Astrophysics: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
imported>Thomas Simmons |
imported>Thomas Simmons |
||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
==Research focus== | ==Research focus== | ||
Research in astrophysics addresses a great variety of topics, for example: | Research in astrophysics addresses a great variety of topics<ref>[http://www-thphys.physics.ox.ac.uk/users/Astrophysics/research/ Theoretical astrophysics] Oxford Physics, Oxford University</ref><ref>[http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/ CfA Research] Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics</ref>, for example: | ||
===Stars=== | ===Stars=== | ||
:- stellar evolution | :- stellar evolution | ||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
===Stellar atmospheres=== | ===Stellar atmospheres=== | ||
:- nature of spectral analysis | :- nature of spectral analysis | ||
:- electron density | :- electron density<ref>[http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/cms/astro/cosmos/D/Degenerate+Electron+Pressure Degenerate electron pressure] Swineburn University, Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing</ref> | ||
===The Galaxy (the Milky Way)=== | ===The Galaxy (the Milky Way)=== | ||
:- interstellar gas and dust | :- interstellar gas and dust | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
===Dark matter=== | ===Dark matter=== | ||
===Dark energy=== | ===Dark energy=== | ||
Dark energy is a theoretical energy which exerts a negative attraction or opposes the positive attraction of matter and causes the universe to expand.<ref>[http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/dark-energy.html Dark energy fills the cosmos] Preuss, Paul (1999). Science Beat. The Berkeley Lab, U.S. Department of Energy.</ref><ref>[http://au.arxiv.org/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/0801/0801.0025v1.pdf] ''Cosmology with dark energy decaying through its | Dark energy is a theoretical energy which exerts a negative attraction or opposes the positive attraction of matter and causes the universe to expand.<ref name=PreussBerkeleyLab>[http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/dark-energy.html Dark energy fills the cosmos] Preuss, Paul (1999). Science Beat. The Berkeley Lab, U.S. Department of Energy.</ref><ref>[http://au.arxiv.org/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/0801/0801.0025v1.pdf] ''Cosmology with dark energy decaying through its | ||
chemical-potential contribution.'' Besprovsvany, J., Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (2007). Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical, 40 7099-7104 </ref> | chemical-potential contribution.'' Besprovsvany, J., Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (2007). Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical, 40 7099-7104 </ref> | ||
===Astrochemistry=== | ===Astrochemistry=== | ||
Astrochemistry involves the study of the role of the chemical bond and organic chemistry in nature on a cosmic scale. | Astrochemistry involves the study of the role of the chemical bond and organic chemistry in nature on a cosmic scale. Over 140 molecules have been identified in the interstellar gas and circumstellar shells. To date the largest is a carbon chain with 13 atoms and a molecular weight of 147.<ref>[http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/rg/milkyway/astrochemistry.html Astrochemistry] Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics</ref> | ||
===Inflation=== | |||
Inflation refers to the expansion of the universe, its velocity and whether or not it is slowing or gaining in speed.<ref name=PreussBerkeleyLab/> | |||
===Curvature=== | |||
Curvature refers to the shape of the universe.<ref name=PreussBerkeleyLab/> | |||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
Revision as of 14:11, 3 January 2008
Astrophysics is a hybrid of Physics and Astronomy that attempts to explain the physical workings of the celestial objects or phenomenons. Astrophysics has two subdivisions: theoretical, and applied or experimental.
[]
Research focus
Research in astrophysics addresses a great variety of topics[1][2], for example:
Stars
- - stellar evolution
- - magnetic field properties
- - stellar convection
Stellar atmospheres
- - nature of spectral analysis
- - electron density[3]
The Galaxy (the Milky Way)
- - interstellar gas and dust
Galaxies
- - modeling the environs of galactic-centre massive black holes;
- - the structure and dynamics of galactic bars;
- - the flow of gas into and out of galaxies;
- - the role of active galactic nuclei in limiting the growth of galaxies.
CMB (cosmic microwave background radiation)
Astroparticles
Black holes
Dark matter
Dark energy
Dark energy is a theoretical energy which exerts a negative attraction or opposes the positive attraction of matter and causes the universe to expand.[4][5]
Astrochemistry
Astrochemistry involves the study of the role of the chemical bond and organic chemistry in nature on a cosmic scale. Over 140 molecules have been identified in the interstellar gas and circumstellar shells. To date the largest is a carbon chain with 13 atoms and a molecular weight of 147.[6]
Inflation
Inflation refers to the expansion of the universe, its velocity and whether or not it is slowing or gaining in speed.[4]
Curvature
Curvature refers to the shape of the universe.[4]
Notes
- ↑ Theoretical astrophysics Oxford Physics, Oxford University
- ↑ CfA Research Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
- ↑ Degenerate electron pressure Swineburn University, Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Dark energy fills the cosmos Preuss, Paul (1999). Science Beat. The Berkeley Lab, U.S. Department of Energy.
- ↑ [1] Cosmology with dark energy decaying through its chemical-potential contribution. Besprovsvany, J., Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (2007). Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical, 40 7099-7104
- ↑ Astrochemistry Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics