Astronomy Glossary
Key terms, methods, and interpretive vocabulary tied to this encyclopedia section.
A
Accretion Disk
A concise definition of accretion disk within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in black holes, neutron stars, and high-energy astronomy.
Adaptive Optics
A concise definition of adaptive optics within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in observatories, missions, and astronomical history.
Albedo
A concise definition of albedo within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in the solar system and small bodies.
Asteroid Belt
A concise definition of asteroid belt within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in the solar system and small bodies.
Astronomy
An accessible overview of Astronomy, covering what the field includes, how its main areas fit together, and why it matters in a connected encyclopedia.
B
Big Bang
A concise definition of big bang within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in cosmology and the early universe.
Biosignature
A concise definition of biosignature within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in exoplanets and planetary systems.
C
Cosmic Microwave Background
A concise definition of cosmic microwave background within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in cosmology and the early universe.
D
Dark Energy
A concise definition of dark energy within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in cosmology and the early universe.
Dark Matter Halo
A concise definition of dark matter halo within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in galaxies and the milky way.
Declination
A concise definition of declination within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in observational astronomy and skywatching.
E
Event Horizon
A concise definition of event horizon within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in black holes, neutron stars, and high-energy astronomy.
G
Galactic Halo
A concise definition of galactic halo within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in galaxies and the milky way.
Gravitational Wave
A concise definition of gravitational wave within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in black holes, neutron stars, and high-energy astronomy.
H
Habitable Zone
A concise definition of habitable zone within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in exoplanets and planetary systems.
I
Inflation
A concise definition of inflation within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in cosmology and the early universe.
K
Kuiper Belt
A concise definition of kuiper belt within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in the solar system and small bodies.
L
Luminosity
A concise definition of luminosity within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in stars and stellar evolution.
M
Magnitude
A concise definition of magnitude within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in observational astronomy and skywatching.
Main Sequence
A concise definition of main sequence within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in stars and stellar evolution.
O
Observational Astronomy
A guide to Observational Astronomy within Astronomy, outlining its meaning, major questions, and the related topics readers should explore next.
Observatory
A concise definition of observatory within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in observatories, missions, and astronomical history.
P
Perihelion
A concise definition of perihelion within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in the solar system and small bodies.
Planetary Science
A guide to Planetary Science within Astronomy, outlining its meaning, major questions, and the related topics readers should explore next.
Pulsar
A concise definition of pulsar within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in black holes, neutron stars, and high-energy astronomy.
R
Radial Velocity
A concise definition of radial velocity within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in exoplanets and planetary systems.
Red Giant
A concise definition of red giant within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in stars and stellar evolution.
Redshift
A concise definition of redshift within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in galaxies and the milky way.
Right Ascension
A concise definition of right ascension within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in observational astronomy and skywatching.
S
Sky Survey
A concise definition of sky survey within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in observatories, missions, and astronomical history.
Space Telescope
A concise definition of space telescope within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in observatories, missions, and astronomical history.
Spectroscopy
A concise definition of spectroscopy within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in observational astronomy and skywatching.
Spiral Arm
A concise definition of spiral arm within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in galaxies and the milky way.
Stars and Galaxies
A guide to Stars and Galaxies within Astronomy, outlining its meaning, major questions, and the related topics readers should explore next.
T
Transit Method
A concise definition of transit method within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in exoplanets and planetary systems.
W
White Dwarf
A concise definition of white dwarf within astronomy, explaining what the term means, where it is used, and how it connects to wider study in stars and stellar evolution.