Astrophysics (Index)About

Brief Items



2MASS Photometric Redshift Catalog
(2MPZ)
(galaxy redshifts from 2MASS)
(catalog,galaxies,redshift)
(See: Two Micron All-sky Survey (2MASS))
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2014ApJS..210....9B/abstract
 

8 pc
(survey of stars within 8 parsecs, using coronagraph)
(survey,stars)
PrefixExample  
8pc8pc 163.51 

https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2001AJ....121.2189O/abstract
 

A Broadband Imaging X-ray All-sky Survey
(ABRIXAS)
(failed 1999 space mission)
(space,failed,German,X-ray,all sky)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABRIXAS
 

AAS Job Register
(directory of astrophysics jobs)
(site,astronomy,database,USA)
(See: American Astronomical Society (AAS))
https://jobregister.aas.org/
 

abiotic
(produced by something other than life)
(terminology)
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/abiotic

Referenced by pages:
abiotic oxygen
glycine (Gly)
Lego principle
methane (CH4)
phosphorus (P)

 

Accelerating Space Commerce, Exploration, and New Discovery
(ASCEND)
(AIAA interest group)
(organization)
(See: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA))
 

ADC Backend For Bolometer Array
(ABBA)
(APEX instrument)
(instrument)
(See: Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX))
http://www.apex-telescope.org/backends/
 

ADDGALS
(Adding Density Dependent Galaxies to Lightcone Simulations)
(method of galaxy mock-catalog creation)
(simulations)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2022ApJ...931..145W/abstract
 

Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere
(AIM)
(spacecraft to study upper Earth atmosphere)
(NASA,spacecraft,Earth,atmosphere)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeronomy_of_Ice_in_the_Mesosphere
http://aim.hamptonu.edu/
 

Air Force Geophysics Laboratory
(AFGL)
(merged into the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL))
(organization,past,USA)
 

Algonquin Radio Observatory
(ARO)
(46 meter radio telescope)
(telescope,radio,Canada)
PrefixExample  
AROARO 11or PN ARO 11

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algonquin_46m_radio_telescope
 

Amateur Astronomers Association of New York
(AAA)
(American organization)
(organization,USA)
https://www.aaa.org/
 

Amateur Telescope Making
(ATM)
(abbreviation for the activity)
(astronomy)
 

American Astronomical Society
(AAS)
(American organization)
(organization,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Astronomical_Society
https://aas.org/

Referenced by pages:
AAS Job Register
Committee on the Status of Women in Astronomy (CSWA)
HEAD
LAD
Working Group on Accessibility and Disability (WGAD)

 

American Geophysical Union
(AGU)
(US organization)
(organization,USA,geophysics)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Geophysical_Union
http://agu.org/
 

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
(AIAA)
(society of engineers)
(organization,technology)

Referenced by page:
Accelerating Space Commerce, Exploration, and New Discovery (ASCEND)

 

American Meteor Society
(AMS)
(meteor-science promotion organization)
(organization,meteors,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Meteor_Society
https://www.amsmeteors.org/
 

American Museum of Natural History
(AMNH)
(NYC museum carrying out research including astrophysics)
(organization,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Museum_of_Natural_History
https://www.amnh.org/
 

American National Standards Institute
(ANSI)
(USA standards organization)
(organization,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_National_Standards_Institute
https://www.ansi.org/
 

American Physical Society
(APS)
(American physics organization)
(organization,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Physical_Society
https://www.aps.org/
 

American Workshop on Cometary Astronomy
(AWCA)
(renamed to be international, i.e., IWCA)
(meeting,comets,past)
 

AMES Research Center
(ARC)
(NASA lab in silicon valley)
(organization,NASA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ames_Research_Center
https://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct/about_us/network/arc.html
 

AMOS
(Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference)
(abbreviation,meeting)
https://amostech.com/
 

angular diameter
(apparent diameter)
(diameter of astronomical object in terms of its angle across the sky)
(measure,astronomy)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angular_diameter

Referenced by page:
dwarf galaxy

 

anomalistic year
(planet's time between successive periapses)
(orbits,celestial mechanics)
(See: periapsis)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year#Sidereal,_tropical,_and_anomalistic_years
https://astronomy.swin.edu.au/cosmos/A/Anomalistic+Year
 

Anthropocene era
(theorized geological era substantially influenced by human activity)
(geophysics)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropocene
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Anthropocene
 

API
(application programming interface)
(abbreviation)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/API

Referenced by pages:
Astrocats
MaNGA Stellar Library (MaStar)
PyMC

 

Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences
(AUASS)
(has hosted conferences)
(organization)
https://www.astronomy2009.org/organisation/nodes/organisational/view/9/index.html
 

Arecibo Observatory Space Academy
(AOSA)
(Arecibo pre-college program)
(program,education)
http://aosa.naic.edu/
 

ARIBIB
(online astronomy/astrophysics bibliography)
(astrophysics,database,site)
https://wwwadd.zah.uni-heidelberg.de/aribib/docs/
 

Armstrong Flight Research Center
(afrc)
(NASA aeronautical research center in California)
(organization,NASA,California)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armstrong_Flight_Research_Center
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/home/index.html
 

Artemis program
(Artemis)
(NASA's program in development to send people to the moon)
(NASA,Moon,construction)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemis_program
https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/

Referenced by page:
THEMIS

 

Association Française des Observateurs d'Étoiles Variables
(AFEOV)
(French organization formed in 1920s)
(organization,France)
http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/afoev/
 

Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers
(ALPO)
(international scientific organization)
(organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Lunar_and_Planetary_Observers
http://alpo-astronomy.org/
 

Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors
(ACM)
(special-interest meeting)
(meeting)
 

Astro2020
(initiative suggesting major survey efforts over the 2020-2030 decade)
(initiative)
https://sites.nationalacademies.org/DEPS/Astro2020/index.htm
 

Astroaccesible
(project to make astronomy information available to the blind)
(project,astronomy)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2022RMxAC..54..111P/abstract

Referenced by page:
El Universo en palabras

 

AstroBetter
(site with shared research tips.)
(astrophysics,site)
https://www.astrobetter.com/

Referenced by page:
AstroBetter Rumor Mill

 

AstroBetter Rumor Mill
(list of open astrophysics jobs)
(site,astrophysics)
(See: AstroBetter)
https://www.astrobetter.com/
 

Astrobites
(online informal summaries of astrophysics papers)
(astrophysics,site)
https://astrobites.org/
 

astrolabe
(ancient instrument to determine to date, time, and location information from the sky)
(instrument type)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrolabe

Referenced by page:
Danjon astrolabe

 

Astronomia nova
(Johannes Kepler's book about investigating Mars' orbit)
(publication)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomia_nova
https://www.maa.org/book/export/html/117541
 

Astronomical Data Center
(ADC)
(1980s-1990s NASA/Goddard data archive)
(organization,NASA,past)
 

Astronomical Journal
(AJ)
(American Astronomical Society journal)
(astronomy,publication,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Astronomical_Journal
http://iopscience.org/aj
 

Astronomical Netherlands Satellite
(ANS)
(1970s X-ray/ultraviolet space telescope)
(telescope,space,Netherlands,past)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomical_Netherlands_Satellite
 

astronomical observation request
(AOT)
(term for a proposal to use a telescope)
(telescopes)
http://herschel.esac.esa.int/Docs/HSPOT/html/ch08.html
 

Astronomical Society of the Atlantic
(ASA)
(interested parties promoting astronomy)
(organization)
 

Astronomical Society of the Pacific
(ASP)
(general astronomy-education organization)
(organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomical_Society_of_the_Pacific
https://www.astrosociety.org/

Referenced by page:
Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (PASP)

 

Astronomische Gesellschaft
(AG)
(German astronomical society)
(organization,Germany)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomische_Gesellschaft
http://astronomische-gesellschaft.de/en

Referenced by page:
Astronomische Gesellschaft Katalog (AGK)

 

Astronomische Nachrichten
(AN)
(German scientific publication)
(publication,Germany)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomische_Nachrichten
https://www.aip.de/AN/
 

astronomy
(study of astronomical objects and their environments)
(science)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomy
https://astronomy.swin.edu.au/cosmos/A/Astronomy
 

Astronomy & Astrophysics
(A&A)
(European scientific journal)
(publication)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomy_%26_Astrophysics
http://www.aanda.org/
 

Astronomy Picture of the Day
(APOD)
(NASA general education initiative)
(site,NASA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomy_Picture_of_the_Day
http://apod.nasa.gov/
 

Astrophysical Journal
(ApJ)
(American Astronomical Society scientific publication)
(publication,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Astrophysical_Journal
http://iopscience.iop.org/journal/0004-637X
 

Astrophysical Journal Letters
(ApJL)
(American Astronomical Society scientific publication)
(publication,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Astrophysical_Journal
http://iopscience.iop.org/journal/2041-8205
 

Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
(ApJS)
(American Astronomical Society scientific publication)
(publication,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Astrophysical_Journal
http://iopscience.iop.org/journal/0067-0049
 

Astrophysical Research Consortium
(ARC)
(owns Apache Point Observatory)
(organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apache_Point_Observatory#History
https://arc.apo.nmsu.edu/
 

astrophysics
(physics applied to astronomy)
(science,physics,astronomy)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrophysics
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/astrophysics
 

Astrophysics Data and Information Services
(ADIS)
(perhaps one-time name for NASA ADF or ADS)
(organization,NASA,past)
 

Astrophysics Data Facility
(ADF)
(former NASA unit responsible for data from NASA astrophysics missions)
(organization,NASA,past)
 

Astrophysics Multi-spectral Archive Search Engine
(AMASE)
(1990s search tool)
(software)
http://www.adass.org/adass/proceedings/adass98/cheungcy/
 

Astrophysics Source Code Library
(ASCL)
(collection of astrophysics programs)
(codes)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrophysics_Source_Code_Library
https://ascl.net/
 

Atmospheric Physics of Exoplanets
(APEx)
(MPIAA department)
(organization)
 

Automated Lunar and Meteor Observatory
(ALaMO)
(ground observatory in Alabama to record Moon-meteoroid impacts)
(observatory,Moon,meteors,ground,NASA,Alabama)
https://www.nasa.gov/center/marshall/news/lunar/overview.html
 

