Astronomical objects are significant
physical entities, associations or structures which current
science has demonstrated to exist in
outer space. This does not necessarily mean that science will not disprove their existence in the future. Some astronomical objects, such as
Themis and
Neith are, in light of more recent findings, considered not to exist at all. Others, like
Pluto and
Ceres, prove to be of an entirely different nature than first expected. In these cases, the
scientific community must come to a consensus as to the new status of these objects. Astronomical objects thought to exist based on indirect scientific evidence are considered
hypothetical.
The term
astronomical object is sometimes used interchangably with
astronomical body. Typically an astronomical body refers to a single, cohesive structure that is bound together by gravity (and sometimes by electromagnetism). Examples include the
asteroids,
moons,
planets and
stars. Astronomical objects are gravitationally-bound structures that are associated with a position in space, but may consist of multiple independent astronomical bodies or objects. These objects range from single planets to
star clusters,
nebulae or entire galaxies. A
comet may be described as a body, in reference to the frozen nucleus of ice and dust, or as an object, when describing the nucleus with it's diffuse coma and tail. The terms
astronomical objects and
astronomical bodies differ from
celestial objects and
celestial bodies only in that the latter terms do not include the
Earth.
The table below lists the general categories of objects by their location or structure.
See also
als:Himmelskörperar:جرم سماويast:Oxetu astronómicube-x-old:Астранамічны аб'ектbr:Korf-egorbg:Астрономически обектca:Objecte astronòmicda:Himmellegemede:Astronomisches Objektdsb:Astronomiski objektet:Taevakehael:Ουράνιο σώμαes:Objeto astronómicoeo:Astroeu:Argizagifr:Objet célestefy:Himellichemgl:Obxecto astronómicoko:천체hr:Nebesko tijelois:Stjarnfræðilegt fyrirbæriit:Oggetto celestehe:גרם שמיםka:ციური სხეულიsw:Gimba la anganilv:Astronomisks objektslb:Himmelskierperhu:Égitestmr:खगोलीय वस्तूms:Objek astronominl:Hemellichaamja:天体no:Himmellegemepl:Ciało niebieskiept:Corpo celestequ:Hawa pacha pachankaro:Corp cerescru:Астрономический объектsk:Astronomický objektsl:Astronomsko telosr:Небеско телоfi:Taivaankappalesv:Himlakroppth:วัตถุท้องฟ้าuk:Астрономічні об'єктиur:اجرام فلکیvi:Thiên thểvls:Hemellichoamzh:天体