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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Physics and Astronomy - Twitter Search

@robots_ I feel that way about music and maths and physics and astronomy, I love them can read about them and rant, but not actually do.
Gailoh (Gail ) Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:47:37 -0000
@robots_ I feel that way about music and maths and physics and astronomy, I love them can read about them and rant, but not actually do.
out Katy (cousin) was very alike me when she was my age. She even liked physics + astronomy. xD And the snow there was beautiful. :)
Sarahcvc (Sarah) Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:30:48 -0000
out Katy (cousin) was very alike me when she was my age. She even liked physics + astronomy. xD And the snow there was beautiful. :)
Physics and astronomy is so cool! Gonna watch the tesla coil show now :)
chippyz (Sheryl Liu) Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:27:06 -0000
Physics and astronomy is so cool! Gonna watch the tesla coil show now :)
RT @astroengine: My take on the UK physics and astronomy funding mess: http://bit.ly/5rWR07 #STFC
philipstobbart (Philip Stobbart) Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:19:21 -0000
RT @astroengine: My take on the UK physics and astronomy funding mess: http://bit.ly/5rWR07 #STFC
@calibeep RT @astroengine: My take on the UK physics and astronomy funding mess: http://bit.ly/5rWR07 #STFC
eeekster (Rick ) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 22:05:52 -0000
@calibeep RT @astroengine: My take on the UK physics and astronomy funding mess: http://bit.ly/5rWR07 #STFC
My take on the UK physics and astronomy funding mess: http://bit.ly/5rWR07 #STFC
astroengine (Dr Ian O'Neill) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:57:41 -0000
My take on the UK physics and astronomy funding mess: http://bit.ly/5rWR07 #STFC

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