Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties (luminosity, density, temperature, and chemical composition) of celestial objects such as stars, galaxies, and the interstellar medium, as well as their interactions. The study of cosmology is theoretical astrophysics at scales much larger than the size of particular gravitationally-bound objects in the universe.
Because astrophysics is a very broad subject, astrophysicists typically apply many disciplines of physics, including mechanics, electromagnetism, statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, relativity, nuclear and particle physics, and atomic and molecular physics. In practice, modern astronomical research involves a substantial amount of physics. The name of a university's department ("astrophysics" or "astronomy") often has to do more with the department's history than with the contents of the programs. Astrophysics can be studied at the bachelors, masters, and Ph.D. levels in aerospace engineering, physics, or astronomy departments at many universities.
External links
- Scientific Discussion: Astrophysics
- Cosmic Journey: A History of Scientific Cosmology from the American Institute of Physics
- Prof. Sir Harry Kroto, NL, Astrophysical Chemistry Lecture Series. 8 Freeview Lectures provided by the Vega Science Trust.
- Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, Stanford, California
- Institute for Space Astrophysics and Cosmic Physics
- Astrophysical Journal
- Astronomy and Astrophysics, a European Journal
- Master of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.
Video: Kavli Foundation: Introduction to Theoretical Astrophysics
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