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Outline of space science
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<h2 id="branches-of-space-sciences">Branches of space sciences</h2> <h3>Astronomy</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Astronomy/0ArJVM1p">Astronomy</a></p> <p class="note">See also: <a href="/facts/Outline_of_astronomy/cychwW28">Outline of astronomy</a></p> <p>See <a href="/facts/Astronomical_object/BCHLa0Q2">astronomical object</a> for a list of specific types of entities which scientists study. See <a href="/facts/Earth%2527s_location_in_the_universe/gEpYhs8F">Earth's location in the universe</a> for an orientation. </p> <ul><li>Subfields of astronomy: <ul><li><a href="/facts/Astrophysics/krFPRWLA">Astrophysics</a> – branch of <a href="/facts/Astronomy/0ArJVM1p">astronomy</a> that deals with the <a href="/facts/Physics/a7aH2y08">physics</a> of the <a href="/facts/Universe/XbfpnDmM">universe</a>, including the physical properties of <a href="/facts/Astronomical_object/BCHLa0Q2">celestial objects</a>, as well as their interactions and behavior.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> Among the objects studied are <a href="/facts/Galaxy/zCyUvEf7">galaxies</a>, <a href="/facts/Star/PFbd6ICx">stars</a>, <a href="/facts/Planet/rbPjE6Bx">planets</a>, <a href="/facts/Exoplanet/zjfmqfUf">exoplanets</a>, the <a href="/facts/Interstellar_medium/mokU0WEz">interstellar medium</a> and the <a href="/facts/Cosmic_microwave_background/ThB2HkLS">cosmic microwave background</a>; and the properties examined include <a href="/facts/Luminosity/1tdhpk9l">luminosity</a>, <a href="/facts/Density/92p6hh9I">density</a>, <a href="/facts/Temperature/QyGe4gmj">temperature</a>, and <a href="/facts/Chemistry/SrNqkGVm">chemical</a> composition. The subdisciplines of theoretical astrophysics are: <ul><li><a href="/facts/Computational_astrophysics/azlGYkac">Computational astrophysics</a> – The study of astrophysics using computational methods and tools to develop computational models.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Plasma_astrophysics/LHah66mb">Plasma astrophysics</a> – studies properties of <a href="/facts/Plasma_(physics)/1d3btMVU">plasma</a> in outer space.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Space_physics/TfenH2xr">Space physics</a> – study of plasmas as they occur naturally in the Earth's upper atmosphere (aeronomy) and within the Solar System.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Solar_physics/9IsQIHJE">Solar physics</a> – Sun and its interaction with the remainder of the Solar System and interstellar space.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Astronomy/0ArJVM1p">Stellar astronomy</a> – concerned with <a href="/facts/Star_formation/SMyfVDY6">Star formation</a>, physical properties, <a href="/facts/Main_sequence/DJ3Wq8kd">main sequence</a> life span, <a href="/facts/Variable_star/Ac8mp2gy">variability</a>, <a href="/facts/Stellar_evolution/Qa4vAGmn">stellar evolution</a> and extinction.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Galactic_astronomy/DswSfrtT">Galactic astronomy</a> – deals with the structure and components of our galaxy and of other galaxies.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Extragalactic_astronomy/WtKKEWru">Extragalactic astronomy</a> – study of objects (mainly galaxies) outside our galaxy, including <a href="/facts/Galaxy_formation_and_evolution/uAPtXxr4">Galaxy formation and evolution</a>.</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Cosmology/yM19zM7Y">Cosmology</a> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Physical_cosmology/ww4ChbEq">Physical cosmology</a> – origin and evolution of the universe as a whole. The study of cosmology is theoretical astrophysics at its largest scale.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Cosmochemistry/dWzNMp2x">Chemical cosmology</a> - study of the chemical composition of matter in the universe and the processes that led to those compositions.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Quantum_cosmology/f1UIYIE6">Quantum cosmology</a> – the study of cosmology through the use of <a href="/facts/Quantum_field_theory/VoewsNJV">quantum field theory</a> to explain phenomena <a href="/facts/General_relativity/jVsoIg8X">general relativity</a> cannot due to limitations in its framework.</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Planetary_Science/ocX6rp0d">Planetary Science</a> – study of planets, moons, and planetary systems. <ul><li><a href="/facts/Atmospheric_science/HKjTA3F4">Atmospheric science</a> – study of atmospheres and weather.