astronomer

American  

[uh-stron-uh-mer] / əˈstrɒn ə mər /

noun

1. an expert in astronomy; a scientific observer of the celestial bodies.

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astronomer British  

/ əˈstrɒnəmə /

noun

1. a scientist who studies astronomy

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Etymology

Origin of astronomer

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English; see origin at astronomy, -er ¹

Explanation

A scientist who studies the objects in the sky, including planets, galaxies, black holes, and stars, is called an astronomer. These days, the terms astronomer and astrophysicist are used interchangeably, to talk about any physicist who specializes in celestial bodies and the forces that affect them. Astronomers use telescopes and cameras to observe the stars and other objects in the sky, and they often use complicated math to make predictions and solve puzzles about their movements and locations. The Greek root, astronomia, literally means "star arrangement."

Example Sentences

Scotland's Astronomer Royal, Catherine Heymans, speaking for the UK community of astronomers, told the science select committee that the proposed cuts were "genuinely catastrophic and will be devastating for the UK."

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Astronomer Amina Helmi also welcomed the findings, noting that the problem has challenged researchers for decades.

From Science Daily • Mar. 6, 2026

What’s important is that the ad was a win for Astronomer and, more critically, Paltrow.

From Salon • Dec. 22, 2025

Gwyneth Paltrow, who was once married to Chris Martin, even took part in a tongue-in-cheek promotional video for Astronomer.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

Indeed John Flamsteed, the Astronomer Royal, noted that there was ‘emulation’, and even bad blood, between Cassini, the established authority, and Rømer, the upstart.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• astrophysicist
• cosmologist