What is Astrophysics: Definition and 861 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. N

    What career options are available with a degree in Astrophysics?

    Hello all. I am a high school student, and I plan on going to University (not sure which yet) to study Astrophysics, and I hope to eventually land a research job at a prestigious University. Of course, this is a very ambitious goal, and that's where my question comes in: Will I be able to do...
  2. LachyP

    Who wants a chat? Preferably about Physics

    Hello, I'm Lachlan Pearce and love physics (mostly special relativity, astrophysics, and a little of quantum physics). If anyone wants to discuss any of this I'd be happy to.. :)
  3. C

    Medical Physics, Theoretical Physics or Astrophysics?

    Hello there. I am a student doing a MSci at one of the top British universities and top 5 world universities according to QS. I am doing a Natural Sciences Degree and must choose a specialisation in Physics starting next term. Ever since I was a child, my dream has been to study Astrophysics...
  4. D

    Creation of spinning neutron stars and pulsars

    I've gotten a bit confused about the creation of the neutron star/pulsar, so I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction :) As fusion stops, when reaching the iron phase, the outer layers (hydrogen, helium, carbon... etc.) gets pulled in-wards do to gravity. This creates a bounce...
  5. A

    Programs Can You Major in Astrophysics as an Undergraduate?

    Hello, I want to become an Astrophysicist, but I do not know the "structure" of events that it takes to become one. Is Astrophysics a Bachelor's program, or is it a Graduate program? For example, can you major in Astrophysics, or do you need to major in a smaller element like physics or...
  6. J

    What are the best modern physics books for a young astrophysics enthusiast?

    Hello guys. I am fortunate that I have found this website and I have created an account just to ask one question. I asked this on yahoo answers as well but no luck. So here goes. I'm 14 years old and I love astrophysics. I have learn most of the basic stuff and I've also read A brief history...
  7. evictor480

    I want to pour a Sol sized bucked of water on the sun

    So I don't feel as freaked out as I did before reading the Tips sticky about making sure every bit of science is plausible. I would like to try and keep it believable for the immersion though. http://gizmodo.com/could-the-sun-be-extinguished-by-a-bucket-of-water-just-1669914928 It all started...
  8. evictor480

    Attempting writing. Looking for brains to pick for accuracy.

    Hi I am a want to be writer that has high hopes publishing before I am 70, maybe. lol I have a short story idea that is slowly turning into a small novel and even if it never publishes I would like to keep junk science out of it. I am not sure where to post the thread for it or if this is the...
  9. EpicAll Rounder

    What is Stellar Flux and How Does it Affect Solar Wind?

    I have a little problem about Stellar Flux. I've searched google and bing for info but to no avail. Please help me understand Stellar Flux. Thanks, Epicall Rounder
  10. L

    How do I get a career in Space Technology?

    I am an undergraduate Physics major, and I cannot decide if I want to go to grad school fro Astrophysics or Electrical Engineering; I love them both. I want to combine the two, and so my ideal job would be working on the electronics and technology used in space. I would love to work on projects...
  11. P

    Astrophysics: A Student's Questions & Monetary Concerns

    Hi, I am a high school senior planning on attending somewhere similar to UCLA. I have always had a passion for astronomy but never considered it as an actual career option, as I was dead set on becoming a medical doctor. I recently thought of dropping that idea, however, because even though I...
  12. L

    Switching to astrophysics after photonics PhD (complications)

    Hi everyone, I'm looking for a little advice. I'm coming to the end of a PhD in photonics in about 6 months, specifically I have been looking at plasmonic nanostructures. It's gone ok, I'm at a great university and have two 1st author papers in ok journals with hopefully a third before I...
  13. Sakurasus

    Engineering Electrical engineer & physicist, advice on PhD astronomy

    Hello everyone, I have read a lot of the post here about being engineers and going on into astronomy or astrophysics. Thus, decided to join and ask for advice. I have a similar experience but I have a unique problem. I have an BSc in electrical engineering from a US university with focus on...
  14. T

    Mathematics needed to be an astrophysics

    Hi. I completed my undergrad major in physics and want to go to grad school for astrophysics. I want to have a year revision of the mathematics needed for astrophysics. What type of math is needed to excel to be a successful astrophysicist. I have some lacking in integration . What others are...
  15. S

    Astrophysics - triple alpha core Temp

    Homework Statement Explain why stage 1 and 2 of the triple alpha process will not being until the core Temp of the star is around 10^8K. Homework Equations 4He+4He = 8Be (step 1) 8Be+4He = 12C (Step 2) The Attempt at a Solution I "think" I need to work out the nuclear energies... However I...
  16. WineRedPsy

    Cosmology or Theoretical Physics?

    I don't really have to look into this just yet but it bothers me. I quite like cosmology and stuff like such. Universal topology and relativity and sum of histories and stuff. Fun! I really would like to study any theoretical physics though, it just strikes my fancy particularly. I figure I'd...
  17. Dennis Roscoe

    Is the Neutron Intermediary Decay W- Boson Related to Gravitational Effects?

