Editing Astronomy (section)

{{Short description|Scientific study of celestial objects}}
{{Hatnote group|{{About-distinguish-text|the scientific study of celestial objects|[[Astrology]], a divinatory pseudoscience}}{{Other uses}}}}
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[[File:Laser Towards Milky Ways Centre.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|The [[Paranal Observatory]] of [[European Southern Observatory]] shooting a [[laser guide star]] to the [[Galactic Center]]]]

'''Astronomy''' is a [[natural science]] that studies [[astronomical object|celestial objects]] and the [[phenomena]] that occur in the cosmos. It uses [[mathematics]], [[physics]], and [[chemistry]] in order to explain their origin and their overall [[chronology of the Universe|evolution]]. Objects of interest include [[planets]], [[natural satellite|moons]], [[star]]s, [[nebulae]], [[galaxy|galaxies]], [[meteoroid]]s, [[asteroid]]s, and [[comet]]s. Relevant phenomena include [[supernova]] explosions, [[gamma ray burst]]s, [[quasar]]s, [[blazar]]s, [[pulsar]]s, and [[cosmic microwave background radiation]]. More generally, astronomy studies everything that originates beyond [[atmosphere of Earth|Earth's atmosphere]]. [[Cosmology]] is a branch of astronomy that studies the [[universe]] as a whole.

Astronomy is one of the oldest natural sciences. The early civilizations in [[recorded history]] made methodical observations of the [[night sky]]. These include the [[Egyptian astronomy|Egyptians]], [[Babylonian astronomy|Babylonians]], [[Greek astronomy|Greeks]], [[Indian astronomy|Indians]], [[Chinese astronomy|Chinese]], [[Maya civilization|Maya]], and many ancient [[indigenous peoples of the Americas]]. In the past, astronomy included disciplines as diverse as [[astrometry]], [[celestial navigation]], [[observational astronomy]], and the making of [[calendar]]s.

Professional astronomy is split into [[observational astronomy|observational]] and [[theoretical astronomy|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 [[citizen science|active role]]. This is especially true for the discovery and observation of [[transient astronomical event|transient events]]. [[amateur astronomy|Amateur astronomers]] have helped with many important discoveries, such as finding new comets.