Dennis Zaritsky, PhD

2025 Regents Professor

Zaritsky is an observational astronomer whose work focuses on galaxy structure and evolution. Recognized as one of the most innovative thinkers and researchers in the field of astronomy, his accomplishments include using dwarf galaxies to map the distribution of dark matter in the Milky Way and other galaxies.

Zaritsky's most influential work includes co-authoring the paper "A Direct Empirical Proof of the Existence of Dark Matter" and co-authoring a set of four papers providing the first maps showing the stars and dust in the two largest satellite galaxies of the Milky Way: the Small Magellanic Cloud and Large Magellanic Cloud.

Zaritsky's many honors include the 2024 Beatrice M. Tinsley Prize from the American Astronomical Society, awarded biennially for an outstanding research contribution to astronomy or astrophysics. He also won the society's 1999 Newton Lacy Pierce Prize, awarded annually for outstanding achievement in observational astronomical research by a scientist under 36 years old, and a 2006 John Simon Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship.

Zaritsky serves as deputy director of the university's Steward Observatory and recently completed a six-year term as chair of the Giant Magellan Telescope Science Advisory Council.