Automated Patrol Telescope
(APT)
(0.5 m telescope at Siding Spring Observatory)
(telescope,Australia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automated_Patrol_Telescope
 

basal
(from the base or from below)
(science,terminology)
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/basal
 

basic calibrated data
(BCD)
(class of moderately-processed output from telescope observations)
(data)
 

Beijing Astronomical Observatory
(BAO)
(part of Chinese Academy of Sciences)
(observatory,China)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing_Astronomical_Observatory
http://www.bao.ac.cn/
 

BEL
(broad emission line)
(abbreviation)
 

Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland Association
(BIMA)
(operator of 1980s-2000s radio telescope)
(organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland_Association

Referenced by page:
BIMA telescope

 

Bisei Asteroid Tracking Telescope for Rapid Survey
(BATTeRS)
(Japanese telescope surveying to find NEOs and space junk)
(telescope,Japan,asteroids)
 

BJD
(barycentric Julian day)
(abbreviation,time,measure)
(See: Julian date (JD))
 

Black in Astro
(BIA)
(advocacy initiative)
(initiative)
https://www.blackinastro.com/
 

black star
(theoretical alternative to black holes)
(black holes,theory)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_star_(semiclassical_gravity)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2008PhRvD..77d4032B/abstract
 

BOAT
(brightest of all time)
(abbreviation)
 

Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics
(BITP)
(Ukrainian research institute)
(organization,Ukranian,physics)
http://bitp.kiev.ua/
 

Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory
(BOAO)
(on Bohyeon Mountain, Korea)
(observatory,visible light,Korea)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_asteroid-discovering_observatories#Bohyunsan_Optical_Astronomy_Observatory
https://www.kasi.re.kr/eng/pageView/65
 

British Astronomical Association
(BAA)
(amateur astronomer organization)
(organization,UK)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Astronomical_Association
https://www.britastro.org/
 

British Interplanetary Society
(BIS)
(space-exploration/research advocacy organization)
(organization,space)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Interplanetary_Society
https://www.bis-space.com/
 

British National Space Centre
(BNSC)
(the older name for UKSA)
(organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_National_Space_Centre
https://web.archive.org/web/20041109092733/http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/
 

Broad Band X-Ray Telescope
(BBXRT)
(1990s Astro-1 Space Shuttle X-ray telescope)
(telescope,space,X-ray,NASA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad_Band_X-ray_Telescope
https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/bbxrt/bbxrt_about.html
 

Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society
(BAAS)
(US professional organization's journal of record)
(publication)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulletin_of_the_American_Astronomical_Society
http://baas.aas.org/
 

Burst and All Sky Imaging Survey
(BASIS)
(late 1990s GRB-observer satellite proposal)
(observatory,spacecraft,telescope,past,concept,NASA)
 

Côte d'Azur Observatory
(OCA, Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur)
(French astronomical research organization)
(observatory,France)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cóte_d%27Azur_Observatory
https://www.oca.eu/en/

Referenced by page:
GI2T

 

California Association for Research in Astronomy
(CARA)
(nonprofit aimed at operating Keck observatory)
(organization,California)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._M._Keck_Observatory#Management
http://casswww.ucsd.edu/archive/facilities.html
 

Cambridge Discovery Park
(CDP)
(location of SAO labs)
(location)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambridge_Discovery_Park
 

Canadian Astronomical Society
(CASCA)
(professional astronomers)
(organization,Canada)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Astronomical_Society
http://casca.ca/
 

Canadian Astronomy Data Centre
(CADC)
(online data distribution)
(organization,archive,site,Canadian)
http://www.cadc-ccda.hia-iha.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/en/
 

CANGAROO
(Collaboration between Australia and Nippon for a Gamma Ray Observatory in the Outback)
(future,telescope,gamma rays,Australia)
http://www.physics.adelaide.edu.au/astrophysics/cangaroo/
 

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
(CCAFS)
(Air Force launch facilities adjacent to Kennedy Space Center)
(organization,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Canaveral_Air_Force_Station
http://afspacemuseum.org/ccafs/
 

CAS Space
(Guangzhou Zhongke Aerospace Exploration Technology Co.)
(Chinese commericial space-launch corporation)
(organization,China)
(See: Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS))
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAS_Space
http://en.cas-space.com/

Referenced by page:
Satech-01

 

Catalog of Stellar Identification
(CSI)
(a compilation of the catalogs, BD, CD, and CPD)
(catalog,stars)
(See: Bonner Durchmusterung Catalog (BD))
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1971BICDS...2....8J/abstract
 

Catalogue of Discoveries and Identifications of Minor Planets
(CDIMP)
(1982 catalog from Minor Planet Center)
(catalog,planets,solar system)
https://books.google.com/books/about/Catalogue_of_discoveries_and_identificat.html?id=TYfvAAAAMAAJ&hl=en
 

celestial
(having to do with stars and the sky)
(terminology)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celestial
https://astronomy.swin.edu.au/cosmos/C/Celestial

Referenced by pages:
OSO 8
SPICE

 

celestial navigation
(navigating such as across the sea, using the stars)
(astronomy)
 

Center for Advanced Space Studies
(CASS)
(unit of Universities Space Research Association)
(organization,USA,past)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universities_Space_Research_Association
 

Center for Astrophysical Research in Antarctica
(CARA)
(NSF science and technology center)
(organization,USA)
http://astro.uchicago.edu/cara/
 

Center for Astrophysics and Space Sciences
(CASS)
(UC San Diego academic institute)
(organization,USA)
http://cass.ucsd.edu/
 

Center for Earth and Planetary Studies
(CEPS)
(Smithsonian Institute research unit)
(organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_for_Earth_and_Planetary_Studies
https://airandspace.si.edu/research
 

Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing
(CAS)
(research center at Swinburne University, Australia)
(organization,computation,astrophysics)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_for_Astrophysics_and_Supercomputing
https://www.swinburne.edu.au/research/centres-groups-clinics/centre-for-astrophysics-supercomputing/

Referenced by page:
GPU Supercomputer for Theoretical Astrophysics Research (gSTAR)

 

Centre for Research in Astrophysics of Quebec
(astronomy collaboration of Quebec universities)
(organization,Canada)
http://craq-astro.ca/?lang=en
 

Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference
(CPS)
(IAU initiative to address the issue of satellite constellations)
(visible light,astronomy)
(See: International Astronomical Union (IAU))
https://cps.iau.org/
 

Centre national de la recherche scientifique
(CNRS)
(French scientific research organization)
(organization,France)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_National_Centre_for_Scientific_Research
https://www.cnrs.fr/

Referenced by page:
Astronet

 

centripetal force
(whatever force keeps an object moving in circles)
(mechanics)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centripetal_force
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/cf.html
 

Centro Astronómico Hispano-Alemán
(CAHA)
(German-Spanish Astronomical Center at Calar Alto.)
(organization,Spanish,German)
http://www.caha.es/
 

Chandra Interactive Analysis of Observations
(CIAO)
(software for analyzing Chandra X-ray data)
(software)
(See: Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO))
http://cxc.harvard.edu/ciao/
 

Chinese Academy of Sciences
(CAS)
(Chinese national scientific organization)
(organization,China)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Academy_of_Sciences
https://english.cas.cn/

Referenced by page:
CAS Space

 

CHNOPS
(six common elements in biological molecules)
(abbreviation,chemistry,biology)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHON
 

CHON
(four common elements in biological molecules)
(abbreviation,chemistry,biology)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHON
 

Cluster Lensing and Supernova survey with Hubble
(CLASH)
(c2010 HST survey of galaxy cluster lensing)
(survey,galaxy clusters,gravitational lensing)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cluster_Lensing_and_Supernova_survey_with_Hubble
http://www.stsci.edu/~postman/CLASH/Home.html
 

coalescence
(merging together, becoming one thing)
(terminology)
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/coalescence
 

Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite
(CRRES)
(1990s satellite investigating Earth's magnetosphere)
(space,past,NASA)
https://eospso.nasa.gov/missions/combined-release-and-radiation-effects-satellite
 

Comet Nucleus Sample Return
(CNSR, Cryogenic Nucleus Sample Return, Cryogenic Comet Nucleus Sample Return)
(concept study for comet mission)
(plan,space,comets)
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/studies/228/cryogenic-comet-nucleus-sample-return-cnsr-mission-technology-study/
 

Comet Rendezvous Asteroid Flyby
(CRAF)
(1980s/1990s NASA comet exploration plan)
(space,past,NASA,plan)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comet_Rendezvous_Asteroid_Flyby
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1989LPICo.691...54M/abstract
 

Committee for Small-Body Nomenclature
(CSBN)
(early 2000s IAU division since replaced by WG-SBN)
(asteroids,comets,IAU)
(See: International Astronomical Union (IAU))
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomical_naming_conventions
https://www.iau.org/static/science/scientific_bodies/working_groups/97/wg-sbn-triennial-report-2015-2018.pdf
 

Committee on Space Research
(COSPAR)
(international collaboration established by International Council for Science)
(organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committee_on_Space_Research
https://cosparhq.cnes.fr
 

Committee on the Status of Women in Astronomy
(CSWA)
(AAS committee)
(organization)
(See: American Astronomical Society (AAS))
https://aas.org/comms/cswa
 

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
(CNR, National Research Council)
(Italian national research organization.)
(organization,Italy)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Research_Council_(Italy)
https://www.cnr.it/en
 

CONTOUR
(Discovery 6)
(failed 2002 NASA astroid flyby mission)
(NASA,spacecraft,asteroids,past)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CONTOUR
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/contour/
 

corner.py
(Python library for scatter plot matrices)
(software,visualization,Python)
(See: scatter plot matrix)
http://ascl.net/1702.002
 

correlated
(values of two functions having the same sign)
(mathematics)
https://astronomy.swin.edu.au/cosmos/C/Correlated
 

cosmos
(alternate word for universe)
(cosmology)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmos
 

Council of German Observatories
(RDS, Rat deutscher Sternwarten)
(German astronomy research council)
(organization,Germany)
https://www.astronomische-gesellschaft.de/en/rds

