astrophysics

astrophysics
—astrophysical, adj. —astrophysicist /as'troh fiz"euh sist/, n.
/as'troh fiz"iks/, n. (used with a sing. v.)
the branch of astronomy that deals with the physical properties of celestial bodies and with the interaction between matter and radiation in the interior of celestial bodies and in interstellar space.
[1885-90; ASTRO- + PHYSICS]

* * *

Branch of astronomy concerned mainly with the properties and structures of cosmic objects, including the universe as a whole.

Starting in the 19th century, spectroscopy and photography were applied to astronomical research, making it possible to study the brightness, temperature, and chemical composition of cosmic objects. It was soon realized that the properties of these bodies could be fully understood only in terms of the physics of their atmospheres and interiors. X-ray astronomy, gamma-ray astronomy, infrared astronomy, ultraviolet astronomy, and radio and radar astronomy are all basically concerned with extending electromagnetic coverage beyond the visible spectrum to constrain the physical characteristics of astronomical objects.

* * *

      branch of astronomy concerned primarily with the properties and structure of cosmic objects, including the universe as a whole. See astronomy.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Astrophysics — is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties (luminosity, density, temperature, and chemical composition) of celestial objects such as stars, galaxies, and the interstellar medium, as… …   Wikipedia

  • astrophysics — n. 1. the concerned with the physical and chemical properties of celestial bodies. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Astrophysics — As tro*phys ics, n. [Astro + physics.] (Astron.) The science treating of the physical characteristics of the stars and other heavenly bodies, their chemical constitution, light, heat, atmospheres, etc. It is a branch of astronomy. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • astrophysics — ► PLURAL NOUN (treated as sing. ) ▪ the branch of astronomy concerned with the physical nature of celestial bodies. DERIVATIVES astrophysical adjective astrophysicist noun …   English terms dictionary

  • astrophysics — [as΄trōfiz′iks] n. the main branch of astronomy which deals primarily with the physical properties of the universe, including luminosity, density, temperature, and chemical composition astrophysical adj. astrophysicist [as΄trō fiz′ə sist] n …   English World dictionary

  • astrophysics — [[t]æ̱stroʊfɪ̱zɪks[/t]] N UNCOUNT Astrophysics is the study of the physical and chemical structure of the stars, planets, and other natural objects in space …   English dictionary

  • astrophysics — astrofizika statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. astrophysics vok. Astrophysik, f rus. астрофизика, f pranc. astrophysique, f; physique astronomique, f …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • Astrophysics Data System — Logo of the ADS The Astrophysics Data System (usually referred to as ADS), developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), is an online database of over eight million astronomy and physics papers from both peer reviewed and …   Wikipedia

  • Astrophysics and Space Science — Infobox Journal discipline = Astrophysics website = http://www.springer.com/astronomy/journal/10509 publisher = Springer Science+Business Media country = Germany abbreviation = AP SS. ISSN = 0004 640X history …   Wikipedia

  • Astrophysics Data System — Das Astrophysics Data System (ADS) ist eine von der NASA finanzierte Datenbank für Fachliteratur auf dem Gebiet der Astronomie und Astrophysik. Ebenfalls erfasst sind Veröffentlichungen aus der Physik und Geophysik sowie elektronische Vorabdrucke …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Astrophysics Data System — Pour les articles homonymes, voir ADS. L’Astrophysics Data System (ADS) est un portail Internet qui permet de chercher dans la littérature des articles scientifiques concernant l astronomie. Les articles n y sont pas stockés, comme pour ArXiv,… …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”