astrography
|as-tro-gra-phy|
/ˌæstrəˈɡræfi/
writing/mapping of stars
Etymology
'astrography' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'astron' meaning 'star' and 'graphia' meaning 'writing' or 'description', adopted into New/Modern Latin and English as the suffix '-graphy' meaning 'field of writing or study'.
'astrography' was formed in English from Greek roots via New Latin/modern coinage: Greek 'astron' + Greek 'graphia' → Late Latin/Modern Latin formation → English 'astrography'.
Initially a literal compound meaning 'writing or description of the stars', it has come to denote more specialized practices such as star-mapping (cartography of the heavens) and photographic recording of celestial objects.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the science or practice of mapping and describing the positions, magnitudes, and motions of the stars; stellar cartography.
Historically, astrography played an important role in celestial navigation and the creation of star catalogs.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
the practice or technique of photographing celestial bodies (closely related to astrophotography); use of photographic instruments to record stars and other astronomical objects.
Modern astrography often uses wide-field astrographs to photograph large areas of the sky for survey work.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/08 02:46