What is Astrophysics: Definition and 858 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. A

    Courses Want to do spacecraft propulsion R&D but love astrophysics

    I've always been fascinated with space and space travel and want to see humanity advance in that area. I've always thought the best way for me to contribute is to work in research and development for propulsion systems (which I'm interested in), however, my main passion in physics is...
  2. M

    Programs Should I do a double degree in Aerospace engineering and Astrophysics?

    Hi, I've applied to study the Bachelor of Science Advanced–Research(Honours) course at Monash University and I intended on majoring in Astrophysics, but after doing some research I'm feeling really uneasy about it since it doesn't seem like there are a lot of jobs available for people doing...
  3. S

    Programs Any other military here pursuing a physics degree?

    Online classes... changing duty stations, maybe even deployments. Trying to pursue any degree is difficult while active duty military, but especially when you're pursuing a degree that requires many labs that are difficult or even impossible to complete fully online or with a lab kit. I'm a...
  4. Harshna

    Engineering Start Studying Astrophysics or Uptake a PhD Offer

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  5. Krishant

    Other Merging Astrophysics and Computer Science

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  6. JMatt7

    I Virial Theorem and the Ergodic hypothesis

    Hi! I'm currently reading "The Virial Theorem in Astrophysics" by G.W. Collins (the book is available as a free web edition at http://ads.harvard.edu/books/1978vtsa.book/) in which the author claims the importance of the ergodic hypothesis when applying the virial theorem to astrophysical...
  7. S

    Exploring the Universe: A Newcomer's Journey in Astronomy

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  8. H

    Ideas for astrophysics investigation/experiment?

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  9. J

    I How to model Solar System formation accurately and realistically

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  10. P

    I IOAA 2nd problems: universe expansion

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  11. Erenjaeger

    B What is the Unit for Gas Giant Planets in Astrophysics?

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  12. G

    Unlock Your Dream Career at NASA: Tips and Steps to Land a Job in Astrophysics

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  13. B

    Other Help designing self-taught astrophysics curriculum

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  14. Riotto

    I Why do galaxy and galaxy clusters look so colorful?

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  15. majormuss

    Programs What features/facilities do good astrophysics programs have?

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  16. E

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  17. N

    Other Going to Uni for astrophysics but I'm kind of scared

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  18. F

    Programs Is a Computer Science Background Enough for an MS in Astrophysics?

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  19. Angela Ituriaga

    Other BA in Astrophysics -> MS in Applied Physics -> PhD in Applied Physics

    Hello, I am about to attend the University of Hawaii at Hilo as an Astrophysics major. I intend to complete my education through getting my PhD in Applied Physics, but I wanted to know if it was necessary to get a Master's? I would think so because of getting a BA in Astrophysics instead of AP...
  20. F

    Job Skills Become an Astrophysics Researcher/Teacher: Questions Answered

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  21. Gjmdp

    I Why bother with Astrophysics if we have String Theory?

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  22. Gjmdp

    Studying What is better, Astrophysics or Cosmology?

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  23. E

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  24. Unteroffizier

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  25. P

    Programs Can anyone tell me how to make a career doing astrophysics courses?

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  26. Ryaners

    Mass-radius relation of a white dwarf - calculating radius

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  27. A

    B Just how Powerful is Computer Science + Astrophysics?

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  28. SpaceIsCool

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  29. logan merriman

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  30. T

    I Effect of planetary layer densities on trajectories of a satellite

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  31. S

    A What is stochastic heating of very small grains?

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  32. L

    Programs Summer camps in physics/astronomy for 9-12 graders

    As the title says...I am hoping for recommendations for the 2017 summer. Specifically, Southeast US, one week residential, hopefully under or around 500 dollar physics or astronomy camp for rising 9-12 graders. Thank you very much.
  33. G

    Particle Motion (Astrophysics)

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  34. Will K

    Physics Pursuing a PhD in Astrophysics - Is it Worth It?

    I am a sophomore in High School, and I am considering getting a PhD in astrophysics. Is a PhD worth it? Also, what job opportunities will be available to me? Thanks for any feedback : )
  35. M

    I Particle distribution as a function of radius in astrophysics

    Hello everyone, I am working on a project in astrophysics in which I need to include now some type of particle distribution (as a function of the radius). I was wondering if there is some accepted function that would describe the number of particles per radius in astrophysics. Saturn's rings...
  36. L

    Poynting-Robertson effect on an object orbiting the sun

    I'm in the 11th hour of studying, and have run into a problem I can't seem to tackle from an old exam. I may be making some foolish mistakes, as I've now been staring at this thing for entirely too long. 1. Homework Statement (a) Calculate the force due to radiation pressure experienced by an...
  37. Mikey16

    Self-study Astrophysics by Reading Books

    I am a mechanical engineering student who got a master offer in space science recently. This master course is more like astrophysics. So if I want to systematically study astrophysics, where should I start and which books should I start reading first of all? Thanks!
  38. S

    Missing 24 Micron Counterparts for Methanol Multibeam Sources

    I was searching for 24 micron counterparts(in the MIPSGAL catalogue) for Methanol Multibeam sources but found them missing for most of the cases. What could be the posssible reason?
  39. N

    B Speed of light within a black hole

    I assume that, via scattering processes, the speed of light slows from that in a vacuum close to the centre of a black hole to zero at the event horizon. How is the gradient in its speed defined throughout this volume? Is an analogy with a sound wave reaching an interface appropriate?
  40. S

    Is a Career in Astrophysics Worth Pursuing?

    Hey guys, new user here. My "big" question, the thing that fascinates me most, is the universe. Since I was a kid I have loved learning about it. I went through college pursuing medicine and realized that I want to do research. I love biological research, but I simply love the study of the...
  41. Will K

    B Unitarity and Entanglement: Examining the Fate of Information in Black Holes

    What happens to the information about the objects falling into the black hole? Are their states somehow contained in the Hawking Radiation, and if so, how? Or is the information scrambled as it passes the EH?
  42. Will K

    I Black Holes: What They Are & What They're Made Of

    What are black holes made of?
  43. Will K

    I Black Hole Time Dilation: What Would an Astronaut See?

    So let's say an astronaut was being sucked into a black hole and was able to escape spaghettification and all the death a black hole brings. Since black holes bend space-time itself, the astronaut would experience a differen't time zone than an outside observer (time is relative). The astronaut...
  44. V

    Seeking book recommendations for studying astrophysics

    Hi! I'm interested in studying astrophysics. I've previously studied the basic concepts about stars, galaxie and black holes. Can anyone recommend some books that would help me learn more about astrophysics?
  45. dykuma

    Why Are Stars Hot? Exploring the Heating Process of Stars

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  46. TheSodesa

    Magnitude of a component of a triple star

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  47. Leonardo Machado

    Physics Nuclear or Astrophysics master's degree?

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  48. B

    Recombination Lines - Astrophysics

    Homework Statement For an atom X, the high-n levels have energies ##E_n = -\mu \frac{(\alpha c)^2}{n^2}## with ##\alpha = \frac{e^2}{\hbar c}## Find the frequency shift ##\nu_{Hen\alpha} - \nu_{Hn\alpha}## for ##n\alpha## giving a transition frequency near 142MHz (The notation here means...
  49. G

    Analog Electrical Engineer Explores Physics & Astrophysics

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  50. starstruck_

    Is this a good plan to pursue astrophysics?

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