What Is Astrophysics? The Physics of the Universe

  1. Astrophysics blends astronomy and physics to explain how the universe works, from stars to galaxies.
  2. It seeks to answer big questions: how did the universe begin, and how will it end?
  3. Astrophysicists study light across the spectrum—radio waves to gamma rays—to unlock cosmic secrets.
  4. Gravity, relativity, and quantum mechanics are core tools in astrophysics research.
  5. Black holes, neutron stars, and supernovae are extreme laboratories of physics in space.
  6. Observatories like Hubble and the James Webb Space Telescope are astrophysics’ eyes on the cosmos.
  7. The field explores dark matter and dark energy, which make up 95% of the universe.
  8. Astrophysics isn’t just about space—it drives technology like GPS, imaging, and data analysis.
  9. By studying cosmic microwave background radiation, astrophysicists trace the universe’s earliest moments.
  10. At its heart, astrophysics turns the night sky into a grand physics experiment.