Referenced by page:
Astronet

 

Coupled Ion-Neutral Dynamics Investigation
(CINDI)
(space weather investigation instruments on USAF spacecraft)
(project,space,Sun)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CINDI
https://www.nasa.gov/content/cindi-coupled-ion-neutral-dynamic-investigation

Referenced by page:
solar physics

 

cross-staff
(Jacob's staff)
(historical device for measuring angular distances)
(instrument type)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob%27s_staff
https://pwg.gsfc.nasa.gov/stargaze/Scrostaf.htm
 

crowd-sourcing
(carrying out large efforts by combining that of many volunteers)
(terminology)

Referenced by pages:
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Galaxy Zoo
Galaxy Zoo 2 (GZ2)
Planet Hunters (PH)
Radio Galaxy Zoo (RGZ)

 

cryogenic
(colder than 120 kelvins)
(terminology)
(See: cryogenic spectroscopy)

Referenced by pages:
Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO)
CRIRES
Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS)
Cryogenic Rare Event Search with Superconducting Thermometers (CRESST)
cryogenic spectroscopy
CUORE
DKIST
emissivity
European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope (ESO VLT)
EXCLAIM
immersion grating
KAGRA
Origins Space Telescope (OST)
SQUID
Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS)

 

CST
(variable star type meaning it is currently thought non-variable)
(abbreviation,variable stars)
https://www.aavso.org/vsx/index.php?view=about.vartypes
 

dark energy star
(theoretical alternative to black holes)
(black holes,theory)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark-energy_star
https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0503200
 

decadal survey
(type of once-a-decade planning report from NASA and the NAS)
(publication,science,USA)
(See: National Acadamy of Sciences (NAS) and
NASA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decadal_survey
https://www.planetary.org/space-policy/what-is-the-decadal-survey
 

Deep Ecliptic Survey
(DES)
(late 1990s/early 2000s survey for KBOs)
(survey,solar system,minor planets)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Ecliptic_Survey
https://www.boulder.swri.edu/~buie/kbo/index.html
 

DEIA
(diversity, , equity, , inclusion, , and accessibility)
(abbreviation used for US government efforts)
(abbreviation)
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/06/25/executive-order-on-diversity-equity-inclusion-and-accessibility-in-the-federal-workforce/
 

dewar
(term used re cryogenics for vacuum-insulated containers)
(instrument type)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryogenic_storage_dewar
 

Disk Detective
(Zooniverse effort to find planets within protoplanetary disks)
(crowdsource,site,planets,protoplanetary disks)
(See: Zooniverse)
https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/ssilverberg/disk-detective
 

displacement
(position vector)
(vector quantity showing the position of one point in relation to another)
(mathematics,measure)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Displacement_(geometry)
https://astronomy.swin.edu.au/cosmos/D/Displacement
 

distance
(magnitude of the displacement or length of a curve)
(mathematics,measure)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distance
https://astronomy.swin.edu.au/cosmos/D/Distance

Referenced by page:
gravitational wave (GW)

 

DLR
(Deutsches Zentrum füaut;r Luft- und Raumfahrt, German Aerospace Center)
(German's space and aerotautics research agency)
(Germany,organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Aerospace_Center
https://www.dlr.de/en/
 

Dominion Astrophysical Observatory
(DAO)
(long-standing observatory in British Columbia)
(observatory,Canada,visible light)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_Astrophysical_Observatory
 

DRDF
("Director's Research and Development Fund")
(abbreviation)
 

DRS
(data reduction system)
(abbreviation)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016SPIE.9913E..4AW/abstract
 

EAS Job Directory
(directory of astrophysics jobs)
(site,astronomy,database,Europe)
(See: European Astronomical Society (EAS))
https://eas.unige.ch/jobs.jsp
 

East Asian Core Observatories Association
(EACOA)
(promotes astronomy)
(organization,Asia)
http://www.eacoa.net/
 

East-Asian Planet Search Network
(EAPSNET)
(initiative to find exoplanets)
(organization,Asia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East-Asian_Planet_Search_Network
http://www-irc.mtk.nao.ac.jp/eayam/2017/documents/d2/1_Masashi_Omiya.pdf
 

EIE
(Italian engineering company that produces astronomical equipment)
(abbreviation)

Referenced by page:
ARO 12m Telescope

 

ejecta
(material ejected from something)
(terminology)
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ejecta
 

El Universo en palabras
(The Univese in Words)
(Series of audios produced by Astroaccesible)
(project,astronomy)
(See: Astroaccesible)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2022RMxAC..54..111P/abstract
 

electron beam ion trap
(EBIT)
(lab instrument to create ions for study)
(instrument)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_beam_ion_trap
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2005PhST..119...30T/abstract
 

Electronic Journal of the Astronomical Society of the Atlantic
(EJASA)
(online journal during the 1990s)
(publication)
https://www.heise.de/ix/raven/Literature/Journals/ElJournals.html#EJ25
 

ellipticity
(degree to which a body's shape is un-spherical)
(mathematics,measure)
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ellipticity
 

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
(EPSRC)
(UK agency for scientific research, including astronomy)
(organization,UK)
https://epsrc.ukri.org/
 

Ephemerides of Minor Planets
(EMP)
(annual catalog on minor planet positions)
(catalog,minor planets)
http://iaaras.ru/en/about/issues/emp/
 

EPO
("education and public outreach")
(abbreviation)
 

European Association for Astronomy Education
(EAAE)
(promotes science education)
(organization,European)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Association_for_Astronomy_Education
https://www.eaae-astronomy.org/
 

European Astronomical Society
(EAS)
(European organization)
(organization,Europe)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Astronomical_Society
https://eas.unige.ch/

Referenced by page:
EAS Job Directory

 

European Research Infrastructure Consortium
(ERIC)
(science and technology initiative)
(organization,science)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Research_Infrastructure_Consortium
https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/strategy/european-research-infrastructures/eric_en
 

Fast On-orbit Rapit Recording of Transient Events
(FORTE)
(satellite viewing radio and optical transients on Earth)
(spacecraft,radio,visible light)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FORTE
https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/f/forte
 

Fastest Fourier Transform in the West
(FFTW)
(code library implementing efficient FFT)
(code,mathematics)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FFTW
http://www.fftw.org/
 

fiber-linked optical array telescope
(FLOAT)
(scheme for a type of multi-mirror telescope)
(telescope type,plan)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1977ApJ...218..776A/abstract
 

FRB Community Newsletter
(FRB Newsletter)
(periodical message about fast radio bursts)
(publication,transients)
http://hosting.astro.cornell.edu/research/frb/news/
 

FTL
("faster than light")
(abbreviation)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faster-than-light

Referenced by page:
superluminal motion

 

Fugaku
(Japanese petaflop/exaflop supercomputer)
(computer,Japan)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugaku_(supercomputer)
https://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/innovation/fugaku/
 

fusor
(2003 proposed term for astronomical objects capable of carrying out fusion)
(terminology,stars)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2003IAUS..211..529B/abstract
 

fuzzball
(theoretical alternative to black holes based on superstring theory)
(black holes,theory)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuzzball_(string_theory)
https://www.asc.ohio-state.edu/mathur.16/
 

g-r color
(g-r color index)
(difference between SDSS g' and r' magnitudes)
(measure,EMR,color,magnitude,photometry)
(See: color index)
https://skyserver.sdss.org/dr1/en/proj/advanced/color/amounts.asp
 

Gabbard plot
(Gabbard diagram)
(plot showing apogee-perigee range of select orbiting debris)
(space,graph)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_debris#Gabbard_diagrams
 

Galaxy Evolution from Morphology and Spectral energy distributions
(GEMS)
(HST survey of galaxies with z in the range 0.2 to 1.2)
(survey,galaxies,spectrography)
(See: Hubble Space Telescope (HST))
http://www.mpia.de/homes/GEMS/gems.htm
 

Gale Crater
(Curiosity rover landing site on Mars)
(Mars,location)
(See: Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) and
Mars)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gale_(crater)
https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/timeline/prelaunch/gale-crater/

Referenced by page:
Mars Science Laboratory (MSL)

 

GCRT
(galactic center radio transient)
(abbreviation,radio,transients)
PrefixExample  
GCRTGCRT J1745-3009 

 

GitHub
(online software development repositories)
(site,software)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GitHub
https://github.com/
 

Global Exoplanet M-dwarf Search-Survey
(GEMSS)
(a search for exoplanets around m-dwarf stars)
(survey,exoplanets)
https://www.centauri-dreams.org/2007/02/05/gemss-hunting-for-red-dwarf-exoplanets/
 

global navigation satellite system
(GNSS)
(type of space-based service that can impede radio astronomy)
(abbreviation)
 

Global Oscillations Network Group
(GONG)
(cooperative organization studying the Sun through helioseismology)
(organization,helioseismology)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Oscillations_Network_Group
https://gong.nso.edu/
 

Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk
(GOLD)
(satellite instrument to study ionosphere regarding space weather)
(instrument,space,atmosphere)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global-scale_Observations_of_the_Limb_and_Disk
https://gold.cs.ucf.edu/
 

GPU Supercomputer for Theoretical Astrophysics Research
(gSTAR)
(supercomputer at Swinburne University)
(instrument,computation)
(See: Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing (CAS))
https://astronomy.swin.edu.au/supercomputing/green2/
 

graben
(depressed block of planet crust)
(geology)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graben
 

gravistar
(theoretical type of black hole with certain contents)
(black holes,theory)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravistar
https://arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/0109035
 

Gravitational Wave Galaxy Catalogue
(GWGC)
(list of probable galaxies for GW detections)
(catalog,galaxies)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2011CQGra..28h5016W/abstract
 

Group Evolution Multiwavelength Study
(GEMS)
(survey of galaxy groups)
(survey,X-ray,visible light,near infrared)
http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/gems/
 

Groupe Europáen Observations Stellaires
(GEOS)
(European organization of variable star observers.)
(organization,variable,stars,European)
http://geos.upv.es/
 

Gruppo Italiano Astrometristi
(GIA)
(Italian amateur astronomy organization)
(organization,Italian)
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gruppo_Italiano_Astrometristi
 

