Dive into the AST2002 Astronomy Midterm at UCF. Enhance your understanding through engaging flashcards and insightful multiple-choice questions. Prepare effectively and boost your confidence for this academic challenge!

Astronomy is fundamentally focused on the study of celestial objects and phenomena beyond Earth's atmosphere, such as stars, planets, galaxies, and the universe as a whole. This domain of science seeks to understand the nature, characteristics, and behaviors of these astronomical entities, including their formation, evolution, and interactions.

While options that discuss physical phenomena on Earth, terrestrial climates, and human interactions with the environment pertain to other scientific fields, they do not encapsulate the essence of astronomy. By concentrating on objects outside of our planet, astronomy bridges not only our understanding of the cosmos but also our place within it, revealing the vastness and complexity of space. This unique focus sets astronomy apart from other sciences, which may investigate earthly or environmental matters more directly. Thus, its primary concern is indeed with the study of celestial objects beyond Earth's atmosphere.