The following outline is provided as an overview and topical guide to space science: Space science encompasses all of the scientific disciplines that involve space exploration and study natural phenomena and physical bodies occurring in outer space, such as space medicine and astrobiology. Branches of space sciences Astronomy See astronomical object for a list of specific types of entities which scientists study. See Earth's location in the universe for an orientation. Subfields of astronomy: Astrophysics – branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior. Among the objects studied are galaxies, stars, planets, exoplanets, the interstellar medium and the cosmic microwave background; and the properties examined include luminosity, density, temperature, and chemical composition. The subdisciplines of theoretical astrophysics are: Computational astrophysics – The study of astrophysics using computational methods and tools to develop computational models. Plasma astrophysics – studies properties of plasma in outer space. Space physics – study of plasmas as they occur naturally in the Earth's upper atmosphere (aeronomy) and within the Solar System. Solar physics – Sun and its interaction with the remainder of the Solar System and interstellar space. Stellar astronomy – concerned with Star formation, physical properties, main sequence life span, variability, stellar evolution and extinction. Galactic astronomy – deals with the structure and components of our galaxy and of other galaxies. Extragalactic astronomy – study of objects (mainly galaxies) outside our galaxy, including Galaxy formation and evolution. Cosmology Physical cosmology – origin and evolution of the universe as a whole. The study of cosmology is theoretical astrophysics at its largest scale. Chemical cosmology - study of the chemical composition of matter in the universe and the processes that led to those compositions. Quantum cosmology – the study of cosmology through the use of quantum field theory to explain phenomena general relativity cannot due to limitations in its framework. Planetary Science – study of planets, moons, and planetary systems. Atmospheric science – study of atmospheres and weather. Planetary geology Planetary oceanography Exoplanetology – various planets outside of the Solar System Astrochemistry – studies the abundance and reactions of molecules in the Universe, and their interaction with radiation. Interdisciplinary studies of astronomy: Astrobiology – studies the advent and evolution of biological systems in the universe. Space biology – studies to build a better understanding of how spaceflight affects living systems