Guide Star Astrometric Support Package
(GASP)
(software to assist in using guide stars for HST observations)
(software,astrometry,past)
https://hubblesite.org/contents/news-releases/1993/news-1993-07.html
 

H2O Southern Galactic Plane Survey
(HOPS)
(survey targeting water masers)
(survey,stars)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2012MNRAS.426.1972P/abstract
 

Hadean Eon
(the first eon in Earth history, up to 4 billion years ago)
(geophysics,Earth)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadean
https://geo.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Geology/Book%3A_An_Introduction_to_Geology_(Johnson_Affolter_Inkenbrandt_and_Mosher)/08%3A_Earth_History/8.03%3A_Hadean_Eon
 

HEAD
(High Energy Astrophysics Division)
(AAS division supporting X-ray and gamma-ray astrophysics)
(organization,astronomy)
(See: American Astronomical Society (AAS))
https://head.aas.org/
 

High Resolution Microwave Survey
(HRMS)
(1990s microwave SETI search)
(survey,microwave,SETI)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Resolution_Microwave_Survey
 

high time-resolution astrophysics
(HTRA)
(second-by-second observation of/for transients)
(abbreviation,transients,astronomy)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_time-resolution_astrophysics
 

HK Survey
(HK)
(1985 search for metal poor-stars using calcium lines)
(survey,stars,metallicity,calcium)
PrefixExample  
BPSBPS CS 22898-0066 

https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1985AJ.....90.2089B/abstract
 

HOD
(halo occupation distribution)
(model of galaxy distribution)
(simulations)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halo_occupation_distribution
 

host
(host body)
(object such as star around which something is orbiting or drawn to)
(object type)

Referenced by pages:
exosatellite
Hill radius
host galaxy (HG)
host planet
host star
Kepler's laws
Pluto
primary
retrograde hot Jupiter
semi-major axis (a)
SPOCK
tidal heating

 

host galaxy
(HG)
(galaxy associated with a particular object or transient)
(galaxies,object type)
(See: host and
galaxy)
PrefixExample  
HGHG 031203used for GRB and XRF hosts

 

host planet
(the planet associated with a moon or ring, etc.)
(planets,moons,object type)
(See: host and
planet)

Referenced by page:
Keplerian orbit

 

host star
(the star associated with a planetary system)
(stars,planets,object type)
(See: host and
star)

Referenced by pages:
51 Eridani b
51 Pegasi b (51 Peg b)
atmospheric escape
atmospheric tide
biofluorescence
Darwin
differential spectroscopy
Earth analog
eccentricity (e)
equilibrium temperature (Teq)
EXOFAST
exosatellite
free-floating planet (FFP)
Fulton gap
giant planet
GJ 1214 b
habitability
HCI
HD 209458 b
HD 80606 b
Hill stability
K2-18b
Kepler-186f
Laplace radius (rL)
mass ratio (μ)
MUSCLES
planet formation
planet structure
primary
projected separation
protoplanetary disk (PPD)
rocky planet
rotation period
secondary eclipse
transiting planet
ultraviolet (UV)
WASP-12b
WASP-33b
WASP-67b
XO-3b

 

Hubble Asteroid Hunter
(Zooniverse effort to find asteroids in HST images)
(crowdsource,site,survey,asteroids,past)
(See: Zooniverse)
https://esahubble.org/forscientists/announcements/sci19011/
 

Hubble Heritage Project
(effort assembling an archive of HST images)
(survey,HST)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubble_Heritage_Project
http://heritage.stsci.edu
 

IAU symposium
(IAUS)
(IAU-sponsored science symposiums)
(IAU,meeting)
(See: International Astronomical Union (IAU))
https://www.iau.org/science/meetings/future/symposia/
 

Image Reduction and Analysis Facility
(IRAF)
(NOAO-developed image manipulation/viewing software)
(software,visualization)
http://iraf.noao.edu/
 

imager
(essentially a word for camera, produces 2D image over some bandwidth)
(instrument type)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Astronomical_imaging

Referenced by pages:
European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope (ESO VLT)
gas pixel detector (GPD)
Hitomi
Large Binocular Telescope (LBT)
Lowell Discovery Telescope (LDT)
Lucy
MMT
PRIMA
PUNCH
SELENE
slew survey
SOAR Telescope (SOAR)
SOFIA
Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)
Subaru Telescope
Víctor M. Blanco Telescope
XRISM

 

Immirzi parameter
(theoretical value relating black hole to its entropy)
(physics,black holes,gravity)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immirzi_parameter
 

In-situ Lunar Orientation Measurement
(ILOM)
(planned experiment to monitor lunar rotation via astrometry from the Moon)
(instrument,Moon,future)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2008AdSpR..42..358N/abstract
 

Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO)
(national science and technology agency)
(organization,India,space)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Space_Research_Organisation
https://www.isro.gov.in/

Referenced by page:
Aditya-L1

 

inferior conjunction
(conjunction of an "inferior planet", Venus or Mercury)
(astronomy)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conjunction_(astronomy)
 

Information Bulletin on Variable Stars
(IBVS)
(former 1961-2019 publication on variable stars)
(publication,variable,stars,past)
https://konkoly.hu/ibvs/
 

infrared source
(IRS)
(astronomical object producing observable infrared)
(infrared,object type)
(See: infrared (IR))
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared_astronomy
https://www.britannica.com/science/infrared-source

Referenced by page:
LDN 1527 (L1527)

 

inspiral
(like an orbit that is growing smaller)
(terminology)
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/inspiral
 

Institut National d'Astronomie et de Geophysique
(INAG)
(1960s-1980s French research institute)
(France,organization,past)
https://data.bnf.fr/fr/11876766/institut_national_d_astronomie_et_de_geophysique_france/
 

Institute for Advanced Study
(IAS)
(research institution)
(organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_for_Advanced_Study
https://www.ias.edu/
 

Institute for Astronomy
(IfA, University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy)
(U Hawaii astronomy research organization)
(organization,Hawaii)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_for_Astronomy
http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/

Referenced by page:
Mauna Kea Observatories (MKO)

 

Institute for research on exoplanets
(iREX)
(U Montreéal division researching exoplanets)
(organization,exoplanets,Canada)
http://www.exoplanetes.umontreal.ca/?lang=en
 

Institute of Astronomy
(IoA)
(Cambridge U astronomy research organization)
(organization,UK)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_of_Astronomy,_Cambridge
https://www.ast.cam.ac.uk/
 

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(IEEE)
(professional engineering association)
(organization,technology)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_of_Electrical_and_Electronics_Engineers
https://www.ieee.org/

Referenced by pages:
ITU
Q band

 

Institute of Space and Astronautical Science
(ISAS)
(Japanese national research organization)
(organization,Japan,JAXA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_of_Space_and_Astronautical_Science
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/en/index.html
 

Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies
(ISAS)
(U Saskatchewan research division)
(organization,Canada)
https://artsandscience.usask.ca/physics/facilities/isas.php
 

Institute of Theoretical Astronomy
(ITA)
(former Cambridge U astronomy research organization)
(organization,UK,past)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_of_Astronomy,_Cambridge#History
https://www.ast.cam.ac.uk/about
 

integrated flux nebula
(IFN)
(fuzzy illuminated nebula within Milky Way halo)
(object type,halo)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_Flux_Nebula
 

Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics
(IUCAA)
(initiative promoting astrophysics at Indian universities)
(organization,India)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter-University_Centre_for_Astronomy_and_Astrophysics
https://www.iucaa.in/
 

intermediate luminosity optical transient
(ILOT, gap transient)
(visible-light transient a bit brighter than a nova)
(transient type)
(See: transient (AT))
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermediate_luminosity_optical_transient
 

International Active Sun Years
(IASY)
(1969-1971 initiative for solar surveys)
(survey,Sun)
 

International Amateur-Professional Photoelectric Photometry
(IAPPP)
(organization active 1980-2000+)
(organization,photometry,international)
http://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1990IAPPP..42....1O/abstract
 

International Astronomical Youth Camp
(IAYC)
(summer camp)
(meeting)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Astronomical_Youth_Camp
https://www.iayc.org/
 

International Comet Quarterly
(ICQ)
(journal regarding comets)
(publication,comets)
http://www.icq.eps.harvard.edu/index.html
 

International Cosmic Ray Conference
(ICRC)
(bi-annual cosmic ray conference since 1947)
(meeting,cosmic rays)
 

International Dark-Sky Association
(IDA)
(organization promoting control of light pollution)
(organization,astronomy)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Dark-Sky_Association
https://www.darksky.org/
 

International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service
(IERS, International Earth Rotation Service)
(service monitoring Earth's rotation and precession)
(organization,astronomy)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Earth_Rotation_and_Reference_Systems_Service
https://www.iers.org/
 

International Geophysical Year
(IGY)
(1957-1958 initiative for geophysical and related astronomical research)
(survey,astronomy,geophysics)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Geophysical_Year
http://www.nasonline.org/about-nas/history/archives/milestones-in-NAS-history/the-igy.html
 

International Halley Watch
(IHW)
(initiative to coordinate observation of Halley's Comet in 1986)
(organization,astronomy,comets)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Halley_Watch
https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/ihw_images.html
 

International Meteor Organization
(IMO)
(amateur/professional meteor organization)
(organization,meteors)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Meteor_Organization
https://www.imo.net/
 

International Monitoring Programs for Asteroid and Comet Threat
(IMPACT)
(1999 IAU-sponsored conference in Italy)
(meeting,comets,asteroids)
(See: International Astronomical Union (IAU))
http://neo.ssa.esa.int/neo-chronology
 

International Occultation Timing Association
(IOTA)
(volunteer organization to observe occultations)
(organization,occultations)
https://occultations.org
 

International Organization for Standardization
(ISO)
(standards-development organization)
(organization,technology)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Organization_for_Standardization
https://www.iso.org/

Referenced by page:
Q band

 

International Quiet Sun Year
(IQSY)
(1964-1965 initiative for solar surveys)
(survey,Sun)
http://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/dev/hillger/IQSY.htm
 

International Scientific Optical Network
(ISON)
(project to track objects in space)
(organization,astronomy)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Scientific_Optical_Network
http://lfvn.astronomer.ru/main/english.htm
 

