Outline of Astronomy - Branches of Astronomy

Branches of Astronomy

• Astrophysics – branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior. Among the objects studied are galaxies, stars, planets, exoplanets, the interstellar medium and the cosmic microwave background; and the properties examined include luminosity, density, temperature, and chemical composition. The subdisciplines of theoretical astrophysics are:
  • Astrobiology – studies the advent and evolution of biological systems in the universe.
  • Compact objects – this subdiscipline studies very dense matter in white dwarfs and neutron stars and their effects on environments including accretion.
  • Exoplanet studies – various planets outside of the Solar System
  • Physical cosmology – origin and evolution of the universe as a whole. The study of cosmology is theoretical astrophysics at its largest scale.
  • Galactic astronomy – deals with the structure and components of our galaxy and of other galaxies.
  • High energy astrophysics – studies phenomena occurring at high energies including active galactic nuclei, supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, quasars, and shocks.
  • Interstellar astrophysics – study of the interstellar medium, intergalactic medium and dust.
  • Extragalactic astronomy – study of objects (mainly galaxies) outside our galaxy, including Galaxy formation and evolution.
  • Stellar astronomy – concerned with Star formation, physical properties, main sequence life span, variability, stellar evolution and extinction.
  • Plasma astrophysics – studies properties of plasma in outer space.
  • Relativistic astrophysics – studies effects of special relativity and general relativity in astrophysical contexts including gravitational waves, gravitational lensing and black holes.

• Planetary Science – study of the planets of the Solar System.
  • Atmospheric science – study of atmospheres and weather.
  • Planetary formation – formation of planets and moons in the context of the formation and evolution of the Solar System.
  • Planetary rings – dynamics, stability, and composition of planetary rings
  • Solar physics – Sun and its interaction with the remainder of the Solar System and interstellar space.
  • Magnetospheres – magnetic fields of planets and moons
  • Planetary surfaces – surface geology of planets and moons
  • Planetary interiors – interior composition of planets and moons
  • Small Solar System bodies – smallest gravitationally bound bodies, including asteroids, comets, and Kuiper belt objects.

The subdisciplines of observational astronomy are generally made by the specifications of the detectors:

• Radio astronomy – Above 300 µm
• Submillimetre astronomy – 200 µm to 1 mm
• Infrared astronomy – 0.7–350 µm
• Optical astronomy – 380–750 nm
• Ultraviolet astronomy – 10–320 nm
• X-ray astronomy – 0.01–10 nm
• Gamma-ray astronomy – Below 0.01 nm
• Cosmic ray astronomy – Cosmic rays, including plasma
• Neutrino astronomy – Neutrinos
• Gravitational wave astronomy – Gravitons

General techniques for astronomical research are also convenient ways of dividing the field:

• Photometry – study of how bright celestial objects are when passed through different filters
• Spectroscopy – study of the spectra of astronomical objects
• Astrometry – study of the position of objects in the sky and their changes of position. Defines the system of coordinates used and the kinematics of objects in our galaxy.

Other disciplines that may be considered part of astronomy:

• Archaeoastronomy –
• Astrochemistry –