Astronomically: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Greek 'astron' meaning star and 'nomos' meaning law; together they imply the 'laws of the stars'.
• It entered the English language in the late 1800s, reflecting the growing interest in space and astronomy.
• Combining 'astro' with 'nomical', it emphasizes a relationship to celestial bodies and their measurements.

Science

• Distances in space are often described using this term, like how far a star is from Earth.
• The observable universe is estimated to be about 93 billion light-years in diameter, which can be described as astronomically large.
• Astronomy uses this term when discussing phenomena like black holes or supernovae, which have scales that defy everyday comprehension.

Pop Culture

• Movies often depict space travel as an astronomically challenging adventure with vast distances between planets.
• In literature, authors use this term to describe the overwhelming size of the universe, creating a sense of wonder.
• Space-related music, like Gustav Holst's 'The Planets', captures the feeling of the astronomically majestic cosmos.

Mathematics

• In mathematics, astronomically large numbers often refer to calculations involving galaxies or cosmic events.
• Mathematicians and physicists may use this term to express numbers that are beyond typical human comprehension, like googol or infinite sets.
• When discussing probabilities in cosmology, probabilities may become astronomically low depending on the scenario.

History

• Throughout history, many ancient civilizations observed celestial bodies, leading to the term's early use related to significant astronomical events.
• In the 17th century, Galileo's telescope opened new vistas, making the term more relevant as it represented discoveries that expanded our understanding of the universe.
• The launch of the Hubble Space Telescope in the 1990s provided astronomers with unprecedented, astronomically detailed images of deep space.

This word's position of #33,562 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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