An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A naturally occurring physical entity or association that lies beyond the Earth’s atmosphere and can be studied observationally. In other words, a gravitationally bound structure that is associated with a position in space,
but may consist of multiple independent astronomical objects. A list of astronomical objects includes → planets, → asteroids, → comets, → stars, → nebulae, galaxies (→ galaxy), → galaxy clusters, → pulsars, and → black holes. Note that → celestial body, → celestial object, and → heavenly body are less technical terms for these entities.

See also: → astronomical; → object.