astronomy
noun
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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
Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024
Now a student at a major research university, he’s been channeling this interest into the study of physics and astronomy.
—Leslie Camhi, Travel + Leisure, 30 Mar. 2024
How an eclipse can inspire a career in the sciences
Thomas Hockey, a professor of astronomy at the University of Northern Iowa, remembers his first eclipse experience fondly.
—Lee V. Gaines, NPR, 25 Mar. 2024
Bradley Schaefer, a professor astronomy at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, said in most pre-modern cultures, the sun god was among the most powerful deities in the pantheon.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024
Jay Ryan, an astronomy enthusiast and a writer, remembers being 8 years old in 1970, when an eclipse traveled up the Eastern Seaboard.
—Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024
The celestial phenomenon is said to be a beautiful sight, but will astronomy lovers and visitors to Kentucky actually be able to see it?
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 4 Apr. 2024
So there's going to be a lot of astronomy and science, which is great for nerds like me who love that.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
In addition to being a highly respected educator, renowned for his deep knowledge of astronomy from both an Indigenous and a Western approach, Buck is an elder and ceremonial leader for the Cree, one of Canada’s largest First Nations groups.
—Lise Pedersen, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'astronomy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near astronomy
Cite this Entry
“Astronomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astronomy. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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astronomy
noun
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