#asteroid
- Asteroidea — A major taxonomic class of marine invertebrates in the phylum Echinodermata, grouping all true species of starfish; they are characterized by a flat central disc body from which multiple radiate arms (typically five) extend symmetrically, covered by a calcareous exoskeleton and equipped with tube feet for locomotion.
- Astraea — The virgin goddess of innocence, purity, and justice in Greek mythology, daughter of Astraeus and Eos, considered the last immortal to leave Earth at the end of the Iron Age to seek refuge in the sky, where she became the constellation Virgo. In astronomy, it denotes 5 Astraea, a large main-belt asteroid discovered in 1845 by Karl Ludwig Hencke, and in zoology, it represents a genus of medium to large sea snails in the family Turbinidae.
- Atalante — A graphical variant or inflected form associated with the mythological heroine Atalanta. In astronomy, 'Atalante' (36 Atalante) is the name of a large, dark main-belt asteroid discovered in 1855 by astronomer Hermann Goldschmidt. The term also designates various historical naval ships, localities, or geographical features named in honor of the famous huntress from Hellenic legends.
- Aurelia — A classic feminine given name of Latin origin, derived directly from the Roman gentile name 'Aurelia', based on the etymon 'aureus' (golden, brilliant). The name carries nuances of nobility, purity, and solar splendor; in astronomy, it designates a large main-belt asteroid (419 Aurelia) discovered at the end of the 19th century.
- Baade — A proper surname of German origin, predominantly associated in scientific contexts with the astronomer Wilhelm Heinrich Walter Baade (1893–1960). His foundational contributions include defining the two distinct stellar populations (Population I and Population II), recalibrating cosmic distances by revising the Cepheid period-luminosity relation, and discovering major asteroids, with his name being given to the lunar crater Baade, asteroid 1501 Baade, and an observational window toward the galactic center.