Theoretical astronomy

In astronomy, theoretical astronomy is a typically used opposite to observational astronomy, grouping theory discussion about astronomical topics that are not directly based on observations. Theory used to describe or interpret observational astronomy experiments and results is theoretical astronomy or before the experiments, theoretical observational astronomy.

The term "theoretical astronomy" is sometimes used as the counterpoint for observational astronomy:

"Observational and theoretical astronomy are fast-paced fields in which progress depends on a broad range of long-term, large-scale facility investments, from international observatories to high-performance computing."[1]

Publications from experts in fields outside of astronomy also use this counterpoint:

“Observational astronomy entails gathering and evaluating information from telescopes and other devices that find various kinds of space-derived electromagnetic radiation or particles. To describe and forecast the behavior of celestial objects and phenomena based on the laws of physics and chemistry, theoretical astronomy develops models and simulations.”[2]

Another example from fluid mechanics:

"Especially, well-known continuum models, which have firstly been found in fluid mechanics, next became the key patterns in theoretical astronomy, electrodynamics, string theory, etc."[3]

Prominent astrophysicist Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, known for his work on non-standard cosmology also used this counterpoint in a 1990 article describing a curriculum for astronomy.[4]

In the sense of an opposite to observational astronomy, theoretical astronomy would include physical cosmology along with its subtopics, large-scale structure and galaxy formation and evolution as well as topics described as astrophysics like stellar dynamics.[5]

"Computational astronomy is gaining popularity in many fields. A new 'telescope' for theoretical astronomy has opened its eyes. I expect that ATERUI II will explore the Universe through more realistic simulations."[6]

"With its superior computational capability, ATERUI II will tackle problems too difficult for previous computers. For example, ATERUI II is able to calculate the mutual gravitational forces among the 200 billion stars in the Milky Way Galaxy, rather than bunching them into groups of stars the way other simulations do. In this way ATERUI II will generate a full-scale high-resolution model of the Milky Way Galaxy."[6]

"Observational astronomy entails gathering and evaluating information from telescopes and other devices that find various kinds of space-derived electromagnetic radiation or particles. To describe and forecast the behavior of celestial objects and phenomena based on the laws of physics and chemistry, theoretical astronomy develops models and simulations."[7]

"Theoretical astronomy" appears in the names of some institutes:

• "Virginia Institute of Theoretical Astronomy".[8]
• Former "Institute of Theoretical Astronomy"[9] created in 1967 and merged in to Institute of Astronomy in 1972.[10]
• The Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics at Northwestern University has a postdoc position named "Postdoctoral Associate Positions in Observational and Theoretical Astronomy & Astrophysics".[11]

• In 1868, James Craig Watson wrote "Theoretical Astronomy" (New ed.). New York: Dover Publications.
• In 1912 Buchholz Klinkerfues wrote "Theoretische Astronomie" in German.[12]
• In 1933, the growing use of theoretical methods in astronomy was noted in an letter to Nature.[13]
• In 1968 M. F. Subbotin wrote "Introduction to Theoretical Astronomy" in Russian Moskva: Nauka, 800 p. [[1]].
• On February 17, 2017, "Two researchers in the Division of Theoretical Astronomy, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, received awards from the Inoue Foundation for Science."[14]

• Introduction to Cataclysmic Variables (CVs)
• L. Sidoli, 2008 Transient outburst mechanisms
• Commentary on "The Compendium of Plain Astronomy" is a manuscript from 1665 about theoretical astronomy