International Small Telescope Cooperative
(ISTeC, North American Small Telescope Cooperative, NASTec)
(former cooperative of small research telescopes)
(organization,telescopes)
http://www.astronomy.net/astroguide/ag323.html
 

International Space Year
(ISY)
(1992 initiative re space and astronomy)
(survey)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Space_Year
 

International Supernova Network
(ISN)
(SN information sharing initiative)
(organization,supernovae)
http://www.supernova.thistlethwaites.com/isn/isn.htm
 

International Workshop for Astronomy
(IWA)
(organization operating the IAYC)
(organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Astronomical_Youth_Camp
https://www.iayc.org/about-iwa/
 

International Workshop on Cometary Astronomy
(IWCA)
(occasional meeting)
(meeting,comets)
http://www.icq.eps.harvard.edu/IWCA.html
 

Intracluster
(IC)
(region between objects of a cluster such as between stars in a star cluster)
(abbreviation)
 

Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali
(IAPS, Institute for Space Astrophysics and Planetology)
(Italian astrophysical research institute within INAF)
(organization,Italy)
http://www.iaps.inaf.it/en/about-iaps/
 

Istituto di Astrofisica Spaziale
(IAS)
(former name of Italian astrophysics research institution)
(organization,Italy)
 

Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica
(INAF)
(Italian astrophysical research institute)
(organization,Italy)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INAF
http://www.inaf.it/en

Referenced by page:
Astronet

 

Japan Amateur Photoelectric Observers Association
(JAPOA)
(past amateur astronomy collaboration)
(organization,stars,variable,past)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1990JAVSO..19..158S/abstract
 

Japan Spaceguard Association
(JSGA)
(Japanese telescope tracking NEOs and space junk)
(telescope,organization,Japan)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Spaceguard_Association
https://www.spaceguard.or.jp/
 

Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(JPL)
(NASA technology research center)
(organization,NASA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_Propulsion_Laboratory
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/

Referenced by page:
Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX)

 

Jezero Crater
(Perseverance rover landing site on Mars)
(Mars,location)
(See: Mars 2020 and
Mars)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jezero_(crater)
https://marsnext.jpl.nasa.gov/documents/LandingSiteWorksheet_Jezero_final.pdf

Referenced by page:
Mars 2020

 

JILA
(Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics)
(U Colorado/NIST research organization)
(organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JILA
http://jila.colorado.edu/
 

Joint Astronomy Centre
(JAC)
(operated two UK telescopes in Hawaii)
(organization,British,Hawaii,past)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Astronomy_Centre
 

Joint European Telescope for X-ray astronomy
(JET-X)
(1990s X-ray space observatory never launched)
(telescope,spacecraft,plan,past)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_European_Telescope_for_X-ray_astronomy
 

Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC
(JIVE, Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe)
(central EVN facility)
(VLBI,organization,Europe)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Institute_for_VLBI_in_Europe
https://www.jive.nl/
 

Journal of Geophysical Research
(JGR)
(American Geophysics Union peer-reviewed research journal)
(publication,geophysics)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journal_of_Geophysical_Research
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/21562202
 

Jupyter
(notebook-style programming interface used with Python)
(software)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Jupyter
https://jupyter.org/
 

JWST Extragalactic Mock Catalog
(JAGUAR)
(mock catalog of distant infrared galaxies)
(catalog,galaxies)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2018ApJS..236...33W/abstract
 

Koposov I
(low-luminosity globular cluster in the constellation Virgo)
(globular cluster,Milky Way)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koposov_I
 

Koposov II
(low-luminosity globular cluster in the constellation Gemini)
(globular cluster,Milky Way)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koposov_II
 

kugelblitz
(theoretical black hole arising from a high radiation density)
(physics,black holes)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kugelblitz_(astrophysics)
 

Kumamoto Civil Astronomical Observatory
(KCAO)
(Japanese amateur observatory)
(observatory,past)
 

Laboratorio de Astrofisica Espacial y Fisica Fundamental
(LAEFF)
(Spanish astrophysics laboratory)
(organization,Spain)
https://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESAC/LAEFF
 

Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics
(LHEA)
(former GSFC X-ray/gamma-ray lab of about 1970 to 2004)
(organization,X-rays,gamma rays)
https://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/history.html
 

LAD
(Laboratory Astrophysics Division)
(AAS division supporting laboratory work relevant to astrophysics)
(organization,astronomy)
(See: American Astronomical Society (AAS))
https://lad.aas.org/
 

Large Area Debris Collector
(LAD-C)
(planned ISS instrument to collect space debris for analysis)
(instrument,plan,past)
 

Large Earth-based Solar Telescope
(LEST)
(1990s plan for 2.4 m solar telescope)
(telescope,Sun,plan,past,Canary Islands)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1991AdSpR..11..157E/abstract

Referenced by page:
solar physics

 

laser
(maser-like device for visible light)
(instrument type)
(See: maser)

Referenced by pages:
adaptive optics (AO)
beat frequency
coherent light
collimator
DAVINCI
DECIGO
grating
guide star (GS)
imaging Fourier transform spectroscopy (IFTS)
InSight
JUICE
LARES
laser com
LIGO
LISA
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)
Mars Global Surveyor (MGS)
Mars Observer (MO)
Mars Science Laboratory (MSL)
MESSENGER
MMX
NEAR Shoemaker (NEAR)
New Gravitational Wave Observatory (NGO)
Rosalind Franklin
Sagnac effect
SELENE
superradiance
TianQin
Virgo
William Herschel Telescope (WHT)

 

laser com
(lasercom)
(laser communications)
(abbreviation,technology)
(See: laser)

Referenced by page:
adaptive optics (AO)

 

Latest Supernovae
(recent supernova info collected)
(supernovae,site)
https://www.rochesterastronomy.org/supernova.html
 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
(LBNL, Berkeley Lab)
(US energy-related physics laboratory)
(organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Berkeley_National_Laboratory
https://www.lbl.gov/
 

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
(LLNL)
(US science and technology laboratory)
(organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Livermore_National_Laboratory
https://www.llnl.gov/

Referenced by page:
Axion Dark Matter Experiment (ADMX)

 

Level 5
(hyperlinked collection of astrophysics research findings)
(astrophysics,site)
http://ned.ipac.caltech.edu/level5/
 

line of sight
(LOS, sight line, line-of-sight)
(line between observer and observed object)
(abbreviation)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_sight
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/line_of_sight

Referenced by pages:
adaptive optics (AO)
angular distance
column density
current sheet
dispersion measure (DM)
Einstein delay
Giant Gemini GMOS survey (GGG survey)
halo orbit
intensity
Lyman-alpha forest
mass transfer
Messier 100 (M100)
Messier 77 (M77)
minimum mass (m sin i)
occultation
orbital inclination
Pinwheel Galaxy (M101)
plane of the sky (POS)
projected semi-major axis
pulsar timing array (PTA)
superluminal motion
surface density (Σ)
unified model
Whirlpool Galaxy (M51a)

 

LN2
(LN2)
("liquid nitrogen")
(abbreviation)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_nitrogen
 

local noon
(solar noon)
(time at a locality when the Sun is at its highest)
(time)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noon#Solar_noon
https://astronomy.swin.edu.au/cosmos/L/Local+Noon
 

local sidereal time
(LST)
(same as angular hours right ascension of the zenith)
(time,coordinates)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidereal_time
http://www.jgiesen.de/astro/astroJS/siderealClock/
 

Lock-In Amplified Externally Dispersed Interferometry
(LAEDI)
(technique for precise RV measurement)
(technique,spectrography)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2013AAS...22114910J/abstract
 

LOSVD
(line-of-sight velocity distribution)
(abbreviation,galaxies)
https://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/LOSVD
 

low noise amplifier
(LNA)
(amplifier aimed at very low noise for extremely sensitive measurement)
(instruments)
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8738531
 

LPR
(for "light pollution reduction")
(abbreviation,telescopes)
 

Lunar and Planetary Institute
(LPI)
(scientific research arm of USRA)
(organization,planets,Moon)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_and_Planetary_Institute
https://www.lpi.usra.edu
 

lunar transient phenomenon
(LTP, TLP, transient lunar phenomenon)
(observed transient on the Moon such as a flash of light)
(Moon,transient)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transient_lunar_phenomenon
https://arxiv.org/abs/0706.3947
 

Lunary and Planetary Laboratory
(LPL)
(U Arizona lab)
(organization,planets,Moon)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_and_Planetary_Laboratory
http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/
 

Magellanic Analog Dwarf Companions And Stellar Halos
(MADCASH)
(Subaru survey for dwarf glaxies beyond the Local Group)
(survey,galaxies)
(See: Subaru Telescope)
PrefixExample  
MADCASHMADCASH-2 

https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016ApJ...828L...5C/abstract
 

maggie
(maggy)
(AB magnitude)
(abbreviation,magnitude)
 

Magnetospheric eternally collapsing object
(MECO)
(theoretical state of collapsing object unable to reach BH characteristics)
(black holes,theory)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetospheric_eternally_collapsing_object
https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9803014
 

Mamajek's Law
(exoplanet discoveries are rising exponentially)
(exoplanets)
https://twitter.com/EricMamajek/status/790767025580707840
 

Mars Climate Orbiter
(MCO)
(failed Mars 1990s probe)
(Mars,spacecraft,past,NASA,atmosphere)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Climate_Orbiter
https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msp98/orbiter/
 

Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group
(MEPAG)
(NASA forum to provide input to long-term planning of Mars missions)
(NASA,organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Exploration_Program_Analysis_Group
https://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/
 

Matplotlib
(Python library for plotting)
(software,visualization,Python)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matplotlib
https://matplotlib.org/
 

Maui Optical Tracking and Identification Facility
(MOTIF)
(USAF optical/infrared telescopes to Earth-orbiting objects)
(telescope,USA)
https://www.globalsecurity.org/space/library/report/1999/nssrm/initiatives/motif.htm
 

Maui Space Surveillance Site
(MSSS)
(USAF observatory to track Earth-orbiting objects)
(observatory,USA)
https://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/msss.htm
 

