astro-, astr-
(Greek: star, stars, star shaped; also pertaining to outer space)
astronomical constants
Precisely measured fundamental quantities; such as, solar parallax, the constant of aberration, and the obliquity of the ecliptic.
astronomical date
A date designated by year, month, day, and decimal fraction of a day.
astronomical distance
The distance of a celestial object from earth, given in any standard unit of astronomical measurement.
astronomical instrument
Any item used for the study of the positions, compositions, and movement of celestial bodies.
astronomical observatory
A building constructed to house astronomical instruments which allows people to observe objects in space.
An organization that conducts astronomical research through the use of such a structure.
The use of photographs to record extraterrestrial objects in order to study their surface features, positions, motions, radiation, ans spectra.
astronomical refraction
The bending of light or a ray of celestial radiation as it passes into the atmosphere from space.
astronomical scintillation
The twinkling of starlight caused by variations of refractivity in high-altitude layers of the earth's atmosphere.
A spectroscope in which the spectra of stars and other celestial objects are recorded on photographic film.
A spectroscope is an instrument for dispersing light; usually, light in the visible range, into a spectrum in order to measure it; such as, a continuous distribution of colored light produced when a beam of white light is dispersed into its components; for example, by a prism.
astronomical spectroscopy
The analysis of radiant energy emitted by celestial objects in order to gather data about physical and chemical properties of celestial objects; such as, density, temperature, and chemical composition.
astronomical telescope
1. A telescope used for observing extraterrestrial objects.
2. A telescope that collects, detects, or records electromagnetic radiation emitted from extraterrestrial sources.
2. A telescope that collects, detects, or records electromagnetic radiation emitted from extraterrestrial sources.
astronomical tidal constituent (noun), harmonic constituent, tidal constituent, constituent number (s); harmonic constituents, tidal constituents, constituent numbers (pl)
One of the harmonic elements in mathematical expressions and formulas for the forces and strong currents of the oceans: As an oceanographer, it was Hickory's responsibility to calculate the astronomical tidal constituent in the local harbor.
astronomical tide, astronomic tide
A tide caused by the attractive forces of the sun and moon, as opposed to a meteorological tide caused chiefly by the wind and atmospheric pressures.
astronomical time
1. The solar time in an astronomical day.
2. Any standard of time based on astronomical observations.
3. A system of time measurement formerly used by astronomers, based on solar time in a mean solar day beginning at noon, and superseded by civil time.
2. Any standard of time based on astronomical observations.
3. A system of time measurement formerly used by astronomers, based on solar time in a mean solar day beginning at noon, and superseded by civil time.
astronomical traverse
A line running across an area defined in surveying, located by observations of celestial bodies and subsequent computations.
Other "star" units: aster-, sidero-, stell-.
You may also see an extensive list of astronomy; astronomical terms at this Get Words site.