics (CACP), based on our shared strengths in light scattering and instrumentation.