Max Planck Society
(MPG, Max Planck Gessellschaft)
(association of German research institutions)
(organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Planck_Society
https://www.mpg.de/en

Referenced by page:
La Silla Observatory (LSO)

 

maximum likelihood estimation
(MLE)
(statistical method to find likely parameters)
(technique,statistics,mathematics)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximum_likelihood_estimation

Referenced by pages:
maximum likelihood mapmaking
mlmapper
rare designator prefixes

 

Measuring Oscillations in Nearby Stars
(MONS, Rømer)
(past plan for asteroseismology mission)
(spacecraft,telescope,Danish,past,plan)
http://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2000ASPC..203...73K/abstract
 

Medium-class Explorer Program
(MIDEX)
(NASA program for small science spacecraft)
(NASA,space)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorers_Program#Medium-Class_Explorers_(MIDEX)
https://explorers.gsfc.nasa.gov/midex.html

Referenced by pages:
Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE)
Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE)
IMAGE­
NASA
RXTE
SPHEREx
Swift
THEMIS
Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)
Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)
Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP)

 

Meeting of European Planetary & Cometary Observers
(MEPCO)
(1990s planet/comet observer meetings)
(meeting,planets,comets)
https://britastro.org/journal_old/archive/jun97.htm
 

Mega-Carrington
(1034 ergs, a million times that of the Carrington Event)
(unit,energy)
https://sciencesprings.wordpress.com/tag/discovery-of-extreme-superflares-on-recurrent-nova-v2487-oph/
 

membrane paradigm
(simplified black-hole model enabling calculation of some effects)
(physics,black holes)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Membrane_paradigm
 

microsatellite
(microsat)
(NASA term for a 10-100 kg small satellite)
(NASA,space,terminology)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_satellite#Microsatellites

Referenced by pages:
CHIPS
PUNCH

 

Millimeter Astronomy Legacy Team
(MALT, Millimeter Astronomer's Legacy Team)
(Australian initiative producing millimeter surveys)
(Australian,organization)
http://malt90.bu.edu/
 

Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaciónes
(MCIN)
(Spanish science ministry)
(organization,Spain)
https://www.ciencia.gob.es/Ministerio/Mision-y-organizacion.html
 

minkasi
(code for processing MUSTANG-2 data)
(code,radio)
https://github.com/sievers/minkasi
 

Minor Planet Circular
(MPC, Minor Planets And Comets)
(monthly IAU publication of observations of minor planets and comets)
(publication)
(See: Minor Planet Center (MPC))
https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/services/MPC.html
 

Minor Planet Circulars Supplement
(MPCS)
(monthly detailed IAU publication of observations of minor planets)
(publication)
(See: Minor Planet Center (MPC))
https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/services/MPC.html
 

Minor Planet Electronic Circular
(MPEC)
(daily news publication of IAU Minor Planet Center)
(publication)
(See: Minor Planet Center (MPC))
https://minorplanetcenter.net/iau/services/MPEC.html
 

Mission Shakti
(Indian antisatellite test.)
(space,India)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_Shakti
 

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
(MNRAS)
(UK peer-reviewed astronomy research journal)
(publication,UK)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monthly_Notices_of_the_Royal_Astronomical_Society
https://academic.oup.com/mnras/
 

MSSSO
(Mount Stromlo and Siding Spring Observatories)
(abbreviation)
https://rsaa.anu.edu.au/observatories
 

Mu Space Engineering Spacecraft
(MUSES)
(series of Japanese astronomy space missions)
(Japan,space)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MUSES_Program
 

Multi-instrument Aircraft Campaign
(MAC)
(type of aircraft based study of meteor-shower-associated dust)
(survey,dust)
https://leonid.arc.nasa.gov/
 

Multi-Pinned-Phase
(MPP)
(type of CCD with reduced signal noise)
(instruments)
http://www.roper.co.jp/Html/roper/tech_note/html/tmpp.htm
 

Multiyear Interactive Computer Almanac 1800-2050
(MICA)
(ephemerides app created by USNO)
(survey,USA)
(See: USNO)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2005AAS...207.3401O/abstract
 

nanomaggie
(maggy)
(a billionth of an AB magnitude)
(abbreviation,magnitude)
 

nanosatellite
(nanosat)
(NASA term for a 1-10 kg small satellite)
(NASA,space,terminology)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_satellite#Nanosatellites

Referenced by page:
BRITE-Constellation

 

NASA Exoplanet Archive
(online database of exoplanets)
(exoplanets,database,site)
https://exoplanetarchive.ipac.caltech.edu/
 

NASA Orbital Debris Observatory
(NODO)
(1990s telescope aimed at tracking space junk)
(telescope,NASA,past)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_Orbital_Debris_Observatory
http://www.astro.ubc.ca/lmt/Nodo/index.html
 

NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive
(NSSDCA, National Space Science Data Center, NSSDC)
(NASA archive of flight information and astronomy findings)
(organization,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_Space_Science_Data_Coordinated_Archive
https://nssdca.gsfc.nasa.gov/
 

NASA Standard Breakup Model
(NSBM)
(model maintained by NASA of how satellites fragment)
(space)
https://conference.sdo.esoc.esa.int/proceedings/sdc7/paper/678/SDC7-paper678.pdf
 

National Acadamy of Sciences
(NAS)
(US organization of distinguished scientists)
(organization,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Academy_of_Sciences
http://www.nasonline.org/

Referenced by pages:
decadal survey
Space Studies Board (SSB)

 

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
(NASEM)
(US collective of three national acadamies)
(organization,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Academies_of_Sciences,_Engineering,_and_Medicine
https://www.nationalacademies.org/
 

National Bureau of Standards
(NBS)
(name of of NIST before 1988)
(organization,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Institute_of_Standards_and_Technology
https://www.nist.gov/
 

National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST)
(US agency defining standards)
(organization,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Institute_of_Standards_and_Technology
https://www.nist.gov/
 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA)
(US meteorology and oceanography agency)
(organization,USA,atmosphere)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Oceanic_and_Atmospheric_Administration
https://www.noaa.gov/

Referenced by pages:
ESA Vigil
MarsWRF
SWFO-L1
WSA-Enlil

 

National Science Foundation
(NSF)
(US government organization funding scientific research)
(organization,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Science_Foundation
https://www.nsf.gov/
 

Naval Research Laboratory
(NRL)
(US Navy scientific research arm)
(organization,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Naval_Research_Laboratory
https://www.nrl.navy.mil/
 

Near Earth Asteroid Prospector
(NEAP)
(planned space mission to look at NEOs as mining sources)
(spacecraft,near-Earth objects,plan,past)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_Earth_Asteroid_Prospector
 

Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
(NWO)
(Dutch research council)
(organization,Netherlands)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Research_Council
https://www.nwo.nl/en

Referenced by page:
Astronet

 

NELM
(naked eye limiting magnitude)
(astronomy,abbreviation)
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/312640-what-to-determine-a-nelm/
 

NEODyS
(Near Earth Objects Dynamic Site)
(web service to providing information on NEOs)
(site,near-Earth objects,Italian)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEODyS
https://newton.spacedys.com/neodys/
 

Nili Fossae
(region of grabens on Mars)
(Mars)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nili_Fossae
 

non-thermal
(NT)
(regarding radiation other than black-body)
(abbreviation,EMR)
http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/cosmos/N/Non-thermal+Radiation

Referenced by page:
synchrotron radiation

 

Norsk Astronomisk Selskap
(NAS, Norwegian Astronomical Society)
(Norwegian non-profit association of astronomers)
(organization,Norway)
http://www.nas-veven.no/wp/
 

North American Meteor Network
(NAMN)
(former group of amateurs with an interest in meteors)
(organization,meteors,past)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Meteor_Network
 

NumPy
(Python library for numerical programming with arrays)
(software,computation,Python)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NumPy
https://numpy.org/
 

observable
(any physical phenomenon that you can detect)
(quantum mechanics,physics)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Observable
 

odd radio circle
(ORC)
(extragalactic ring-shaped radio source noticed in 2020)
(object type,radio)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odd_radio_circle
https://arxiv.org/abs/2006.14805
 

Odyssey
(research supercomputer at Harvard sometimes used for astrophysics simulations)
(computer,Harvard)
https://www.rc.fas.harvard.edu/news-home/feature-stories/simulations-run-on-odyssey-lead-to-first-realistic-virtual-universe/
 

Okayama Astrophysical Observatory
(OAO)
(observatory at Mt. Chikurinji)
(observatory,Japan)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Astronomical_Observatory_of_Japan
http://www.oao.nao.ac.jp/en/
 

Oort Cloud Object
(OCO)
(object in Oort Cloud such as a comet)
(comets,minor planets,solar system)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oort_cloud
http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/cosmos/O/Oort+Cloud
 

Outer Planets Assessment Group
(OPAG)
(NASA forum to provide input to long-term planning of outer planets missions)
(NASA,organization)
https://www.lpi.usra.edu/opag/
 

outrigger
(radio receiver some distance from main receiver for direction determination)
(radio,telescopes)
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/03/homespun-canadian-telescope-could-explain-mysterious-radio-signals-distant-universe
 

Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council
(PPARC)
(former UK science agency)
(UK,organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particle_Physics_and_Astronomy_Research_Council
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C17990
 

PDR
(preliminary design review)
(review checking initial design with requirements)
(missions,abbreviation)
 

photographic magnitude
(magnitude derived from photographic plate)
(measure,brightness,logarithmic,EMR)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photographic_magnitude
 

Planetary Science Institute
(PSI)
(US research institution)
(USA,organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planetary_Science_Institute
http://www.psi.edu/
 

PlanetQuest
(NASA publicity name for efforts to find exoplanets and life)
(program,NASA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlanetQuest
https://www.facebook.com/NasaPlanetquest/
 

pointing
(the directing of a telescope at a point in the celestial sphere)
(telescopes)

Referenced by pages:
chopping mirror
guide star (GS)

