What is Astrophysicist: Definition and 74 Discussions

Astrophysics is a science that employs the methods and principles of physics in the study of astronomical objects and phenomena. Among the subjects studied are the Sun, 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, and the properties examined include luminosity, density, temperature, and chemical composition. Because astrophysics is a very broad subject, 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.
In practice, modern astronomical research often involves a substantial amount of work in the realms of theoretical and observational 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. 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.

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  1. jack action

    News Death of astrophysicist Hubert Reeves at 91

    We lost a great man today - originally from my part of the World - with the death of astrophysicist Hubert Reeves at 91.
  2. gleem

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  3. sully21

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  4. angela6884

    Courses Can I go to grad school to be an astrophysicist with a minor in astronomy?

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  5. Luke Coughlin

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  6. riley4190

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  7. L

    Maple Computational Hohmann Transfer on MapleSoft

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  8. Greg Bernhardt

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  9. ScienceGuy42

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  10. Sullivan Stockwell

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  11. Mlesnita Daniel

    B What do I need to become an Astrophysicist?

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  12. henry wang

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  13. Erenjaeger

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  14. G

    B How is a Vaccum mathmatically described?

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  15. Kenneth DeMaio

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  16. SpaceIsCool

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  17. M

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  18. S

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  19. A

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  20. A

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  22. A

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  23. Mayank Kumar

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  24. S

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  25. U

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  26. L

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  27. O

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  29. brennabruce

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  30. Astronaut

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  31. A

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  32. P

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  33. K

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  34. Dei

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  35. O

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  36. C

    Schools Grad school and career questions from an aspring astrophysicist

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  37. K

    Physics Is a career as an astrophysicist both challenging and rewarding?

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  38. G

    Programs Pursuing a degree as an astrophysicist

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  39. A

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  40. S

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  41. G

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  42. T

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    Hello, I am in the 11th grade in my high school, which is in Lithuania. This year I had to choose specific levels for my subjects and I chose physics, mathematics, informatics and English as A level subjects (more lessons, more material, better teachers) and left lithuanian, economics, history...
  43. B

    Physics Salary of An Astrophysicist with a PhD?

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  44. E

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  45. C

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  46. B

    Physics What are some alternatives to being an Astrophysicist?

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  47. G

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  48. C

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  49. K

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  50. D

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