astrophilia

Noun

astrophilia (uncountable)

1. (rare) Love of and/or obsession with planets, stars, and outer space.
   • One wonders but cannot even approximate, just what percentage of earth's population in any given century in the past has tried to go high into the sky. I suspect that the incidence of astrophilia may have been constant throughout our complicated evolution.1979 July, Charles S. Houston, “Introductory Address: Lessons to be Learned from High Altitude”, in Postgraduate Medical Journal, volume 55, number 645, page 447
   • I still follow astronomical research with interest and participate in discussions on sci.astro. But as I matured I stopped believing in miracles. I liken the exuberance of astrophiles to the desperation of cancer patients. Ask doctors what they can do about cancer, and they can't yet offer much...1997 January 12, John Ladasky, “Re: Space junk??? Not here. Time for a new newsgroup?”, in alt.politics.greens (Usenet)