    Hi All, If you are in the Milwaukee area, here is a great way to spend a few hours on a Saturday afternoon. COFFEESHOP ASTROPHYSICS Sat Dec 6 2014 2pm @ 224 W. Bruce St, Milwaukee WI 53204 Welcome to CoffeeShop Astrophysics! These are a series of free informal public lectures aimed at anyone...
  18. majormuss

    Schools Useful Computer Programming for Astrophysics concentration in Grad School

    My objective is to learn programs and techniques that will prove beneficial to my physics degree. I am going on to grad school to get a physics PhD but I will be staying 1 more year as an undergrad. A CS minor is probably too broad for me because I only want to learn specific programs that will...
  19. N

    Got a job as a quant, want to get back to physics

    Hi all, I was doing HEP-EXP in a US institution, got MSc and started Phd. However in the middle of it I decided that job prospects weren't good as far as tenure track positions are concerned and I found a job as a quantitative analyst in a hedge fund. I work there for the past 18 months. But...
  20. T

    Proton-electron mass ratio; changed? how much?

    On the subject of our 'finely turned universe', I have read that the proton-electron mass ratio can not deviate more than 1:1037. In other readings, the allowable deviation was stated as 1% ("If the neutron were very slightly less massive, then it could not decay without energy input. If its...
  21. R

    Description of the Electron Degeneracy Principle

    I understand that the electron degeneracy principle states that no two electrons can occupy the same space at once. However, I do not think I clearly understand the physics behind that. I talked to my physics teacher about this and he said it had to do with the electron spin; I thought it was...
  22. evelyn

    Demand of astrophysics nowadays

    i'm very much interested in astrophysics. but I'm really concerned about the career options that a astrophysicist may choose. is it a very tough subject? I'm really confused what i should do. is this a really good decision to pursue my career in astrophysics? what are the job fecilities for an...
  23. juliact15

    Which courses should I take for a concentration in Astronomy?

    I am an undergraduate Physics major in my third year, and I'd like to concentrate in Astronomy or Astrophysics when I obtain my Masters and PhD. What kinds of physics classes should I take in preparation for this? I've already taken all explicitly-astronomy courses at my school. I was thinking...
  24. G

    Help Solving Astrophysics Textbook Question

    I have a question in my astrophysics textbook that I need some help with. Given \frac{dT}{dr}\propto\frac{\kappa\rho{L}}{r^2T^3} and \frac{dL}{dr}\propto{r^2}{\rho}\epsilon show that L\propto {M^{5.4}} and R\propto {M^{0.2}} if \kappa\propto\rho{T^{-3.5}} and \epsilon\propto\rho{T^{5}}. Using...
  25. P

    Ph.D in astrophysics having research experiences in nanoelectronics

    I am from India. I have done B.Sc in electronics, M.Sc in electronics, M.Tech in nanoelectronics and currently have four years of research experiences in nanoelectronics. But now I want to shift from this career and get a Ph.D in astrophysics from the universities in USA. Can anyone tell me is...
  26. E

    Where did all the physics ladies go?

    First of all, I'd like to clarify my title by pointing out it is NOT a dodgy pick-up line. I am a female myself and have noticed that pretty much every woman who enrolled at my university in physics is going on, or plans to go into the field of astrophysics, myself included. I am wondering if...
  27. N

    What are the research opportunities for a PhD in astrophysics in Qatar?

    I completed my Masters degree in physics from an Indian University. I would like to know more about research opportunities (PhD) in Qatar in the field of astrophysics. Please guide me
  28. A

    Astrophysics Education: High School Courses for Astrophysicists

    Hello! I just created an account and this is my first post for this site. I am interested in studying a field that deals with particles in space, and after I did some research I decided Astrophysics is a suitable field for this interest. After I did some research on Astrophysics, I noticed that...
  29. T

    University project for astrophysics

    Hello guys, I really hope I came to the right section, since technically my topic involves not only astronomy, but also engineering, maths and so on. But anyway, let's get to the point. So we have to come up with some kind of a research(I'm second year applied physics student) which will be...
  30. S

    Looking for a future in Astrophysics

    I am currently attending Community College, but in the future I would like to transfer to a University and get a degree in Astrophysics. The University of Alabama - Huntsville (UAH) is the closest University where I live, and I was wondering if the PhD Physics program good, and also UAH offers a...
  31. D

    Astrophysics vs Theoretical Physics vs Theoretical Astrophysics

    I'm currently looking into a career in either Astrophysics, Theoretical Physics, or Theoretical Astrophysics. What is the difference between the subject matter in each of these three fields and how would I go about attaining status of Theoretical Astrophysicist? I have found numerous majors...
  32. L

    Astrophysics Questions: Answers For Students Pursuing AP

    Hello, I'm currently in my senior year finishing a Finance degree but have come to the realization that I should follow the career path I would actually enjoy rather than simply getting a job and starting a 9-5 life. However I have a few questions on my mind and if anybody could help me it would...
  33. K

    PhD in Astrophysics: Wasting my time?

