astrophysika

Astrophysika is the scientific discipline that applies the laws of physics and chemistry to understand astronomical objects and phenomena. It seeks to explain how stars shine, how galaxies form and evolve, the behavior of compact objects such as black holes and neutron stars, and the origin and fate of the universe.

Historically, astrophysical insights grew from spectroscopy, thermodynamics, and quantum theory applied to celestial observations. The development of physical models and observational techniques, including telescopes and detectors across the electromagnetic spectrum, has enabled quantitative descriptions of celestial processes. The 20th century brought major breakthroughs such as stellar evolution theory, cosmic expansion, and the discovery of the cosmic background radiation.

Astrophysika encompasses observational astrophysics, focusing on data collection and interpretation; theoretical astrophysics, developing models and simulations; and experimental or astroparticle physics, studying cosmic rays, neutrinos, and gravitational waves. Core methods include spectroscopy, imaging, photometry, timing, and numerical simulations of fluid dynamics, gravity, and radiation transport.

The field studies a wide range of objects and phenomena, including stars and planetary systems, galaxies and their halos, supermassive black holes, neutron stars, supernovae, nebulae, and the interstellar and intergalactic medium. It also addresses larger questions about dark matter, dark energy, and the history of the universe through cosmology.

Astrophysika relies on a diverse set of instruments, from ground-based telescopes to space observatories such as the Hubble Space Telescope, Chandra, XMM-Newton, Spitzer, and the James Webb Space Telescope. Its findings inform fundamental physics, cosmology, and our understanding of the cosmos.