Space exploration began with the launch of Sputnik and Astrophysics was born as the application of physics to the phenomena observed by Astronomy, which etymologically means laws of the stars.
There are 2759 entries in this glossary.| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Astrophysics |
The science that deals with the physical conditions in the Universe beyond the Earth. Astrophysicists study such matters as how stars are born and die, how they generate energy, how they move, how radiation is produced and absorbed, and where cosmic rays come from.
When Newton discovered that the force of gravity that causes apples to fall from the trees is the same force that guides the planets around the Sun, he created the first successful astrophysical theory. He showed that the whole Universe could be understood in terms of the same physical laws. In the mid-nineteenth century, the rise of spectroscopy led to an increase in astrophysical knowledge. Forming spectrums of light received from the stars enabled astrophysicists to determine their motion, temperature, composition and other properties. |