Astronomy is the study of everything beyond Earths atmosphere, including objects we can see with our naked eyes, like the Sun, the Moon, the planets, and the stars, as well as objects we can only see with telescopes or other instruments, like faraway galaxies and tiny particles. It is one of the oldest scientific disciplines that has evolved from the humble beginnings of counting stars and charting constellations with the naked eye to the impressive showcase of modern telescopes and space probes. Astronomers aim to answer fundamental questions about our universe through theory and observation.

Here are some key points about astronomy:

• Scope: Astronomy encompasses the study of all extraterrestrial objects and phenomena, including the solar system, the stars that make up the Milky Way Galaxy, and other, more distant galaxies.

• Branches: Astronomy is divided into several sub-fields, including astrophysics, astrometry, astrogeology, and astrobiology. Astrophysics applies the principles of physics to astronomy, while astrometry maps celestial bodies. Astrogeology examines rocks, terrain, and material in space, and astrobiology searches for life outside Earth.

• Difference from astrology: Astronomy is a science that studies everything outside of the Earths atmosphere, while astrology is the belief that the positioning of the stars and planets affect the way events occur on Earth.

• Methods: Professional astronomy is split into observational and theoretical branches. Observational astronomy is focused on acquiring data from observations of astronomical objects, while theoretical astronomy is oriented toward the development of computer or analytical models to describe astronomical objects and phenomena.

In summary, astronomy is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena beyond Earths atmosphere, using mathematics, physics, and chemistry to explain their origin and evolution.