    Hello all, so I'm just finishing up my basics in undergrad school and am starting to take math and introductory physics classes, and just wanted to clear something up to make sure that I'm not wasting my time. My goal is a PhD in astrophysics. Now I know that in order to get into a good grad...
  34. A

    Master in Condensed Matter Physics or Astrophysics

    Hi guys, I have a bachelor's degree in IT (software development, BAC+3), I am 27 years old and I live in Europe. I've always love space and astrophysics but I am interested in physics in general. I decided to go back to school to get a degree in physics but I am not quite sure about which...
  35. S

    Astrophysics senior looking into Aerospace Master's

    Let me firstly and quickly apologize if this topic has been covered before. I know you all answer a lot of these questions, so please link me to some past discussions as you see fit. I am going into my last year as an astrophysics major, and I'm a bit dismayed at my job outlook with just a...
  36. P

    Jobs in astrophysics & aerospace engineering

    How difficult is it to get a job in after receiving the degrees, is it essential for me to get the highest educational degree in these specified degrees or is it pretty much all about luck later on? For example, what chances are there that I will work with astrophysics/aerospace engineering if I...
  37. C

    How do they define luminosity function in astrophysics?

    hi, please explain me how to define a luminosity function? what is meant by luminosity interval? and the last one , what is meant by Present Day Mass Function (PDMF)? reagrds
  38. gtoguy97

    Schools School [preparing for astrophysics in high school]

    Hey my names William in a junior in high school. I really wana go into astrophysics what are good classes to take and classes for college.
  39. S

    Aerospace engineering student who wants to get into astrophysics

    Hello all, This fall, I will be entering my freshman year at the University of Michigan, where I intend to study aerospace engineering. It has always been my dream to work in the space industry, and as such I've been considering the possibility of expanding into astrophysics to satisfy my...
  40. B

    Studying pure physics or astrophysics for cosmology graduate study

    Hi there, I need to choose my major in a week and it's between physics or astrophysics. Most of the courses are the same except a few: The different courses: Physics: statistical mechanics, solid state physics, and nuclear and particle physics Astrophysics: Intro to astro...
  41. K

    Programs Are astrophysics majors outcasts of the physics department?

    I will be a Junior this Fall at a large and well-known public university. I am working towards a double major of physics and astronomy. I was told by a professor (at a different university) whom I had befriended that due to my interests in astronomy I should expect a certain attitude from other...
  42. K

    Should I give up on astrophysics and study something else?

    Astrophysics has always been my passion. I remember reading many books on it when I was a child, and my fascination grew even more when I took my first intro astrophysics class this year in college. The more I read up on job prospects on astrophysics, the more depressed I get. I have always...
  43. A

    Estimating the Size of Sgr A*'s Emitting Region

    Homework Statement Sgr A* is the radio source at the centre of the galaxy. When it flares at X-ray wavelengths the flux increases by x 40 in 40 minutes. Estimate the size of the emitting region. The Attempt at a Solution The solution is to consider the distance traveled by the light in 40...
  44. J

    Astrophysics + (Computer Science or Computer Engineering)?

    I am going to be a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and I (for-sure) plan on majoring in astrophysics as it is my foremost passion. I also happen to have a liking for the computer related fields and having those skills makes myself more marketable for jobs. I plan on adding...
  45. Ascendant78

    Programs Best computer programming for particle astrophysics major?

    I am not taking any courses this summer and was wondering what computer programming would be ideal to learn for someone focusing on a particle astrophysics major?
  46. N

    Astrophysics (Stars - PP chain)

    Homework Statement Estimate the lifetime of a proton against fusion to 4He in the center of a Zero-Age-Main-Sequence solar mass star. First calculate the energy generation, εpp in the center of the star from the p-p chain. Then convert this to the number of fusions (conversion of 4 protons...
  47. Q

    Astrophysics: Simple magnetic field issues

    Hello! I have an assignment question that is a proving a real stone in my shoe, mostly because it is reminding how little I can recall about electromagnetism. It is part of a series of questions leading to the calculation the Alfven radius, where the solar wind decouples from the Sun's magnetic...
  48. D

    Please Advise: BS in Astrophysics, What Next?

    Well, I'm 23 years old and just finishing up my B.S. in Physics (w/ a concentration in Astrophysics), and I need some help evaluating my options. I delayed applying to graduate school last semester, electing for more 'finding stuff out' time. I have a lot to say, but I'd rather be brief than...
  49. I

    Problem with diffraction equations (diffraction and astrophysics)

    Homework Statement Hey everyone. Just as a preface so you all know, I'm in England studying AQA Physics A. I'm currently studying the optional astrophysics module. I have a problem - in all the textbooks and revision guides I have, there is a topic on diffraction of light through a grating...
  50. D

    Medical Physics, Astrophysics or something else?

    Hello I've got my bachelor's degree in physics, Astrophysics from a university in Iran and I came here about 2 months ago. My plan was to study MSc of medical physics in Canada. I like this field so much because it's more practical and specially because I can help people who have cancer, since...
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