"Astrophysics 'seeks to ascertain the nature of the heavenly bodies, rather than their positions or motions in space–what they are, rather than where they are.'"
The study of physical properties of celestial objects such as stars and galaxies.
Mechanics: Study of motion and forces that affect motion. It includes the study of kinematics, dynamics, and energy conservation.
Electromagnetism: Study of the interaction between electrically charged particles. It includes the study of electricity, magnetism, and electromagnetic waves.
Thermodynamics: Study of the relationship between heat, temperature, and energy. It includes the study of the laws of thermodynamics and the behavior of gases, liquids, and solids.
Optics: Study of light and its interactions with matter. It includes the study of reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference.
Quantum Mechanics: Study of the behavior of particles on a subatomic scale. It includes the study of wave-particle duality, uncertainty principle, and the Schrödinger equation.
Relativity: Study of the relationship between space, time, and gravity. It includes the study of special and general relativity.
Nuclear Physics: Study of atomic nuclei and their interactions. It includes the study of the structure and behavior of nuclei, radioactivity, and energy generation in stars.
Plasma Physics: Study of the behavior of ionized gases. It includes the study of plasmas in stars and other astrophysical settings.
Astrobiology: Study of the biology of life in the universe. It includes the study of the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe.
Stellar Astrophysics: Study of the behavior of stars. It includes the study of stellar structure, evolution, and energy generation.
Galactic Astrophysics: Study of the behavior of galaxies. It includes the study of galaxy formation, structure, and dynamics.
Cosmology: Study of the origin, evolution, and large-scale structure of the universe. It includes the study of the Big Bang theory, dark matter, and dark energy.
Galactic Astrophysics: This subfield focuses on the study of the Milky Way and other galaxies, including their structure, motions, and interactions.
Stellar Astrophysics: This subfield focuses on the study of stars, including their formation, evolution, and death.
Exoplanet Astrophysics: This subfield focuses on the study of planets outside our solar system, including their properties, orbits, and habitability.
Cosmology: This subfield focuses on the study of the large-scale structure, evolution, and origin of the universe.
High-Energy Astrophysics: This subfield focuses on the study of astrophysical phenomena that involve high energies, such as gamma-ray bursts, quasars, and black holes.
Plasma Astrophysics: This subfield focuses on the study of the behavior and properties of plasma, which is the fourth state of matter and is abundant in the universe.
Astrochemistry: This subfield focuses on the study of the chemical processes and interactions that occur in space, including the formation of molecules and the chemistry of interstellar gases.
Radio Astronomy: This subfield focuses on the study of astronomical objects and phenomena using radio waves, including radio galaxies and pulsars.
Infrared Astronomy: This subfield focuses on the study of astronomical objects and phenomena using infrared radiation, including the study of dust, gas, and star formation.
Optical Astronomy: This subfield focuses on the study of astronomical objects and phenomena using visible light, including the study of stars, galaxies, and planetary atmospheres.
X-ray Astronomy: This subfield focuses on the study of astronomical objects and phenomena using X-rays, including the study of black holes, supernovae, and clusters of galaxies.
Solar Astrophysics: This subfield focuses on the study of the Sun and its effects on the Earth and other planets, including the study of solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
Neutrino Astrophysics: This subfield focuses on the study of neutrinos, which are subatomic particles that are created in the Sun and other astronomical objects and can provide information about their properties and behavior.
Gravitational Wave Astrophysics: This subfield focuses on the study of gravitational waves, which are ripples in the fabric of space-time that are created by violent astrophysical events such as the collision of black holes.
Computational Astrophysics: This subfield focuses on the use of computational methods and simulations to study astrophysical phenomena and processes. This includes the use of numerical models to study the formation of galaxies and the evolution of stars.
"Among the subjects studied are the Sun (solar physics), other stars, galaxies, extrasolar planets, the interstellar medium, and the cosmic microwave background."
"Astrophysicists apply concepts and methods from many disciplines of physics, including classical mechanics, electromagnetism, statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, relativity, nuclear and particle physics, and atomic and molecular physics."
"Properties examined include luminosity, density, temperature, and chemical composition."
"Some areas of study for astrophysicists include their attempts to determine the properties of dark matter, dark energy, black holes, and other celestial bodies; and the origin and ultimate fate of the universe."
"In practice, modern astronomical research often involves a substantial amount of work in the realms of theoretical and observational physics."
"Topics also studied by theoretical astrophysicists include Solar System formation and evolution; stellar dynamics and evolution; galaxy formation and evolution; magnetohydrodynamics; large-scale structure of matter in the universe; origin of cosmic rays; general relativity, special relativity, quantum and physical cosmology, including string cosmology and astroparticle physics."
"Among the subjects studied are the Sun (solar physics), other stars, galaxies, extrasolar planets, the interstellar medium, and the cosmic microwave background."
"Emissions from these objects are examined across all parts of the electromagnetic spectrum."
"Astrophysics 'seeks to ascertain the nature of the heavenly bodies, rather than their positions or motions in space–what they are, rather than where they are.'"
"Some areas of study for astrophysicists include their attempts to determine the properties of dark matter, dark energy, black holes, and other celestial bodies."
"Properties examined include luminosity, density, temperature, and chemical composition."
"Astrophysicists apply concepts and methods from many disciplines of physics, including classical mechanics, electromagnetism, statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, relativity, nuclear and particle physics, and atomic and molecular physics."
"Topics also studied by theoretical astrophysicists include Solar System formation and evolution; stellar dynamics and evolution; galaxy formation and evolution; magnetohydrodynamics; large-scale structure of matter in the universe; origin of cosmic rays; general relativity, special relativity, quantum and physical cosmology, including string cosmology and astroparticle physics."
"Emissions from these objects are examined across all parts of the electromagnetic spectrum."
"Because astrophysics is a very broad subject, astrophysicists apply concepts and methods from many disciplines of physics."
"Some areas of study for astrophysicists include their attempts to determine the properties of dark matter, dark energy, black holes, and other celestial bodies; and the origin and ultimate fate of the universe."
"In practice, modern astronomical research often involves a substantial amount of work in the realms of theoretical and observational physics."
"Astrophysics 'seeks to ascertain the nature of the heavenly bodies, rather than their positions or motions in space–what they are, rather than where they are.'"
"Topics also studied by theoretical astrophysicists include Solar System formation and evolution; stellar dynamics and evolution; galaxy formation and evolution; magnetohydrodynamics; large-scale structure of matter in the universe; origin of cosmic rays; general relativity, special relativity, quantum and physical cosmology, including string cosmology and astroparticle physics."