What is Astrophysics?

Question

it is subjective

Answer 1

Here is a better source for Astrophysics.

From what I read it's their job to determine everything about everything astronomers find in space. What it's made of, amount of light it puts off......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrophysics

Answer 2

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 the largest scales.

Because it is a very broad subject, astrophysicists typically apply many disciplines of physics including, but not limited to, 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 or physics departments at many universities.

Answer 3

That is a good question.

When I was getting my Astronomy degree, the course titled Astrophysics I dealt primarily with stars. The course covered the formation of stars, internal structure, the forms of fusion, and the life cycle of stars (including giants, supergiants, dwarfs, white dwarfs, neutron stars/pulsars and black holes).
Astrophysics II dealt primarily with globular clusters, galaxies, galactic clusters and the universe in general.

The motion of planets and moons was covered in a subject titled Celestial Mechanics, and the physics of the planets was Planetary Physics. There was a course on planetary geology called Planetology and the course that went over the use of astronomical instruments, techniques, data gathering and reduction was called Astrometry.

So as you can see, in this case, Astrophysics was a term used to identify a very specific parts of Astronomy. I do not doubt, however, that there are other universities that label classes differently. So to a degree (pardon the pun) you are correct in that it is somewhat of a subjective term.

Answer 4

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 the largest scales.

Because it is a very broad subject, astrophysicists typically apply many disciplines of physics including, but not limited to, 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 or physics departments at many universities.

Answer 5

before going into space, you have to find the pattern of the planetary systems. It helps. at one point by astrophysics they could find why there is a winter on earth on the northern part mostly of earth. don't need to be bewitched to find that how this occured. or being banished and sent out of the eden and paradise. this after all was only proven in the 1980's when it was mathematically hysteria in the xiv century. the equation always finished but it is from God hands. Of course. The Great Creator.

Answer 6

Astrophysics is a branch of astronomy that analyzes the properties and interactions of cosmological objects based on known physical law

Answer 7

.Astrophysics is the teaching of the complicated physics of space. It is very tough to understand astrophysics because it takes a lot of understanding and researching.

Answer 8

Basically it is the physics of astronomy. It deals with stars, planets and anything else out there; dust, gas, comets, asteroids, planetary rings and moons, quasars, novas, black holes, etc. It investigates the motions of objects caused by gravity, stellar processes, and many other physical phenomena and tries to explain the origins of such objects.

Answer 9

I think it is the physics related to Astronomy such as light path,nuclear reactions of hydrogen in stars etc

Answer 10

astrophysics could be the physical study of universe / planets.
i think this answer will work.