astronomer

American  

[uh-stron-uh-mer] / əˈstrɒn ə mər /

noun

astronomers plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• astronomers
  plural

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

See Examples For:

astronomer astronomers

Built in Potsdam, Germany, for astronomer Erwin Finlay Freundlich to test the theory of relativity, the observatory’s curvaceous and flowing design captured the spirit of modern science.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

The team, led by University of Michigan astronomer Brooke Kotten, discovered an important clue in the star's chemical makeup.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 16, 2026

The idea was first proposed as a millennium project by local resident David Thomas, a retired teacher and amateur astronomer who wanted to create something that would inspire learning.

From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026

Roman, which took more than $4 billion and over a decade to build, is named after astronomer Nancy Grace Roman, nicknamed the "Mother of Hubble" for her role in developing the landmark space telescope.

From Barron's ● Apr. 22, 2026

Asked what was the purpose of life, he replied, “the investigation of the Sun, the Moon, and the heavens,” the reply of a true astronomer.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

But another important role of Jodrell Bank Observatory is training UK astronomers in the science of radio astronomy.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

The cut comes at a time when other countries are investing in their own national observatories to prepare for, what many astronomers believe will be, the dawn of a golden age in radio astronomy.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

To estimate its present distance, astronomers must use a cosmological model that accounts for how the universe has expanded over time.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 25, 2026

The result shows that astronomers can locate worlds by identifying the molecular fingerprints of their atmospheres instead of depending entirely on traditional coronagraphic imaging.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 23, 2026

Then, to the astonishment of many, including many astronomers, evidence was actually found for the existence of black holes in space.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• astrophysicist
• cosmologist