Best Place To Start Learning About in Astrophysics

[TaurusSteve]

Summary:: Which area to best start learning about in Astrophysics.

I'm 44 years old and when I was at school we only learned basic things in Maths. Now I'm older, I'm fascinated by the Universe and Astrophysics etc. What would be the best things/areas, maths wise, to learn about first?

 

[PeroK]

In terms of serious study, then Special Relativity (SR) is a good starting point, as the prerequisites in mathematics and physics are minimal.

In terms of Cosmology & Astrophysics, you could start with my favourite Insight:

https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/inflationary-misconceptions-basics-cosmological-horizons/

What level of study are you aiming for?

 

[TaurusSteve]

In terms of serious study, then Special Relativity (SR) is a good starting point, as the prerequisites in mathematics and physics are minimal.

In terms of Cosmology & Astrophysics, you could start with my favourite Insight:

https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/inflationary-misconceptions-basics-cosmological-horizons/

What level of study are you aiming for?

Just so I can understand equations etc.

 

[PeroK]

Just so I can understand equations etc.

The GCSE and A-Level mathematics syllabus is covered here:

https://www.examsolutions.net/

That's the basic mathematical starting point. After that you are looking at university undergraduate level texts and courses.

More generally, there is the Khan Academy:

https://www.khanacademy.org/

 

[lomidrevo]

I'm 44 years old and when I was at school we only learned basic things in Maths. Now I'm older, I'm fascinated by the Universe and Astrophysics etc. What would be the best things/areas, maths wise, to learn about first?

"Universe and Astrophysics" are very broad topics, covering almost all the physics and math domains/areas you can imagine. In my opinion, you cannot be wrong to begin with calculus and Newtonian mechanics.

 

[anorlunda]

You can understand very much about cosmology without fancy math.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedmann_equations

Try out that article. The equations are simple, and the article explains the terms and the assumptions.