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Planetary_geology/7C3FXCe9">Planetary geology</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Planetary_oceanography/uckThwLf">Planetary oceanography</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Exoplanetology/RpGsQceL">Exoplanetology</a> – various planets outside of the Solar System</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Astrochemistry/8eBtNcbI">Astrochemistry</a> – studies the abundance and reactions of molecules in the Universe, and their interaction with radiation.</li></ul></li></ul> <ul><li>Interdisciplinary studies of astronomy: <ul><li><a href="/facts/Astrobiology/GS1tFhrf">Astrobiology</a> – studies the advent and <a href="/facts/Evolution/Hj0qAaBk">evolution</a> of <a href="/facts/Biological_system/yKqVbaxu">biological systems</a> in the universe.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Space_biology/GS1tFhrf">Space biology</a> – studies to build a better understanding of how spaceflight affects living systems in spacecraft, or in ground-based experiments that mimic aspects of spaceflight<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a></li> <li>Space chemistry – Reactions of elements to form more complex compounds, such as amino acids, are key to the study of chemistry in space.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Astrobotany/njWTWN2X">Astrobotany</a> – Sub-discipline of botany that is the study of plants in space environments.</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Archaeoastronomy/6yE1gmmg">Archaeoastronomy</a> – studies ancient or traditional astronomies in their cultural context, utilizing archaeological and anthropological evidence.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Space_archaeology/9emUjJz8">Space archaeology</a> – the study of human artifacts in outer space</li> <li><a href="/facts/Forensic_astronomy/cD2gGARc">Forensic astronomy</a> – the use of astronomy, the scientific study of celestial objects, to determine the appearance of the sky at specific times in the past.</li></ul></li></ul> <ul><li>Techniques used in astronomical research: <ul><li><a href="/facts/Theoretical_astronomy/4EjXwswq">Theoretical astronomy</a> – mathematical modelling of celestial entities and phenomena</li> <li><a href="/facts/Astrometry/9ycEEAvD">Astrometry</a> – study of the position of objects in the sky and their changes of position. Defines the system of coordinates used and the <a href="/facts/Kinematics/o7mSyeJA">kinematics</a> of objects in our galaxy.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Photometry_(astronomy)/fnV9JdSa">Photometry</a> – study of how bright celestial objects are when passed through different filters</li> <li><a href="/facts/Spectroscopy/mj71FuNK">Spectroscopy</a> – study of the spectra of astronomical objects</li> <li><a href="/facts/Observational_astronomy/PKgYt9PX">Observational astronomy</a> – practice of observing celestial objects by using telescopes and other astronomical apparatus. <a href="/facts/Observatory/y0FVg7vS">Observatories</a> on the ground as well as <a href="/facts/Space_observatory/BtI46sDX">space observatories</a> take measurements of celestial entities and phenomena. It is concerned with recording data. The subdisciplines of <a href="/facts/Observational_astronomy/PKgYt9PX">observational astronomy</a> are generally made by the specifications of the detectors: <ul><li><a href="/facts/Radio_astronomy/TdjF4LgL">Radio astronomy</a> – >300 μm</li> <li><a href="/facts/Submillimetre_astronomy/BAydzm8W">Submillimetre astronomy</a> – 200 μm to 1 mm</li> <li><a href="/facts/Infrared_astronomy/WEmAadyf">Infrared astronomy</a> – 0.7–350 μm</li> <li><a href="/facts/Optical_astronomy/bbfzMHAn">Optical astronomy</a> – 380–750 nm</li> <li><a href="/facts/Ultraviolet_astronomy/X4Y86Wg7">Ultraviolet astronomy</a> – 10–320 nm</li> <li><a href="/facts/High-energy_astronomy/WuJkQtDt">High-energy astronomy</a> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Cosmic_ray_astronomy/5HlHU0AP">Cosmic ray astronomy</a> - charged particles with very high kinetic energy</li> <li><a href="/facts/X-ray_astronomy/KAQ6WxgQ">X-ray astronomy</a> – 0.01–10 nm</li> <li><a href="/facts/Gamma-ray_astronomy/s59YdwaX">Gamma-ray astronomy</a> – <0.01 nm</li> <li><a href="/facts/Neutrino_astronomy/vdFoyHKu">Neutrino astronomy</a> – <a href="/facts/Neutrino/yGWVfSg2">Neutrinos</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Gravitational_wave_astronomy/eJGxCvdl">Gravitational wave astronomy</a> – <a href="/facts/Graviton/MVJUBjek">Gravitons</a></li></ul></li></ul></li></ul> <h3>Astronautics</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Astronautics/uT1nlI0F">Astronautics</a></p> <p