Astrophysics Definition and 875 Threads

hi, please explain me how to define a luminosity function? what is meant by luminosity interval? and the last one , what is meant by Present Day Mass Function (PDMF)? reagrds

Hey my names William in a junior in high school. I really wana go into astrophysics what are good classes to take and classes for college.

Hello all, This fall, I will be entering my freshman year at the University of Michigan, where I intend to study aerospace engineering. It has always been my dream to work in the space industry, and as such I've been considering the possibility of expanding into astrophysics to satisfy my...

Hi there, I need to choose my major in a week and it's between physics or astrophysics. Most of the courses are the same except a few: The different courses: Physics: statistical mechanics, solid state physics, and nuclear and particle physics Astrophysics: Intro to astro...

I will be a Junior this Fall at a large and well-known public university. I am working towards a double major of physics and astronomy. I was told by a professor (at a different university) whom I had befriended that due to my interests in astronomy I should expect a certain attitude from other...

Astrophysics has always been my passion. I remember reading many books on it when I was a child, and my fascination grew even more when I took my first intro astrophysics class this year in college. The more I read up on job prospects on astrophysics, the more depressed I get. I have always...

Homework Statement Sgr A* is the radio source at the centre of the galaxy. When it flares at X-ray wavelengths the flux increases by x 40 in 40 minutes. Estimate the size of the emitting region. The Attempt at a Solution The solution is to consider the distance traveled by the light in 40...

I am going to be a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and I (for-sure) plan on majoring in astrophysics as it is my foremost passion. I also happen to have a liking for the computer related fields and having those skills makes myself more marketable for jobs. I plan on adding...

I am not taking any courses this summer and was wondering what computer programming would be ideal to learn for someone focusing on a particle astrophysics major?

Homework Statement Estimate the lifetime of a proton against fusion to 4He in the center of a Zero-Age-Main-Sequence solar mass star. First calculate the energy generation, εpp in the center of the star from the p-p chain. Then convert this to the number of fusions (conversion of 4 protons...

Hello! I have an assignment question that is a proving a real stone in my shoe, mostly because it is reminding how little I can recall about electromagnetism. It is part of a series of questions leading to the calculation the Alfven radius, where the solar wind decouples from the Sun's magnetic...

Well, I'm 23 years old and just finishing up my B.S. in Physics (w/ a concentration in Astrophysics), and I need some help evaluating my options. I delayed applying to graduate school last semester, electing for more 'finding stuff out' time. I have a lot to say, but I'd rather be brief than...

Homework Statement Hey everyone. Just as a preface so you all know, I'm in England studying AQA Physics A. I'm currently studying the optional astrophysics module. I have a problem - in all the textbooks and revision guides I have, there is a topic on diffraction of light through a grating...

Hello I've got my bachelor's degree in physics, Astrophysics from a university in Iran and I came here about 2 months ago. My plan was to study MSc of medical physics in Canada. I like this field so much because it's more practical and specially because I can help people who have cancer, since...

Homework Statement I have to do a final project for my Astrophysics class. We're supposed to gather data on the XZ Tauri stars and compare that data to our sun's. I'm having trouble finding data on the XZ Tauri system. Any suggestions? Thank you!

Homework Statement Consider a hypothetical star of radius R, with density ρ that is constant, i.e. independent of radius. The star is composed of a classical, non relativistic, ideal gas of fully ionized hydrogen, Find the the temperature profile (T(r))Homework Equations dT(r)/dr = (...

Astrophysics...or Planetary Science Hi Guys, I need some advice about Astrophysics and Planetary Science. I'm in Columbia U right now, freshman year intending to major in Astrophysics BA. Recently, I found myself getting more and more interested in Solar Physics. I looked around grad...

Hi everybody! I have been asked by the astronomy group at my campus to do one of a series of talks on basic astrophysics, on the quantum perspective in astrophysics. Basically I am to fill in gaps, cover the pre-requisites for others. We plan to have one session each on basic observational...

1. A star in the main series. Explain how the radiated power, surface temperature, lifetime and location in the HR diagram depends on the star's mass. 2.E = 1/4Pi*r^2 (I think, need help with this) 3.I know that the lifetime of the star depends on its mass because of the fusion process, or how...

Hello all, I was hoping to get some advice from people who have already completed their phd and have faced the real world situation of the post-doc pressures and job market. I am at a cross-roads now that I have been admitted to some graduate programs, and I am really struggling to decide...