 

pole star
(star aligned with a planet's axis of rotation)
(star type)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pole_star
 

quasi-biennial oscillation
(QBO)
(reversal of Earth equatorial prevailing winds roughly every two years)
(Earth,atmosphere)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quasi-biennial_oscillation
https://climatedataguide.ucar.edu/climate-data/qbo-quasi-biennial-oscillation
 

réseau
(grid on photographic plate to assist in astrometry)
(astrometry)
 

radian
(rad)
(angle/arc measurement equivalent to 180/π degrees)
(mathematics,unit)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radian
https://astronomy.swin.edu.au/cosmos/R/Radian

Referenced by page:
solid angle (Ω)

 

Radio Optical Reference Frame
(RORF)
(1994 celestial reference frame based on 436 sources)
(coordinate system,celestial sphere)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1995IAUS..166..381Z/abstract
 

Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator
(RTG)
(type of spacecraft power source for instruments)
(space,instruments)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioisotope_thermoelectric_generator
 

RAS JobList
(directory of astrophysics jobs)
(site,astronomy,database,UK)
(See: Royal Astronomy Society (RAS))
https://ras.ac.uk/membership/RAS-job-list
 

Red de Infraestructuras de Astronomie
(RIA)
(Spanish astronomy research organization)
(organization,Spain)
https://riastronomia.es/en/

Referenced by page:
Astronet

 

Research Experience for Undergraduates
(REU)
(NSF funding program)
(program,NSF,education)
https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/
 

Research Foundation - Flanders
(FWO)
(Belgian research council)
(organization,Belgium)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_Foundation_-_Flanders_(FWO)
https://www.fwo.be/en/

Referenced by page:
Astronet

 

Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science
(ROSES)
(NASA program)
(program)
https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/solicitations/roses-2022/research-opportunities-space-and-earth-sciences-roses-2022-be-released-february-14-2022
 

Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics
(RSAA)
(Australian National University astrophysics school)
(organization,Australia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_National_University
https://rsaa.anu.edu.au/
 

RIX
(review item exchange)
(enquiry/answer about some issue regarding a project review)
(missions,abbreviation)
 

Royal Astronomy Society
(RAS)
(UK society supporting and promoting astronomy)
(UK,organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Astronomical_Society
https://ras.ac.uk/

Referenced by page:
RAS JobList

 

Royal Astronomy Society of Canada
(RASC)
(Canadian society supporting and promoting astronomy)
(Canada,organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Astronomical_Society_of_Canada
https://www.rasc.ca/
 

Royal Greenwich Observatory
(RGO)
(former UK national observatory)
(observatory,organization,UK)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Observatory,_Greenwich
http://www.royalobservatorygreenwich.org/
 

Santa Barbara Instrument Group
(SBIG)
(old name of Santa Barbara Scientific, telescope instrument manufacturer)
(USA,instruments)
https://www.sbscientific.com/
 

satellite constellation
(satcon, satellite mega-constellation)
(group of many coordinated satellites such as for communication)
(space)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_constellation
https://aas.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/Seitzer_SIAAAS_2020May26.pdf

Referenced by pages:
BRITE-Constellation
dark sky
light pollution

 

satellite constellation
(type of communication system incorporating tens/hundreds of satellites)
(space)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_constellation
 

Science and Engineering Research Council
(SERC)
(old name of UK's EPSRC)
(organization,UK)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_and_Engineering_Research_Council
https://epsrc.ukri.org/about/history/ourbeginnings/
 

Science and Technology Facilities Council, UK
(STFC)
(UK research agency)
(organization,UK)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_and_Technology_Facilities_Council
https://www.ukri.org/councils/stfc/

Referenced by page:
Astronet

 

SciPy
(Python library for scientific programming)
(software,Python)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SciPy
https://www.scipy.org/
 

SDSS-DR12 Quasars
(SDSS-DR12Q)
(catalog of quasar information in SDSS DR12)
(catalog,quasars)
(See: Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS))
 

SDSS-DR16 Quasars
(SDSS-DR16Q)
(catalog of quasar information in SDSS DR16)
(catalog,quasars)
(See: Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS))
 

Segue 3
(faint star cluster i the constellation Pegasus)
(globular cluster,Milky Way)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segue_3
 

SHAM
(sub-halo abundance mapping)
(method of galaxy mock-catalog creation)
(simulations)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2006MNRAS.371.1173V/abstract
 

showyourwork!
(workflow software for reproducible research)
(software)
https://show-your.work/
 

Simultaneous Quad Infrared Imaging Device
(QUIID)
(NOAO instrument imaging in four infrared bands at once)
(instrument,infrared)
https://www.noao.edu/kpno/sqiid/sqiidmanual.html
 

Sky & Telescope
(S&T)
(amateur astronomy publication)
(publication)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_%26_Telescope
https://www.skyandtelescope.com/
 

sky quality meter
(SQM)
(device to measure the brightness/magnitude of the sky itself.)
(astronomy)
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/312640-what-to-determine-a-nelm/
 

Small Bodies Names Committee
(SBNC)
(old name of IAU Committee for Small Body Nomenclature)
(IAU,organization,past)
(See: International Astronomical Union (IAU))
https://www.iau.org/static/science/scientific_bodies/working_groups/97/wg-sbn-triennial-report-2015-2018.pdf
 

Small Explorer Program
(SMEX)
(NASA program for small science spacecraft)
(NASA,space)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorers_Program#Small_Explorers_(SMEX)
https://explorers.gsfc.nasa.gov/smex.html

Referenced by pages:
ESPEX
Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX)
Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX)
IXPE
NASA
NuSTAR
PUNCH
TRACE
Wide Field Infrared Explorer (WIRE)

 

small satellite
(smallsat)
(NASA term for a satellite of 1200 kg or less)
(NASA,space,terminology)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_satellite
 

smoking gun
(convincing piece of evidence)
(terminology)
 

Snapshot Program
(SNAP)
(short HST observation program aimed to fit between more substantial programs)
(surveys)
http://www.stsci.edu/itt/APT_help/CP_Cycle21/3_Proposal_Categories04.html
 

Snowmass
(initiative recommending the next decade's particle physics strategy)
(initiative,USA,particles)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowmass_Process
https://snowmass21.org/
 

Société astronomique de France
(SAF, French Astronomical Society)
(French non-profit astronomical society)
(organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Société_astronomique_de_France
https://saf-astronomie.fr/en-french-astronomical-society/
 

Sociedad Astronómica de Valparaíso y Viña del Mar
(SAVAL)
(Chilean amateur astronomy society)
(Chile,organization)
https://www.facebook.com/AstroSaval/
 

Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers
(SARA)
(US organization)
(USA,organization,radio,astronomy)
http://www.radio-astronomy.org/
 

Solar Influences Data Analysis Center
(SDIC, Sunspot Index Data Center)
(Royal Observatory of Belgium division on solar weather data)
(organization,Belgium,Sun)
http://sidc.oma.be/
 

Solar Mesophere Explorer
(SME, Explorer 64)
(1980s Earth atmospheric ozone research satellite)
(spacecraft,NASA,Sun,atmosphere)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Mesosphere_Explorer
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/solar-mesosphere-explorer-sme/

Referenced by page:
solar physics

 

solar powered satellite
(SPS)
(concept for a satellite to collect and transfer energy to Earth)
(concept,spacecraft)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power
https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/niac/2011_Practical_Solar_Power_Satellite
 

Southeast Asia Astronomy Network
(SEAAN)
(astronomy research/education organization)
(organization)
http://conference.narit.or.th/seaan/
 

Southern Observatory for Near Earth Asteroids Research
(SONEAR)
(private telescope tracking NEOs)
(telescope,Brazil,near-Earth objects)
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2019/08/Southern_Observatory_for_Near_Earth_Asteroids_Research_in_Minas_Gerais_Brazil
 

Southwest Research Institute
(SwRI)
(Texas research organization)
(organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwest_Research_Institute
https://www.swri.org/
 

Space Interferometry Mission
(SIM)
(past space interferometer plan for parallax and exoplanet detection)
(spacecraft,plan,past,NASA,interferometer)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Interferometry_Mission
https://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/future/sim.html
 

Space Research Organization of the Netherlands
(SRON)
(national research institution)
(organization,Netherlands)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlands_Institute_for_Space_Research
https://www.sron.nl/
 

Space Studies Board
(SSB)
(National Academy of Sciences unit re astronomy an research via spacecraft)
(organization,USA)
(See: National Acadamy of Sciences (NAS))
https://www.nationalacademies.org/ssb/space-studies-board
 

Space Studies Institute
(SSI)
(organization promoting interest in and use of space technology)
(organization,space)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Studies_Institute
http://ssi.org/
 

Space Surveillance Telescope
(SST)
(3.5-m US telescope to discover and monitor objects in space)
(telescope,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Surveillance_Telescope

Referenced by pages:
LINEAR
monolithic mirror
near-Earth object (NEO)

 

Space Telescope Science Data Analysis System
(STSDAS)
(software designed for analysis of HST data)
(software,HST)
http://www.stsci.edu/institute/software_hardware/stsdas
 

Space Transport System
(STS)
(early NASA plan for a Space-Shuttle-like vehicle)
(past,plan,NASA,space)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Transportation_System
 

Spaceguard Centre
(Near Earth Objects Information Centre, NEOIC)
(UK private observatory dedicated to NEOs)
(UK,observatory,near-Earth objects)
https://spaceguardcentre.com/
 

SpaceGuard Foundation
(SGF)
(private organization to discover and track NEOs)
(organization,near-Earth objects)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Spaceguard_Foundation
 

Spacelab
(SL)
(reusable laboratory that was an optional Space Shuttle payload)
(space,ESA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spacelab
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Space_Shuttle/Spacelab
 

Special Breakthrough Prize
(Breakthrough Prize award in addition to the year's annual awards)
(award,physics)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakthrough_Prize
https://breakthroughprize.org/
 

Stampede
(research supercomputer at U. Texas)
(computer)
https://www.tacc.utexas.edu/systems/stampede
 

STAR Academy
(Arecbio pre-college program)
(program,education)
https://www.naic.edu/stars/
 

STarSPot
(STSP)
(code to model starspots)
(code,stars)
https://github.com/lesliehebb/STSP
 

Stellar Planet Survey
(STEPS)
(astrometric search for planets around nearby stars)
(survey,exoplanets)
http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2003ASPC..294..107P/abstract
 