class="note">Further information: <a href="/facts/Aerospace_engineering/2Ib02w7f">Aerospace engineering</a></p> <p class="note">See also: <a href="/facts/Outline_of_aerospace/6fWWy1XL">Outline of aerospace</a></p> <p>The science and engineering of <a href="/facts/Spacefaring/zPrnATzo">spacefaring</a> and <a href="/facts/Spaceflight/zPrnATzo">spaceflight</a>, a subset of <a href="/facts/Aerospace_engineering/2Ib02w7f">Aerospace engineering</a> (which includes atmospheric flight) </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Space_technology/pr29hUH3">Space technology</a> is technology for use in outer space, in travel or other activities beyond Earth's atmosphere, for purposes such as spaceflight, space exploration, and Earth observation. <ul><li><a href="/facts/Spaceflight/zPrnATzo">Spaceflight</a> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Human_spaceflight/VgVxsGmq">Human spaceflight</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Outline_of_space_exploration/Se4tkgCK">Outline of space exploration</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Space_architecture/Ixk7omuu">Space architecture</a> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Life-support_system/noqF51sS">Life-support system</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Space_station/2HtaLbDH">Space station</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Space_Habitation_Module/9NvjVomA">Space Habitation Module</a></li></ul></li></ul></li></ul> <ul><li>Life in space <ul><li><a href="/facts/Bioastronautics/won6sAYb">Bioastronautics</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Animals_in_space/JCHcht6C">Animals in space</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/List_of_microorganisms_tested_in_outer_space/dlrGg0zh">Microorganisms tested in outer space</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Plants_in_space/qEcSAVMA">Plants in space</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Human_presence_in_space/nVmsJkaS">Humans in space</a> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Women_in_space/jxIKqYe5">Women in space</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Effect_of_spaceflight_on_the_human_body/fjXCjCXH">Effect of spaceflight on the human body</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Sleep_in_space/UGjIA5DN">Sleep in space</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Space_food/8LkTvsRM">Food in space</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Space_medicine/5uKsDa1A">Medicine in space</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Neuroscience_in_space/R0BFr3NL">Neuroscience in space</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Writing_in_space/8aJYqGvU">Writing in space</a></li></ul></li></ul></li></ul> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Space_Sciences_Laboratory/9w4ftAa6">Space Sciences Laboratory</a> – research facility at the University of California, BerkeleyPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback – University of California, Berkeley</li> <li><a href="/facts/Space-based_economy/0t9Reh3b">Space-based economy</a> – Economic activity in space</li> <li><a href="/facts/Commercial_use_of_space/bX1aJup2">Commercial use of space</a> – Economic activities related to space <ul><li><a href="/facts/Space_manufacturing/5zoFkz5x">Space manufacturing</a> – Production of manufactured goods in an environment outside a planetary atmosphere</li> <li><a href="/facts/Space_tourism/fMK9CcnM">Space tourism</a> – Human space travel for recreation</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Space_warfare/IgTrM0bV">Space warfare</a> – Combat that takes place in outer space <ul><li><a href="/facts/Alien_invasion/fD66lRPH">Alien invasion</a> – Common theme in science fiction stories and film</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Asteroid-impact_avoidance/VafHAlfG">Asteroid-impact avoidance</a> – Methods to prevent destructive asteroid hitsPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets</li> <li><a href="/facts/Space_law/l4Cxunqm">Space law</a> – Area of national and international law governing activities in outer space</li> <li><a href="/facts/Remote_sensing/pj2crmGs">Remote sensing</a> – Acquisition of information at a significant distance from the subject</li> <li><a href="/facts/Planetarium/QJYTXFYj">Planetarium</a> – Theatre that presents educational and entertaining shows about astronomy</li> <li><a href="/facts/Centennial_Challenges/vMw3l3fP">Centennial Challenges</a> – NASA space competition inducement prize contests NASA prize contests</li> <li><a href="/facts/Space_and_survival/gguERyor">Space