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== Branches of space sciences == === Astronomy === {{Main|Astronomy}} {{See also|Outline of astronomy}} [[File:The Celestial Zoo infographic wikimedia.png|thumb|right|350px|The diversity found in the different types and scales of astronomical objects make the field of study increasingly specialized.]] [[File:CMB Timeline300 no WMAP.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A proposed timeline of the origin of space, from [[physical cosmology]]]] See [[astronomical object]] for a list of specific types of entities which scientists study. See [[Earth's location in the universe]] for an orientation. * Subfields of astronomy: ** [[Astrophysics]] β branch of [[astronomy]] that deals with the [[physics]] of the [[universe]], including the physical properties of [[astronomical object|celestial object]]s, as well as their interactions and behavior.<ref>{{cite web | title=astrophysics | publisher=Merriam-Webster, Incorporated | url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astrophysics | access-date=2011-05-22 }}</ref> Among the objects studied are [[galaxy|galaxies]], [[star]]s, [[planet]]s, [[exoplanet]]s, the [[interstellar medium]] and the [[cosmic microwave background]]; and the properties examined include [[luminosity]], [[density]], [[temperature]], and [[chemistry|chemical]] composition. The subdisciplines of theoretical astrophysics are: *** [[Computational astrophysics]] β The study of astrophysics using computational methods and tools to develop computational models. *** [[Plasma astrophysics]] β studies properties of [[Plasma (physics)|plasma]] in outer space. *** [[Space physics]] β study of plasmas as they occur naturally in the Earth's upper atmosphere (aeronomy) and within the Solar System. *** [[Solar physics]] β Sun and its interaction with the remainder of the Solar System and interstellar space. *** [[Astronomy#Stellar astronomy|Stellar astronomy]] β concerned with [[Star formation]], physical properties, [[main sequence]] life span, [[variable star|variability]], [[stellar evolution]] and extinction. *** [[Galactic astronomy]] β deals with the structure and components of our galaxy and of other galaxies. *** [[Extragalactic astronomy]] β study of objects (mainly galaxies) outside our galaxy, including [[Galaxy formation and evolution]]. ** [[Cosmology]] *** [[Physical cosmology]] β origin and evolution of the universe as a whole. The study of cosmology is theoretical astrophysics at its largest scale. *** [[Cosmochemistry|Chemical cosmology]] - study of the chemical composition of matter in the universe and the processes that led to those compositions. *** [[Quantum cosmology]] β the study of cosmology through the use of [[quantum field theory]] to explain phenomena [[general relativity]] cannot due to limitations in its framework. ** [[Planetary Science]] β study of planets, moons, and planetary systems. *** [[Atmospheric science]] β study of atmospheres and weather. *** [[Planetary geology]] *** [[Planetary oceanography]] *** [[Exoplanetology]] β various planets outside of the Solar System ** [[Astrochemistry]] β studies the abundance and reactions of molecules in the Universe, and their interaction with radiation. * Interdisciplinary studies of astronomy: ** [[Astrobiology]] β studies the advent and [[evolution]] of [[biological system]]s in the universe. ** [[Space biology]] β studies to build a better understanding of how spaceflight affects living systems in spacecraft, or in ground-based experiments that mimic aspects of spaceflight<ref>{{cite web | url=https://science.nasa.gov/biological-physical/programs/space-biology | title=Space Biology Program | Science Mission Directorate }}</ref> ** [[Space chemistry]] β Reactions of elements to form more complex compounds, such as amino acids, are key to the study of chemistry in space.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://sta.ie/lesson/space-chemistry | title=Space chemistry | Science & Technology in Action }}</ref> *** [[Astrobotany]] β Sub-discipline of botany that is the study of plants in space environments. ** [[Archaeoastronomy]] β studies ancient or traditional astronomies in their cultural context, utilizing archaeological and anthropological evidence. ** [[Space archaeology]] β the study of human artifacts in outer space ** [[Forensic astronomy]] β the use of astronomy, the scientific study of celestial objects, to determine the appearance of the sky at specific times in the past. * Techniques used in astronomical research: ** [[Theoretical astronomy]] β mathematical modelling of celestial entities and phenomena ** [[Astrometry]] β 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. ** [[Photometry (astronomy)|Photometry]] β study of how bright celestial objects are when passed through different filters ** [[Spectroscopy]] β study of the spectra of astronomical objects ** [[Observational astronomy]] β practice of observing celestial objects by using telescopes and other astronomical apparatus. [[Observatory|Observatories]] on the ground as well as [[Space observatory|space observatories]] take measurements of celestial entities and phenomena. It is concerned with recording data. The subdisciplines of [[observational astronomy]] are generally made by the specifications of the detectors: *** [[Radio astronomy]] β >300 ΞΌm *** [[Submillimetre astronomy]] β 200 ΞΌm to 1 mm *** [[Infrared astronomy]] β 0.7β350 ΞΌm *** [[Optical astronomy]] β 380β750 nm *** [[Ultraviolet astronomy]] β 10β320 nm *** [[High-energy astronomy]] **** [[Cosmic ray astronomy]] - charged particles with very high kinetic energy **** [[X-ray astronomy]] β 0.01β10 nm **** [[Gamma-ray astronomy]] β <0.01 nm **** [[Neutrino astronomy]] β [[Neutrino]]s *** [[Gravitational wave astronomy]] β [[Graviton]]s === Astronautics === {{Main article|Astronautics}} {{further|Aerospace engineering}} {{see also|Outline of aerospace}} [[File:Piers Sellers spacewalk.jpg|thumb|250px|Astronaut Piers Sellers during the third spacewalk of [[STS-121]], a demonstration of orbiter heat shield repair techniques]] The science and engineering of [[spacefaring]] and [[spaceflight]], a subset of [[Aerospace engineering]] (which includes atmospheric flight) * [[Space technology]] is technology for use in outer space, in travel or other activities beyond Earth's atmosphere, for purposes such as spaceflight, space exploration, and Earth observation. **[[Spaceflight]] *** [[Human spaceflight]] *** [[Outline of space exploration]] ** [[Space architecture]] *** [[Life-support system]] *** [[Space station]] *** [[Space Habitation Module]] * Life in space ** [[Bioastronautics]] ** [[Animals in space]] ** [[List of microorganisms tested in outer space|Microorganisms tested in outer space]] ** [[Plants in space]] ** [[Human presence in space|Humans in space]] *** [[Women in space]] *** [[Effect of spaceflight on the human body]] *** [[Sleep in space]] *** [[Space food|Food in space]] *** [[Space medicine|Medicine in space]] *** [[Neuroscience in space]] *** [[Writing in space]]
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