Astronomical object

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Astronomical objects are significant physical entities, associations or structures which current science has demonstrated to exist in outer space. This does not necessarily mean that science will not disprove their existence in the future. Some astronomical objects, such as Themis and Neith are, in light of more recent findings, considered not to exist at all. Others, like Pluto and Ceres, prove to be of an entirely different nature than first expected. In these cases, the scientific community must come to a consensus as to the new status of these objects. Astronomical objects thought to exist based on indirect scientific evidence are considered hypothetical.

The term astronomical object is sometimes used interchangably with astronomical body. Typically an astronomical body refers to a single, cohesive structure that is bound together by gravity (and sometimes by electromagnetism). Examples include the asteroids, moons, planets and stars. Astronomical objects are gravitationally-bound structures that are associated with a position in space, but may consist of multiple independent astronomical bodies or objects. These objects range from single planets to star clusters, nebulae or entire galaxies. A comet may be described as a body, in reference to the frozen nucleus of ice and dust, or as an object, when describing the nucleus with it's diffuse coma and tail. The terms astronomical objects and astronomical bodies differ from celestial objects and celestial bodies only in that the latter terms do not include the Earth.

The table below lists the general categories of objects by their location or structure.

See also

• List of solar system objects
• Lists of astronomical objects
• List of light sources