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Astronomy (Greek: αστρονομία = άστρον + νόμος, astronomia = astron + nomos, literally, "law of the stars") is the science of celestial objects (e.g., stars, planets, comets, and galaxies) and phenomena that originate outside the Earth's atmosphere (e.g., auroras and cosmic background radiation). It is concerned with the evolution, physics, chemistry, and motion of celestial objects as well as the formation and development of the universe. Astronomical observations can be used to test fundamental theories in physics, such as general relativity. Theoretical astrophysics complements observational astronomy in that it seeks to explain astronomical phenomena.

Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences. Astronomers of ancient Greece practiced a scientific methodology, and advanced observation techniques may have been known much earlier (see archaeoastronomy). Historically, amateur astronomers have contributed to many important astronomical discoveries, and astronomy is one of the few sciences where amateurs can still play an active role, especially in the discovery and observation of transient phenomena.

Modern astronomy is not to be confused with astrology, the belief system that claims human affairs are correlated with the positions of celestial objects. Although the two fields share a common origin, they are fundamentally different: astronomers employ the scientific method, whereas astrologers do not.

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Astronomy and Space :: Science
Astronomy, Alternative :: Anomalies and Alternative Science
Physics :: Science
Space :: Technology

 
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NPR Topics: Space

Newly Discovered Planet Could Be A Watery World
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:00:00 -0500
The planet orbits a red dwarf star 40 light-years from our Earth, and its surface may be covered in water. But scientists say conditions on this planet would probably be too extreme to support life as we know it.
NASA Telescope To Spot Nearby Space Neighbors
Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:35:00 -0500
NASA is set to launch its new telescope, WISE, into Earth's orbit Monday. This sensitive infrared telescope is expected to detect previously hidden asteroids, including ones that might be threatening to smack into Earth.
Virgin Galactic To Unveil Commercial Spaceship
Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:12:00 -0500
SpaceShipTwo, a privately funded commercial passenger spacecraft, is set to make its public debut in the Mojave Desert after five years of secret construction. The project is bankrolled by Virgin Galactic founder, British billionaire Sir Richard Branson.
NASA Works To Free 'Spirit'
Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:00:00 -0500
The Mars exploration rover dubbed "Spirit" has been stuck in sand since April. NASA's project manager for the rovers, John Callas, describes attempts to free Spirit, and explains how the rover might continue to collect data from its present location if those attempts fail.
Particle Smasher Is Fired Up (Again)
Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:20:00 -0500
After being down for more than a year for repairs, the Large Hadron Collider at CERN is running again. Physicist Drew Baden explains what went wrong with the Collider, how it was fixed, and what scientists are hoping to find by smashing beams of particles into each other.
Shuttle Makes Safe Return To Earth
Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:04:00 -0500
Atlantis and its seven astronauts enjoyed a "picture perfect" touchdown Friday, ending an 11-day flight that resupplied the International Space Station. It was Atlantis' next-to-last mission and only five shuttle flights remain.

 
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Mysteries in Astronomy and Space Science - Article briefly discussing 21 topics.

Absolute Astronomy - Facts and statistical information about planets, moons, constellations, stars, galaxies, and Messier objects.
Meta Description: [ General facts and statistical information about planets, moons, constellations, stars, galaxies, and Messier objects. ]

An Atlas of the Universe - Contains 3D maps of the universe zooming out from the nearest stars to the scale of the galaxy and out to the surrounding superclusters and finally to the scale of the known universe.
Meta Description: [ Contains maps of the universe zooming out from the nearest stars to the entire visible universe. ]

Astronomical Applications Department, U.S. Naval Observatory - Computes the position, brightness, and other observable characteristics of celestial bodies, as well as the circumstances of astronomical phenomena. Includes information on calendars and related topics.
Meta Description: [ The Astronomical Applications Departmentof the U.S. Naval Observatory computes, from fundamental astronomicalreference data, the position, brightness, and other observablecharacteristics of celestial bodies, as well as the circumstancesof astronomical phenomena. This information is of criticalim... ]

Astronomical Pseudo-Science: A Skeptic's Resource List - List of links for those, who want to examine theories that are on the fringe of accepted scientific thought that are related connected to astronomy. A few examples are astrology, UFO's, the Face on Mars, and ancient astronaut theory.
Meta Description: [ The Astronomical Society of the Pacific is an international nonprofit scientific and educational organization founded in 1889 that works to increase understanding and appreciation of astronomy. ]

500 Astronomy Education and Outreach - General astronomy tutorial, education links, web courses, documents at the UCSD Center for Astrophysics and Space Sciences.
Meta Description: [ Gene Smith's Astronomy Tutorial - an introductory tutorial in Astronomy with links to sites for public information and astronomy/science education ]

Astronomy Facts and Trivia - Fun facts and trivia relating to astronomy, space, science fiction movies. Most trivia items are submitted by users.
Meta Description: [ Astronomy trivia questions and quizzes ]

Astronomy for All - Index with graphics and illustrations about stars, the Solar System, cosmology and Galileo.

Astronomy Forum - Message board.
Meta Description: [ Astronomy, Great Books Forums ]

Astronomy Net - Resources, searchable forums and searchable lists of organizations providing astronomy services.
Meta Description: [ The Astronomy Net contains articles, forums, clubs, vendors, manufacturers and other resources important to those interested in Astronomy. ]

Astronomy Online - Gives overview of the solar system, the Milky Way galaxy, extrasolar planets, cosmology and astrophotography. Includes images, additional resources, and forums.
Meta Description: [ Astronomy Information and Resources ]

Astronomy Today - Information and articles on astronomy, space and related topics. Also features a friendly forum and a telescope buyer's FAQ page.
Meta Description: [ Information and articles on astronomy, space and related topics. Also featuring a friendly forum and a monthly sky guide. ]

404 AstroWeb - Astronomical Internet resources by the Space Telescope Science Institute.

404 Australia Astro Site - Extensive resources for astronomy.
Meta Description: [ The VK2THN Homepage also known as the Australia Astro Site is the homepage of Paul Titze VK2THN [HACK.AU.] and is a personal gateway to the Net. It is also a resource for anyone to use. ]

Eric Weisstein's World of Astronomy - A web encyclopedia. Over 500 entries, ranging from definitions to full articles.
Meta Description: [ Eric Weisstein's World of Astronomy ]

Infrared Astronomy - All about infrared astronomy from NASA's infrared astronomy center: Discovery of infrared, what is infrared and infrared astronomy, history, the infrared universe, gallery, activities, discoveries, missions and a lot of links to IR astronomy sites.

Logarithmic Maps of the Universe - Show universe in terms of distance from Earth center. Includes such things as satellites, planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies, out to cosmic microwave background radiation from the Big Bang.

Stars and Planets - Information about interesting stars and planets in our galaxy, as well as astral bodies outside the Milky Way. Includes photos.
Meta Description: [ Informations about the most interesting stars in our galaxy and beyond, about our solar system and other galaxies. ]

The Naming of Stars - Leaflet from Royal Greenwich Observatory.

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Astron J e-First Articles - Astron J e-First Articles

NPR Topics: Space - Space

USATODAY.com Science and Space - Top Stories - USATODAY.com Science and Space - Top Stories

USATODAY.com Science and Space - Top Stories - USATODAY.com Science and Space - Top Stories

USATODAY.com Science and Space - Top Stories - USATODAY.com Science and Space - Top Stories

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