Astronomy
Study of space
Astronomy is the scientific study of celestial objects—stars, planets, moons, galaxies—and the universe as a whole.
It examines everything from the mechanics of our solar system to the structure and origins of the cosmos.
Unlike astrology, which claims celestial bodies influence human affairs, astronomy relies on observation, mathematics, and physics.
Amateur astronomers with backyard telescopes contribute alongside professionals at major observatories.
She studied astronomy hoping to work on the next Mars mission.
Instrument magnifying faraway objects
- observatoryFacility for celestial study
- stargazingObserving celestial bodies
- planetariumProjected sky exhibit hall
- binocularsHandheld dual-lens magnifier
night sky · celestial · viewing · eyepiece · aperture · magnification · light pollution · zenith
Luminous astronomical object
- planetStar-orbiting spherical body
- galaxyGravitationally bound stellar mass
- nebulaInterstellar gas formation
- cometIcy orbiting body
moon · constellation · cluster · quasar · pulsar · supernova · dwarf planet · meteor
Celestial belt of signs
- horoscopeZodiac-based fortune telling
- navigationDetermining position and course
- celestial navigationLocation-finding via astronomical observation
- calendarDate-tracking system
solstice · equinox · Stonehenge · mythology · star lore · almanac · lunar calendar
Study of universal structure
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
- redshiftWavelength stretch from recession
- parallaxPosition change from different vantages
- luminosityIntrinsic brightness of source
magnitude · orbital mechanics · Kepler · Copernicus · Galileo · Hubble · light-year · parsec
Celestial body blocks another
- meteor showerBurst of falling stars
- auroraAtmospheric light display
- transitMovement between places
- occultationCelestial body blocking another
conjunction · opposition · retrograde · solar flare · sunspot · lunar phase · planetary alignment · Leonid
telescope
Instrument magnifying faraway objects
- observatoryFacility for celestial study
- stargazingObserving celestial bodies
- planetariumProjected sky exhibit hall
binoculars · night sky · celestial · viewing · eyepiece · aperture · magnification · light pollution · zenith · horizon
star
Luminous astronomical object
- planetStar-orbiting spherical body
- galaxyGravitationally bound stellar mass
- nebulaInterstellar gas formation
comet · moon · constellation · cluster · quasar · pulsar · supernova · dwarf planet · meteor · binary star
zodiac
Celestial belt of signs
- horoscopeZodiac-based fortune telling
- navigationDetermining position and course
- celestial navigationLocation-finding via astronomical observation
calendar · solstice · equinox · Stonehenge · mythology · star lore · almanac · lunar calendar
cosmology
Study of universal structure
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
- redshiftWavelength stretch from recession
- parallaxPosition change from different vantages
luminosity · magnitude · orbital mechanics · Kepler · Copernicus · Galileo · Hubble · light-year · parsec · epoch
eclipse
Celestial body blocks another
- meteor showerBurst of falling stars
- auroraAtmospheric light display
- transitMovement between places
occultation · conjunction · opposition · retrograde · solar flare · sunspot · lunar phase · planetary alignment · Leonid · blood moon
- Science PublicationsScience, Scientific American, Popular Science, Evolution, Microbiology
- science magazinesScientific American, Popular Science, National Geographic, Smithsonian
- journalsjournals, journal, diary, diaries, personal diaries
Astronomyastrology
Divination by celestial positions
Astronomyparticle physics
Study of subatomic constituents
quantum mechanics · microscopy · nanotechnology · microbiology · molecular biology
Astronomygeology
Study of Earth's composition
earth science · geoscience · oceanography · speleology · geography
- astronomy clubGroup studying celestial bodies
- amateur astronomyRecreational celestial observation
- astronomical tablesComputed celestial coordinates listings
- radio astronomyAnalyzing cosmic electromagnetic emissions
- astronomical clockCelestial-tracking timekeeping mechanism
- astronomy classAcademic study of space
astronomer, astronomers, astronomical, astronomically, astronomic