astronomy

noun

as·tron·o·my | \ə-ˈsträ-nə-mē

plural astronomies

Definition of astronomy

: the study of objects and matter outside the earth's atmosphere and of their physical and chemical properties

The Difference Between Astronomy and Astrology Example Sentences Learn More about astronomy

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The Difference Between Astronomy and Astrology

Some may find it easy to confuse astronomy and astrology. At one time, these two words actually were synonymous (that is, astronomy once meant what astrology means today), but they have since moved apart from each other. In current use, astronomy is concerned with “the study of objects and matter outside the earth's atmosphere,” while astrology is the purported divination of how stars and planets influence our lives. Put bluntly, astronomy is a science, and astrology is not.

Examples of astronomy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As curator of Griffith Observatory, Danly develops exhibits, planetarium shows, and public programs about astronomy. — Hans Aschim, Harper's BAZAAR, "Three Women in Science Who Broke the Glass Ceiling," 5 Oct. 2018 The digital Planetarium shows films about astronomy, space flight, and the constellations, plus Aboriginal tales of the cosmos. — Sophie Davies, Condé Nast Traveler, "15 Best Museums in Sydney," 23 Mar. 2018 Bonadurer was working at the Minneapolis Planetarium in August 2003 when the rarity of seeing Mars the closest to Earth in 60,000 years drew hordes of stargazers to parks, museums, planetariums and astronomy clubs around the world. — Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Night sky brings a treat this month as Mars is the brightest it has been in 15 years," 13 July 2018 The return of astronomy to the Observatory is a symbolic continuation of the U.K.’s scientific legacy. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Now That the Smog Has Lifted, Astronomy Returns to London’s Royal Observatory," 28 June 2018 Carrie Spano, coordinator of curriculum for science, said the new space will have room for 10 science labs along with the astronomy dome. — Janice Neumann, Daily Southtown, "Marist High School plans to turn monastery into science labs, planetarium," 27 June 2018 Chapman and Morrison gathered together experts in astronomy, physics and geology to study the problem. — Nina Burleigh, Newsweek, "We Can Save Ourselves From Earth-Killing Asteroids, But Someone Has to Pay," 11 June 2015 Tom Solomon is professor of physics and astronomy at Bucknell University. — Tom Solomon, Washington Post, "GPAs don’t really show what students learned. Here’s why.," 15 June 2018 But still, the Board of Longitude wasn’t ready to call him a winner and ordered another test run — this time to Barbados, against two teams using methods that relied on astronomy rather than timepieces. — Rachel Becker, The Verge, "John Harrison’s super-accurate clock helped solve the longitude puzzle," 3 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'astronomy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.