optical astronomy

Noun

optical astronomy (uncountable)

1. (informal) Astronomy using observations using telescopes and recording media that capture visible light.
   • Radio astronomy is an extension of optical astronomy in that it allows the observer to "see radiations of wave lengths far greater than those of visible light1958 September 28, “Radio to Extend Astronomy's Ears”, in New York Times
   • Merely finding them in the first place — detecting their radio voices and photographing their odd and telltale light — was a cooperative triumph of radio and optical astronomy.1966 March 11, “The Man on the Mountain”, in Time Magazine

   Synonyms:

   visible-light astronomy

2. Astronomy using infrared, visible, and/or ultraviolet wavelengths.