Defining body
International Astronomical Union (IAU)
The international body, founded in 1919, that is the recognised authority for astronomical nomenclature and standards — it defines constellation boundaries, names celestial bodies and their features, and adopts the reference systems and constants used throughout astronomy, including the International Celestial Reference System.
Highlights
- ›The authority for astronomical names, boundaries, and reference systems
Related systems & concepts
Knowledge connections
- Associated withThe International Celestial Reference System
- Associated withThe Equatorial Coordinate System
- Associated withInternational Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS)
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- IAUInternational Astronomical Union
Official naming, definitions, constellation boundaries, and astronomical nomenclature.