Branches and Types of Astronomy

Study Notes

Astrophysics: Study of the physical nature of celestial objects and phenomena
Planetary Science: Study of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other objects in our solar system
Astrobiology: Study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and fate of life in the universe

Observational Astronomy: Study of celestial objects using observations and data collection
Theoretical Astronomy: Study of celestial objects using mathematical models and simulations
Computational Astronomy: Study of celestial objects using computational models and algorithms

Stars: Massive balls of hot, glowing gas
- Life Cycle: Protostar, Main Sequence, Red Giant, White Dwarf, Neutron Star, or Black Hole
- Types: O, B, A, F, G, K, M (based on surface temperature)
Galaxies: Massive, gravitationally bound systems of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter
- Types: Spiral, Elliptical, Irregular
Planets: Large, rocky or gaseous bodies orbiting stars
- Terrestrial: Rocky, Earth-like planets
- Jovian: Gas giant planets

Telescopes: Optical, Radio, X-ray, and Gamma-ray telescopes to observe celestial objects
Spectroscopy: Study of the interaction between light and matter
Space Missions: Satellites and spacecraft to study celestial objects up close
Astrometry: Measurement of the position, distance, and motion of celestial objects

Galileo Galilei: First to observe the heavens with a telescope, discovered four moons of Jupiter
Isaac Newton: Developed laws of motion and universal gravitation
William Herschel: Discovered Uranus, first to observe binary stars
** Edwin Hubble**: Discovered expansion of the universe, introduced concept of dark energy

Astrophysics studies the physical nature of celestial objects and phenomena
Planetary Science focuses on planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other objects in our solar system
Astrobiology explores the origin, evolution, distribution, and fate of life in the universe

Observational Astronomy involves studying celestial objects through observations and data collection
Theoretical Astronomy uses mathematical models and simulations to study celestial objects
Computational Astronomy relies on computational models and algorithms to analyze celestial objects

Stars are massive balls of hot, glowing gas
A star's life cycle typically includes: Protostar, Main Sequence, Red Giant, White Dwarf, Neutron Star, or Black Hole
Stars are classified into types O, B, A, F, G, K, M based on surface temperature
Galaxies are massive, gravitationally bound systems consisting of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter
Galaxies come in three main types: Spiral, Elliptical, and Irregular
Planets are large, rocky or gaseous bodies orbiting stars
Terrestrial planets are rocky, Earth-like planets
Jovian planets are gas giant planets

Telescopes, including Optical, Radio, X-ray, and Gamma-ray types, are used to observe celestial objects
Spectroscopy studies the interaction between light and matter
Space Missions involve satellites and spacecraft to study celestial objects up close
Astrometry involves measuring the position, distance, and motion of celestial objects

Galileo Galilei was the first to observe the heavens with a telescope and discovered four moons of Jupiter
Isaac Newton developed laws of motion and universal gravitation
William Herschel discovered Uranus and was the first to observe binary stars
Edwin Hubble discovered the expansion of the universe and introduced the concept of dark energy