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 |
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| Non-Thermal Radiation |
In astronomy, the electromagnetic radiation produced by an electron travelling at a speed close to that of light when it is forced to change its velocity. The commonest form is synchrotron radiation, caused when electrons spiral round a magnetic field. The detection of non-thermal radiation from an object is a clear indication that high-energy processes are at work. More generally, the term is used for any electromagnetic radiation not produced by thermal processes.
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