"Astronomy is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena."
The study of celestial objects including stars, planets, and galaxies.
Astronomy basics: This includes understanding the celestial sphere, constellations, and the motions of the Sun, Moon, and planets.
Telescopes and observatories: Understanding how telescopes work and the different types of observatories is crucial when studying Astronomy.
Galactic and extragalactic astronomy: Learning about our own Milky Way galaxy and other galaxies in the universe, including their properties and evolution.
Cosmology: This branch of Astronomy looks at the larger structures of the universe, such as the Big Bang, dark matter and energy, and the fate of the universe.
Planetary science: Focuses on the study of planets, including their formation, geology, and atmospheres.
Astrobiology: The study of life in the universe, including the search for extraterrestrial life and the conditions necessary for life to exist.
Astrophysics: Using the laws of physics to understand the behavior of celestial objects.
Astrochemistry: Studying the chemistry of celestial objects, including the formation of molecules and their interactions.
Astrogeology: Studying the geology and composition of celestial bodies such as moons, asteroids, and comets.
Time and coordinates: Understanding how time and coordinates are used in Astronomy to locate celestial objects and measure their movements.
Stellar evolution: Studying how stars form, how they age, and the various stages they go through in their lifetime.
Black holes: Learning about these mysterious objects and their properties, including their effects on nearby objects.
Gravitational waves: Understanding how these ripples in space-time can reveal information about celestial objects such as black holes.
Exoplanets: Learning about planets that orbit other stars and the methods used to detect them.
Astronomical data analysis: The tools and techniques used to analyze and interpret data from telescopes and observatories.
History of Astronomy: Understanding the contributions of early astronomers and the development of our understanding of the universe.
Astrophysics: This branch of astronomy deals with the study of the physical properties, behavior and interactions of celestial bodies and the universe as a whole.
Planetary science: Planetary science comprises the study of the structure, composition and evolution of planets and other heavenly bodies, including comets, asteroids and moons.
Stellar astronomy: It is the study of stars, their formation, evolution, and the processes involved in their lifecycle, including nuclear fusion and supernova explosions.
Galactic astronomy: This involves the study of the Milky Way galaxy, including its structure, properties, and evolution.
Cosmology: This branch of astronomy studies the origin, evolution, and large-scale structure of the universe.
High-energy astrophysics: It is the study of the universe at high energy levels, including the properties of cosmic rays, gamma rays, and X-rays.
Exoplanetary science: Exoplanetary science is the study of planets outside our solar system, including their atmospheres, composition, and potential for habitability.
Astrobiology: Astrobiology explores the possibility of life in the universe, including the search for habitable planets and the study of the conditions necessary for life to exist.
Astrochemistry: Astrochemistry is the study of the chemical processes that occur in space, including the formation of molecules necessary for life.
Astroinformatics: This is the study of the development and application of computational techniques to astronomy and astrophysics research.
"In the past, astronomy included disciplines as diverse as astrometry, celestial navigation, observational astronomy, and the making of calendars."
"Objects of interest include planets, moons, stars, nebulae, galaxies, meteoroids, asteroids, and comets."
"Relevant phenomena include supernova explosions, gamma ray bursts, quasars, blazars, pulsars, and cosmic microwave background radiation."
"Cosmology is a branch of astronomy that studies the universe as a whole."
"The early civilizations in recorded history made methodical observations of the night sky. These include the Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, Indians, Chinese, Maya, and many ancient indigenous peoples of the Americas."
"Professional astronomy is split into observational and theoretical branches."
"Observational astronomy is focused on acquiring data from observations of astronomical objects."
"This data is then analyzed using basic principles of physics."
"Theoretical astronomy is oriented toward the development of computer or analytical models to describe astronomical objects and phenomena."
"These two fields complement each other. Theoretical astronomy seeks to explain observational results and observations are used to confirm theoretical results."
"Astronomy is one of the few sciences in which amateurs play an active role."
...such as finding new comets.
"It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and evolution."
"Amateur astronomers have helped with many important discoveries, such as finding new comets."
"More generally, astronomy studies everything that originates beyond Earth's atmosphere."
"Cosmology is a branch of astronomy that studies the universe as a whole."
"These include the Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, Indians, Chinese, Maya, and many ancient indigenous peoples of the Americas."
"Objects of interest include planets, moons, stars, nebulae, galaxies, meteoroids, asteroids, and comets."
"Relevant phenomena include supernova explosions, gamma ray bursts, quasars, blazars, pulsars, and cosmic microwave background radiation."