Astronomy is the scientific study of the universe and of objects that exist naturally in space, such as the moon, the sun, planets, and stars. Inspirational astronomy quotes will encourage you to think a little deeper than you usually would and broaden your perspective.
If you’re searching for famous science quotes that perfectly capture what you’d like to say or just want to feel inspired yourself, browse through an amazing collection of popular biology quotes, powerful chemistry quotes and famous physics quotes.
Famous Astronomy Quotes
In my studies of astronomy and philosophy I hold this opinion about the universe, that the Sun remains fixed in the centre of the circle of heavenly bodies, without changing its place; and the Earth, turning upon itself, moves round the Sun. Galileo Galilei
Man must rise above the Earth—to the top of the atmosphere and beyond—for only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives. Socrates
The contemplation of celestial things will make a man both speak and think more sublimely and magnificently when he descends to human affairs. Marcus Tullius Cicero
Astronomy compels the soul to look upward, and leads us from this world to another. Plato
Chances are, when we meet intelligent life forms in outer space they’re going to be descended from predators. Michio Kaku
The purpose of life is the investigation of the Sun, the Moon, and the heavens. Anaxagoras
Astronomy, as nothing else can do, teaches men humility. Arthur C. Clarke
Mortal as I am, I know that I am born for a day, but when I follow the serried multitude of the stars in their circular course, my feet no longer touch the earth; I ascend to Zeus himself to feast me on ambrosia, the food of the gods. Ptolemy
Everything has a natural explanation. The moon is not a God, but a great rock, and the sun a hot rock. Anaxagoras
The strongest affection and utmost zeal should, I think, promote the studies concerned with the most beautiful objects. This is the discipline that deals with the universe’s divine revolutions, the stars’ motions, sizes, distances, risings and settings . . . for what is more beautiful than heaven? Nicolaus Copernicus
For astronomy is not only pleasant, but also very useful to be known: it cannot be denied that this art unfolds the admirable wisdom of God. John Calvin
Astronomy is useful because it raises us above ourselves; it is useful because it is grand; …. It shows us how small is man’s body, how great his mind, since his intelligence can embrace the whole of this dazzling immensity, where his body is only an obscure point, and enjoy its silent harmony. Henri Poincare
My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all. Stephen Hawking
Do not look at stars as bright spots only. Try to take in the vastness of the universe. Maria Mitchell
The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself. Carl Sagan
I am just learning to notice the different colors of the stars, and already begin to have a new enjoyment. Maria Mitchell
For every one billion particles of antimatter, there were one billion and one particles of matter. Albert Einstein
Astronomy taught us our insignificance in Nature. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Time and space and gravitation have no separate existence from matter. Albert Einstein
Astronomers, like burglars and jazz musicians, operate best at night. Miles Kington
I don’t think the human race will survive the next 1,000 years, unless we spread into space… But I’m an optimist. We will reach out to the stars. Stephen Hawking
For my confirmation, I didn’t get a watch and my first pair of long pants, like most Lutheran boys. I got a telescope. My mother thought it would make the best gift. Wernher von Braun
One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn’t exist. Stephen Hawking
Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science. Edwin Hubble
Earth is a small town with many neighborhoods in a very big universe. Ron Garan
I’m sure the universe is full of intelligent life. It’s just been too intelligent to come here. Arthur C. Clarke
Inspirational Astronomy Quotes
The Earth was small, light blue, and so touchingly alone, our home that must be defended like a holy relic. Alexi Leonov
The cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be. Our feeblest contemplations of the Cosmos stir us—there is a tingling in the spine, a catch in the voice, a faint sensation, as if a distant memory, or falling from a height. We know we are approaching the greatest of mysteries. Carl Sagan
It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. Neil Armstrong
If it’s a new planet, sign me up. I’m tired of driving around the block, boldly going where hundreds have gone before in orbit around earth—give me a place to go and I’ll go. Neil deGrasse Tyson
I know the sky is not the limit because there are footprints on the Moon — and I made some of them! Buzz Aldrin
To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit. Stephen Hawking
Never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination. Mae Jemison
Space isn’t remote at all. It’s only an hour’s drive away, if your car could go straight upwards. Sir Fred Hoyle
Space is for everybody. It’s not just for a few people in science or math, or for a select group of astronauts. Christa McAuliffe
Space is for everybody. It’s not just for a few people in science or math, or for a select group of astronauts. That’s our new frontier out there, and it’s everybody’s business to know about space. Christa McAuliffe
I believe that space travel will one day become as common as airline travel is today. Buzz Aldrin
I try to forget what happiness was, and when that don’t work, I study the stars. Derek Walcott
Astronomy is not the apex of science or of invention. But it is a test of the cast of temperament and mind that underlies a culture. Jacob Bronowski
I have… A terrible need… Shall I say the word? Of religion. Then I go out at night and paint the stars. Vincent Van Gogh
Every atom in your body came from a star that exploded…It really is the most poetic thing I know about physics: You are all stardust. Lawrence Krauss
We had the sky up there, all speckled with stars, and we used to lay on our backs and look up at them… Mark Twain
It is far better to grasp the universe as it is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying it may be. Carl Sagan
