Introduction to Astrophysics
Instructor-
Golam Dastegir Al-Quaderi
Professor
Department of Physics, DU
1
, Introduction to Astrophysics
• What is Astrophysics?
• Astrophysics is the branch of physics
concerned with the physical nature of stars
and other celestial bodies, and the application
of the laws and theories of physics to the
interpretation of astronomical observations.1
• “Astrophysics is a branch of space science that
applies the laws of physics and chemistry to
seek to understand the universe and our place
in it.”2
1. Adapted from Oxford Languages
2. https://www.space.com/26218-astrophysics.html 2
, Introduction to Astrophysics
• Astrophysics is the branch of science that deals
with the physics of the universe.
• It involves studies of the physical properties
(luminosity, density, temperature) and chemical
composition of celestial objects as well as their
interactions3.
• Astrophysicists try to understand the universe
and its contents, including stars, planets, galaxies
and celestial objects, by applying the laws of
physics4.
3. Adapted from New World Encyclopedia, www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Astrophysics
4. https://www.swinburne.edu.au/news/2019/07/what-is-an-astrophysicist/ 3
, Introduction to Astrophysics
• What is Astronomy?
• “Astronomy is the science of measuring the
positions and characteristics of heavenly
bodies1.”
• “Astronomers are traditionally observers.
They look at the night sky and collect data
about objects in the universe2.”
• However this traditional definition of
astronomy has changed over the years.
1. http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/about-us/145-people-in-astronomy/
2. https://www.swinburne.edu.au/news/2019/07/what-is-an-astrophysicist/ 4
Instructor-
Golam Dastegir Al-Quaderi
Professor
Department of Physics, DU
1
, Introduction to Astrophysics
• What is Astrophysics?
• Astrophysics is the branch of physics
concerned with the physical nature of stars
and other celestial bodies, and the application
of the laws and theories of physics to the
interpretation of astronomical observations.1
• “Astrophysics is a branch of space science that
applies the laws of physics and chemistry to
seek to understand the universe and our place
in it.”2
1. Adapted from Oxford Languages
2. https://www.space.com/26218-astrophysics.html 2
, Introduction to Astrophysics
• Astrophysics is the branch of science that deals
with the physics of the universe.
• It involves studies of the physical properties
(luminosity, density, temperature) and chemical
composition of celestial objects as well as their
interactions3.
• Astrophysicists try to understand the universe
and its contents, including stars, planets, galaxies
and celestial objects, by applying the laws of
physics4.
3. Adapted from New World Encyclopedia, www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Astrophysics
4. https://www.swinburne.edu.au/news/2019/07/what-is-an-astrophysicist/ 3
, Introduction to Astrophysics
• What is Astronomy?
• “Astronomy is the science of measuring the
positions and characteristics of heavenly
bodies1.”
• “Astronomers are traditionally observers.
They look at the night sky and collect data
about objects in the universe2.”
• However this traditional definition of
astronomy has changed over the years.
1. http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/about-us/145-people-in-astronomy/
2. https://www.swinburne.edu.au/news/2019/07/what-is-an-astrophysicist/ 4
