astronomy

/əˈstrɑnəmi/

/æˈstrɒnəmi/

Other forms: astronomies

Astronomy is the science that looks up: at stars, at other planets, at solar systems, at galaxies, and at everything else in the universe.

The Ancient Greeks used the word astron for "star," so it only makes sense that astronomy would involve the study or the stars (and other unearthly topics). Someone who studies or works in astronomy is an astronomer, and one of the main tools of the trade is the telescope. As telescopes get more and more powerful, astronomers learn more and more about what's going on out there, such as how old a star or planet is. If you ever wondered what's out there besides the Earth, you should learn more about astronomy.

Definitions of astronomy

1. noun

   the branch of physics that studies celestial bodies and the universe as a whole
   synonyms: uranology

   types:

   astrodynamics

   the branch of astronomy that studies the motion of natural and artificial bodies in space

   astrometry

   the branch of astronomy that deals with the measurement of the position and motion of celestial bodies

   radio astronomy

   the branch of astronomy that detects and studies the radio waves emitted by celestial bodies

   celestial mechanics

   the branch of astronomy concerned with the application of Newton's laws of motion to the motions of heavenly bodies

   astrophysics

   the branch of astronomy concerned with the physical and chemical properties of celestial bodies

   selenology

   the branch of astronomy that deals with the moon

   solar physics

   the branch of astronomy that deals with the sun

   cosmogeny, cosmogony, cosmology

   the branch of astrophysics that studies the origin and evolution and structure of the universe

   type of:

   natural philosophy, physics

   the science of matter and energy and their interactions