Astronomy is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and evolution. Objects of interest include planets, moons, stars, nebulae, galaxies, and comets. Relevant phenomena include supernova explosions, gamma ray bursts, quasars, blazars, pulsars, and cosmic microwave background radiation. More generally, astronomy studies everything that originates outside Earth’s atmosphere. Cosmology is a branch of astronomy that studies the universe as a whole.
Astronomy is one of the oldest natural sciences. The early civilizations in recorded history made methodical observations of the night sky. These include the Babylonians, Greeks, Indians, Egyptians, Chinese, Maya, and many ancient indigenous peoples of the Americas. In the past, astronomy included disciplines as diverse as astrometry, celestial navigation, observational astronomy, and the making of calendars. Nowadays, professional astronomy is often said to be the same as astrophysics.
Professional astronomy is split into observational and theoretical branches. Observational astronomy is focused on acquiring data from observations of astronomical objects. This data is then analyzed using basic principles of physics. Theoretical astronomy is oriented toward the development of computer or analytical models to describe astronomical objects and phenomena. These two fields complement each other. Theoretical astronomy seeks to explain observational results and observations are used to confirm theoretical results.
Astronomy is one of the few sciences in which amateurs play an active role. This is especially true for the discovery and observation of transient events. Amateur astronomers have helped with many important discoveries, such as finding new comets.
See also: Astrology, Astrophilately
Articles
- Collecting Stars on Stamps — Astronomy for the beclouded astronomer
- Cosmos Diary: African Imagery of the Skies
- Cosmic philately: the joy of collecting space and astronomy stamps
- Physics Today: Exploring astronomy through philately
- Postal Museum: Stamps and Space
Blogs
Dealers
- Aerophilately & Astrophilately (Space Stamps)
- Astrophilately
- Astronomy on Stamps: Astronomy Study Unit
- Astro Space Stamp Society
- Space Philately
Websites
- Astro Space Stamp Society
- Federation Internationale de Philatelie – Astrophilately
- Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Aérophilatéliques
- Space Topic Study Unit
YouTube
- British Thematic Association: Exploring Astronomy and Space through Philately
- Conversations with Philatelists: Episode 13 – David S. Ball on Astrophilately
- Eclectic Philatelist: Planet Mars – Celebrating Human Achievements
- NTSC Presents: Exploring Astronomy & Space Through Philately
- StampCat Stamps: Total Eclipse of the Stamp -Canadas New Solar Stamp Issue
