Observational astronomy is a fundamental branch of astronomy that involves making detailed observations of stars, galaxies, exoplanets, and other cosmic phenomena using a variety of instruments and techniques.

Several of the podcast episodes discuss the observational aspects of astronomy, including observations of the life cycle of stars, the use of radio telescopes and the James Webb Space Telescope to study the early universe, Galileo Galilei's pioneering use of the telescope for observational astronomy, observations of black holes by the Event Horizon Telescope project, and the scientific opportunities presented by solar eclipses for studying the sun's corona and inner workings.

Observational astronomy is a crucial component of our understanding of the universe, as it provides the empirical data and insights that drive advancements in theoretical astrophysics and cosmology.