Astronomy & Space vocabulary · Telescopes & Observation
Astronomer
Meaning in astronomy & space, with examples
/əˈstrɑːnəmər/nounCore term
In astronomy & space, astronomer means: A scientist who studies stars, planets, galaxies and other objects in space, usually by observing them and analysing the data.
In Turkish: gökbilimci, astronom
How it is used
Used for professionals and, with 'amateur', for hobbyists. Related job titles are 'astrophysicist' and 'planetary scientist'. Science news often begins with 'Astronomers have discovered...'.
Example sentences
Astronomers have found a new moon orbiting Saturn.
An amateur astronomer in Australia was the first to spot the new comet.
Common collocations
amateur astronomer
professional astronomer
team of astronomers
radio astronomer
Related terms
telescopeAn instrument that collects light or other radiation from distant objects with lenses, mirrors or antennas, so that faint and far-away things can be seen and studied.
observatoryA building or site with telescopes and instruments for observing the sky. Many large observatories are built on high, dry mountains far from city lights.
spectroscopyThe study of light by splitting it into its colours, or spectrum. The dark and bright lines in a spectrum reveal an object's chemical make-up, temperature and motion.
astronomical unitA unit of distance equal to the average distance between Earth and the Sun, about 149.6 million kilometres. It is usually written AU or au.
