astrophysics

American  

[as-troh-fiz-iks] / ˌæs troʊˈfɪz ɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. 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.

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astrophysics British  

/ ˌæstrəʊˈfɪzɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the branch of physics concerned with the physical and chemical properties, origin, and evolution of the celestial bodies

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astrophysics Scientific  

/ ăs′trō-fĭz′ĭks /

1. The branch of astronomy that deals with the physical and chemical processes that occur in stars, galaxies, and interstellar space. Astrophysics deals with the structure and evolution of stars, the properties of interstellar space and its interactions with systems of stars, and with the structure and dynamics of clusters of stars such as galaxies.

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astrophysics Cultural  

1. The branch of astronomy devoted to the study of the physical characteristics and composition of objects in the sky. Typical concerns of astrophysics are how much light the stars give off and the size, mass, and temperature of planets and stars.

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Other Word Forms

• astrophysical adjective
• astrophysicist noun

Etymology

Origin of astrophysics

First recorded in 1885–90; astro- + physics

Example Sentences

The methods used in this study extend beyond astrophysics.

From Science Daily

Initially believed to be interference, the signals turned out to be the first evidence of pulsars, rapidly spinning neutron stars that opened a new field of astrophysics.

From Science Daily

Now, I think Joseph has found the smoking gun," Howell continued, "and he's tied the bumps into the magnetar model, and explained everything with the best-tested theory in astrophysics -- General Relativity.

From Science Daily

"But those are just simulations, not the real universe. Now we have a foundation which can let us know if some of the astrophysics underpinning those simulations is correct."

From Science Daily

The international research team was led by astrophysics Ph.D. student Alexander Venner of the University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia, who is now a postdoctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg, Germany.

From Science Daily