List of basic astronomy topics

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For a more comprehensive list, see the List of astronomy topics.

Basic topics in astronomy include:

Contents 1 Nature of astronomy 2 Branches of astronomy 3 History of astronomy 4 Basic astronomy concepts 5 Astronomy scholars 6 Leaders in astronomy 7 Astronomy lists 8 See also

[edit] Nature of astronomy

Main article: Astronomy

[edit] Branches of astronomy

The subdisciplines of astronomy are:

• Astrometry - the study of the position of objects in the sky and their changes of position. Defines the system of coordinates used and the kinematics of objects in our galaxy.
• Astrophysics - the study of physics of the universe, including the physical properties (luminosity, density, temperature, chemical composition) of astronomical objects.
• Cosmology - the study of the origin of the universe and its evolution. The study of cosmology is theoretical astrophysics at its largest scale.
• Galaxy formation and evolution - the study of the formation of the galaxies, and their evolution.
• Galactic astronomy - the study of the structure and components of our galaxy and of other galaxies.
• Extragalactic astronomy - the study of objects (mainly galaxies) outside our galaxy.
• Stellar astronomy - the study of the stars.
• Stellar evolution - the study of the evolution of stars from their formation to their end as a stellar remnant.
• Star formation - the study of the condition and processes that led to the formation of stars in the interior of gas clouds, and the process of formation itself.
• Planetary Sciences - the study of the planets of the Solar System.
• Astrobiology - the study of the advent and evolution of biological systems in the Universe.

Other disciplines that may be considered part of astronomy:

• Archaeoastronomy
• Astrochemistry
• Astrosociobiology
• Astrophilosophy

[edit] History of astronomy

Main article: History of astronomy

[edit] Basic astronomy concepts

Apollo -- Atmosphere -- Aurora -- Big Bang -- Biosphere -- Cosmos -- Doppler effect -- Earth -- Eclipse -- Galaxy -- Gallileo -- GPS -- Hydrosphere -- Jupiter -- Mars -- Mercury -- NASA -- Neptune -- Orbit -- Planet -- Pluto -- Radio telescope -- Rocket -- Satellite -- Saturn -- Solar system -- Space ship one -- Space shuttle -- Sun -- Star -- Telescope -- Universe -- Uranus -- Venus -- Voyager

[edit] Astronomy scholars

[edit] Leaders in astronomy

[edit] Astronomy lists

Main article: List of astronomy topics

[edit] See also

List resources
Basic topic lists • Topic lists • Reference tables • Countries • People • Timelines