Steward Observatory Asteroid Relational Database
(SOARD)
(1980s/1990s repository of asteroid data)
(data,asteroids)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1991ulpr.nasaQ....S/abstract
 

Stripe 82
(S82, SDSS Stripe 82)
(SDSS field in southern hemisphere)
(abbreviation,survey field)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stripe_82
 

Students for the Exploration and Development of Space
(SEDS)
(student-run organization focused on space exploration)
(organization)
http://seds.org/
 

Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite
(SWAS)
(submillimeter space telescope operating 1998-2004)
(spacecraft,NASA,telescope,submillimeter)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submillimeter_Wave_Astronomy_Satellite
https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/swas/
 

super Mercury
(like the planet Mercury only larger)
(planet type)

Referenced by page:
planet type

 

superconducting quantum interference device
(SQUID)
(type of very sensitive magnetometer using Josephson junctions)
(instrument type)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQUID
 

superior conjunction
(conjunction of an "superior planet", Mars, Jupiter, etc.)
(astronomy)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conjunction_(astronomy)
 

superstring theory
(version of string theory including supersymmetry)
(physics)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstring_theory
 

Swedish-ESO Submillimetre Telescope
(SEST)
(1990s 15 m submillimeter telescope in Chile)
(telescope,past,infrared)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish-ESO_Submillimetre_Telescope
http://www.apex-telescope.org/sest/
 

TAC
(telescope allocation committee)
(abbreviation)
https://science.nrao.edu/observing/proposal-types/time-allocation-committee
 

TAC
(time allocation committee (for telescopes))
(abbreviation)
https://www.noao.edu/gateway/tac/
 

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research - India
(TIFR)
(Indian math and science research institute)
(organization,India)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tata_Institute_of_Fundamental_Research
https://www.tifr.res.in/

Referenced by page:
Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT)

 

telescope nut
(TN)
(avid amateur telescope maker self-description)
(abbreviation)
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/651720-bob-cox-10-f8/
 

telescope operator
(TO)
(professional technical position at a research telescope site)
(abbreviation)
https://www.postmatric.co.za/telescope-operator/
 

Telescopes in Education
(TIE)
(program giving grade-school students access to robotic telescopes)
(organization)
http://www.telescopesineducation.org/
 

terrestrial gamma-ray flash
(TGF)
(gamma rays emitted from Earth lightning storms)
(atmosphere,Earth,gamma rays)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrestrial_gamma-ray_flash
https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/31dec_tgfs
 

The Amateur Sky Survey
(TASS)
(amateur comet and variable-star search survey)
(survey,comets,variable stars)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1997AAS...190.3010D/abstract
 

The Near Earth Space Surveillance Initiative
(NESSI)
(collaboration to survey NEOs)
(survey,near-Earth objects)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2005AAS...20717314M/abstract
 

thermal infrared
(TIR)
(infrared emission due to black body radiation)
(abbreviation,infrared,black body)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2014acm..conf..391O/abstract
 

Thousand Astronomical Units
(TAU)
(1980s plan for space probe to travel 1000 AU over 50 years)
(spacecraft,plan,past,NASA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TAU_(spacecraft)
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19870019057.pdf
 

Tiangong space station
(Chinese manned space laboratory under construction in space)
(spacecraft,construction,Chinese)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiangong_space_station
http://en.cmse.gov.cn/
 

timestream
(stream of digital data representing measurements taken over time)
(computation)
 

TLM
(magnitude of the dimmest astronomical object you can see)
(astronomy,abbreviation)
http://fisherka.csolutionshosting.net/astronote/plan/tlmnelm/LimitMagFields.htm
 

TOA
(time of arrival)
(abbreviation)
 

ToO
(target of opportunity)
(abbreviation)
 

total infrared
(TIR)
(typically meaning a wide wavelength range covering NIR to FIR)
(abbreviation,infrared)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016A%26A...592A.155S/abstract
 

total infrared luminosity
(LTIR)
(luminosity over a wide IR range)
(abbreviation,infrared,luminosity)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016A%26A...592A.155S/abstract
 

Toward Other Planetary Systems
(TOPS)
(workshops on developing techniques and observing programs)
(meeting)
https://www.nrao.edu/archives/Burke/burke_item_comm-tops.shtml
 

Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System
(TDRSS)
(NASA satellites used for communication and tracking of space probes)
(NASA,space)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracking_and_Data_Relay_Satellite_System
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/tracking-and-data-relay-satellites/
 

Transits of Extrasolar Planets
(TEP)
(late 1990s search for transiting planets)
(survey,exoplanets)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1998A%26A...338..479D/abstract
 

UF
("ultra faint")
(abbreviation)
(See: ultra-faint dwarf galaxy (UFD))
 

UK Space Agency
(UKSA)
(UK government agency like NASA)
(organization,UK)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Space_Agency
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency
 

unidentified flying object
(UFO)
(reported but unexplained observation)
(abbreviation)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unidentified_flying_object
 

United States Geological Survey
(USGS)
(US government geological division)
(USA,organization,geophysics)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Geological_Survey
https://www.usgs.gov/
 

United States Space Force
(USSF, US Space Force, Space Force)
(US space-related military organization)
(organization,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Space_Force
https://www.spaceforce.mil/

Referenced by page:
LINEAR

 

United States Space Surveillance Network
(SSN, Space Surveillance Network)
(US survey-effort of space objects of interest)
(telescopes,USA)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Space_Surveillance_Network
https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/intelligence/2023-03-13/whats-there-where-it-and-whats-it-doing-us-space-surveillance
 

Universities Space Research Association
(USRA)
(university research collaboration)
(organization)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universities_Space_Research_Association
https://www.usra.edu/
 

US ELT Program
(US-ELTP)
(NOIRlab program supporting the TMT and GMT)
(project,telescopes)
(See: Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) and
Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT))
https://noirlab.edu/science/programs/us-eltp
 

Variable Star Observers League in Japan
(VSOLJ)
(amateur variable star group)
(organization,variable stars,Japan)
http://vsolj.cetus-net.org/
 

velocity orientation-space
(space with one dimension of RV and two dimensions of orientation)
(data)
http://www.ctio.noao.edu/noao/content/Kinematic-Identification-Young-Nearby-Moving-Groups-Sample-Chromospherically-Active-Stars
 

Venus Orbiting Imaging Radar
(VOIR)
(1980s plan for Venus probe to map the surface)
(plan,past,Venus,spacecraft)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_Orbiting_Imaging_Radar
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1981ESASP.164..189L/abstract
 

Venus-Earth-Earth Gravity Assist
(VEEGA)
(interplanetary method of Galileo spacecraft)
(abbreviation,gravity,space)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1989JAnSc..37..281D/abstract
 

Vereinigung der Sternfreunde
(VdS)
(German amateur astronomy association)
(organization,Germany)
https://www.vds-astro.de/
 

very low luminosity object
(VeLLO)
(term sometimes used for protostars with luminosity less than 0.1 solar)
(object type,abbreviation,luminosity)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2017A%26A...600A..36V/abstract
 

very low mass
(VLM)
(abbreviation)
(abbreviation,mass)
https://arxiv.org/abs/1303.6652
 

very small grains
(VSG)
(dust grains of just a few molecules)
(dust,abbreviation)
 

Vetenskapsrådet
(Swedish research council)
(organization,Sweden)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_Research_Council
https://www.vr.se/english.html

Referenced by page:
Astronet

 

Virtual Meteor Observatory
(VMO)
(online database of meteors)
(database,meteors)
https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/meteor/vmo
 

VisieR
(online astronomical catalog contents/data)
(database,astronomy,site)
http://vizier.u-strasbg.fr/
 

vulcanoid
(theoretical asteroid orbiting within Mercury's orbit)
(minor planets,solar system,object type,theory)
 

white hole
(the inverse of a black hole, into which matter cannot enter)
(physics,relativity)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_hole
 

white paper
(WP)
(paper giving a general explanation of an issue or proposal)
(abbreviation)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_paper
 

WISARD
(Web Interface for Searching Archival Research Data)
(early Internet-based interface to NASA data)
(database,NASA)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1996ASPC..101..528O/abstract
 

WISE x SuperCOSMOS photometric redshift catalog
(WISExSCOSPZ)
(catalog of distant galaxies in WISE and SuperCOSMOS)
(catalog,galaxies,redshift)
(See: Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE))
http://ssa.roe.ac.uk/WISExSCOS.html
 

WIT
("what is it" for an unexplainable object)
(abbreviation,object type)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VVV-WIT-07
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2020MNRAS.492.4847L/abstract
 

WIYN
(Wisconsin-Indiana-Yale-NOAO)
(abbreviation,organization)
http://ast.noao.edu/facilities/wiyn

Referenced by page:
WIYN Open Cluster Study (WOCS)

 

Wolf-Rayet supernova
(identified by rapidly expanding carbon, oxygen and neon)
(transient type,supernovae)
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2022Natur.601..201G/abstract
 

Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature
(WGPSN)
(IAU group on terminology regarding planetary systems)
(planets,stars,IAU)
(See: International Astronomical Union (IAU))
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planetary_nomenclature
https://www.iau.org/science/scientific_bodies/working_groups/98/
 

Working Group on Accessibility and Disability
(WGAD)
(AAS working group)
(organization,astronomy)
(See: American Astronomical Society (AAS))
https://aas.org/comms/wgad
 

wrt
("with respect to")
(abbreviation)
 

XMM-Newton Science Analysis System
(SAS, XMM-Newton SAS)
(software designed to analyze XMM-Newton X-ray data)
(software)
https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/how-to-use-sas
 

zenith hourly rate
(ZHR)
(a meteor shower's maximum meteors/per/hour rate)
(abbreviation,meteors)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenithal_hourly_rate
 

Zenodo
(online repository for making research data available)
(site)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenodo
https://zenodo.org/
 

Zooniverse
(effort supporting research through crowdsourcing)
(crowdsource,site)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zooniverse
https://www.zooniverse.org/

Referenced by pages:
Disk Detective
Galaxy Zoo
Galaxy Zoo 2 (GZ2)
Hubble Asteroid Hunter
Planet Hunters (PH)
Radio Galaxy Zoo (RGZ)

 

Index