and survival</a> – Idea that spacefaring is necessary for long-term human survival</li> <li><a href="/facts/Space_colonization/3xUDzls1">Space colonization</a> – Concept of permanent human habitation outside of Earth</li> <li><a href="/facts/Space_industry/yjYlzIsA">Space industry</a> – Activities related to manufacturing components that go into Earth's orbit or beyond</li> <li><a href="/facts/Timeline_of_artificial_satellites_and_space_probes/9YfLLXqS">Timeline of artificial satellites and space probes</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Batteries_in_space/q0QTRRGF">Batteries in space</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Control_engineering/5ckfXmB8">Control engineering</a> – Engineering discipline that deals with control systems</li> <li><a href="/facts/Corrosion_in_space/lS6hf5HF">Corrosion in space</a> – Corrosion of materials occurring in outer space</li> <li><a href="/facts/Nuclear_power_in_space/fgMCeMsu">Nuclear power in space</a> – Space exploration using nuclear energy</li> <li><a href="/facts/Space_observatory/BtI46sDX">Observatories in space</a> – Instrument in space to study astronomical objectsPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets</li> <li><a href="/facts/Orbital_mechanics/oB3tqNG9">Orbital mechanics</a> – Field of classical mechanics concerned with the motion of spacecraft</li> <li><a href="/facts/Robotic_spacecraft/Frlbbkvu">Robotic spacecraft</a> – Spacecraft without people on boardPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets</li> <li><a href="/facts/Space_environment/n0aPSKMS">Space environment</a> – Study of how space conditions affect spacecraft</li> <li><a href="/facts/Space_logistics/3D6pBpHD">Space logistics</a> – Logistics for space travel</li> <li><a href="/facts/Space_technology/pr29hUH3">Space technology</a> – Technology developed for use in Space exploration <ul><li><a href="/facts/Space-based_radar/Dv4Bjyn6">Space-based radar</a> – Use of radar systems mounted on satellites</li> <li><a href="/facts/Space-based_solar_power/sQsRh0VI">Space-based solar power</a> – Concept of collecting solar power in outer space and distributing it to Earth</li> <li><a href="/facts/Spacecraft_design/KKdrUxgV">Spacecraft design</a> – for <a href="/facts/Launch_vehicle/g1GCGFJB">launch vehicles</a> and <a href="/facts/Satellite/PTX8c68t">satellites</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Spacecraft_propulsion/KmpMGU9u">Spacecraft propulsion</a> – Method used to accelerate spacecraft</li></ul></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> Wikimedia Commons has media related to Space science. <ul><li><a href="http://www.ist.edu.pk/">Institute of Space Technology, Pakistan</a></li> <li><a href="https://science.hq.nasa.gov/">Space Sciences @ NASA</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.esa.int/export/esaSC/index.html">Space Sciences @ ESA</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120124045909/http://www.iist.ac.in/">INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.spacescience.org">Space Sciences Institute</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20070418150218/http://www.spacescience.ir/">Space Science & Technology</a> (in Persian) – an Iranian nongovernmental group who writes scientific articles about Space Science & Technology</li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"Space science – Define Space science", Dictionary.com <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/space+science" target="_blank">http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/space+science</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"Space science – Definition of space science", Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/space+science" target="_blank">http://www.thefreedictionary.com/space+science</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"astrophysics". Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Retrieved 2011-05-22. <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astrophysics" target="_blank">http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astrophysics</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"Space Biology Program | Science Mission Directorate". <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/biological-physical/programs/space-biology" target="_blank">https://science.nasa.gov/biological-physical/programs/space-biology</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"Space chemistry | Science & Technology in Action". <a href="http://sta.ie/lesson/space-chemistry" target="_blank">http://sta.ie/lesson/space-chemistry</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>