astronomy

[ uh-stron-uh-mee ]

noun

1. the science that deals with the material universe beyond the earth's atmosphere.

astronomy

/ əˈstrɒnəmɪ /

noun

1. the scientific study of the individual celestial bodies (excluding the earth) and of the universe as a whole. Its various branches include astrometry, astrodynamics, cosmology, and astrophysics

astronomy

/ ə-strŏn′ə-mē /

1. The scientific study of the universe and the objects in it, including stars, planets, nebulae, and galaxies. Astronomy deals with the position, size, motion, composition, energy, and evolution of celestial objects. Astronomers analyze not only visible light but also radio waves, x-rays, and other ranges of radiation that come from sources outside the Earth's atmosphere.

astronomy

1. The science that deals with the universe beyond the Earth . It describes the nature, position, and motion of the stars , planets , and other objects in the skies, and their relation to the Earth.

Word History and Origins

Origin of astronomy¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English astronomie, from Anglo-French, from Latin astronomia, from Greek; equivalent to astro- + -nomy

Word History and Origins

Origin of astronomy¹

C13: from Old French astronomie, from Latin astronomia, from Greek; see astro- , -nomy

Example Sentences

When scientists discovered water and a chemical compound common in RNA on a rock from the asteroid Ryugu, astronomy fans and laypeople alike held their collective breath for the chance of extraterrestrial life.

From Salon

The tapestry and astrolabes are with several great manuscripts in “Astral Light,” built around the study of astronomy.

From Los Angeles Times

The board had just sworn in its newest members, including an astronomy professor from the University of California, Los Angeles, named Ben Zuckerman.

From Salon

“I was taking classes in astronomy and anthropology,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times

“It was so obvious that the number of satellite trails is just way way up since I started doing astronomy,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• astrophysics