What do I lose from an astronomy/astrophysics candidates course, contrasted with a theoretical physics degree? Astrophysics is broader, and in that sense more appealing. However, I wonder if I am allowed to write about quantum mechanics as an undergraduate, in a theoretical astrophysics...

I'm looking for an honest assessment of whether someone with a huge interest in Astronomy can make up for poor math skills. While Math was my highest grade in high-school I also took Consumer Math, as a result I find my self fumbling through Coursea's Astronomy class and taking ages to solve the...

Hello fellow members of this forum, I am highly interested in Astronomy and Physics, and I plan to pursue a career in these fields. I am debating on whether I should try to study towards earning a B.Sc in Astrophysics or Physics when I graduate from high school in 2016 (then continue it...

Hi Guys, I'm an international student at Columbia University getting my undergraduate degree in Astrophysics. I'm planning to do summer research, and I'm thinking of schools outside of Columbia University. This has been difficult as most REUs stipulate US citizenship or Permanent Residence...

I have a love and passion for astrophysics, most specifically exoplanets. I do wish to be in the profession. I am 2.5 years away from college, so I have ample time to think about my future. From what I gather from some sources is that the best progression to become one is : BS Physics, MS...

Hello all! I'm thinking of getting a B.S. In Astrophysics or Physics and I was wondering what kind of jobs they're applicable to. Are Masters or PhD programs a must? Thanks in advance for any responses, Nassa

Good morning, I have been researching into a possible astronomy or astrophysics educational plan but my research is not looking too promising. I am enlisted the in the military currently so due to the premise of moving anywhere in the world at any time plus deployments online courses are...

After harboring the aspiration to read Astrophysics and Mathematics (I love all things adhering to abstract and logical reasoning; as such game theory, logic, military strategics, mathematical proofs ), I'm now in a 4 years double major undergraduate program in one of the well-know prestigious...

Homework Statement Calculate the kinetic energy generated when a white dwarf in a binary system accretes enough material to increase its mass beyond the Chandrasekhar limit (1.4 solar masses) and collapse to the radius of a neutron star. radius of white dwarf- 5520 km radius of neutron...

Hey, I guess recently I've been trying to think (read: stressing over) about what in the world I could do with the rest of my life once I finish this M.Sc in computational Astrophysics. I need something that won't keep me bogged down in a cubicle running a 9 to 5, I'll hate my life (having...

Homework Statement The problem reads: In the core a low mass red giant the free electrons are completely degenerate. Suppose that the mass of the core is 0.5 * M_sun (Mass of the sun). Assume that the core can be described by a polytrope and calculate its radius using the mass-radius...

Homework Statement Calculate the number of proton-proton reactions that occur in the Sun each second. For simplicity consider only the energy generation produced by the PPI chain. Consider that the Sun produces its energy in a steady state from the pp chain. Homework Equations...

What are the main differences between Astrophysics* and Planetary Science? What are their roles? And, which of the two is responsible for the first cloud map of a planet outside of our solar system? http://www.space.com/23043-alien-planet-cloud-map-image-kepler-7b.html *I mean just the...

Simulated "astrophysics" equations Hi all, TL;DR - Please tell me what level of mathematics I require for the equations posted at the end I am a software developer that is eager to improve my knowledge of maths and physics, however the mathematics required for my BSc only went through algebra...

I know it sounds like a big decision (which it is) but I've been considering it for a few weeks now and found that I'm really interested in astronomy and the physics that it is based on (I also really like theories, so maybe a theoretical physicist position too). I'd spend 3+ hours a day just...

Homework Statement You are lost in a forest. You have become separated from your friend. At your eye level, only tree trunks block your view of distant parts of the forest (there are no leaves and branches at eye level to block your view, only tree trunks). The trees are spread randomly...

Hi guys, I'm from Singapore and am starting my studies in Astrophysics in Columbia in like 2 weeks! I am so excited! I am planning a bit ahead and looking at REU website for next summer's internships, and I really want an internship in my field of astrophysics. Looking through that website...

PHD Astrophysics... and the alternative Hi guys, I'm starting school in Columbia in like 3 weeks (! ), and am very excited to be finally be able to buckle down and study Astrophysics, which is my passion. My plan is to go all the way to a PhD, because I have so many unanswered questions...

I am looking for an intermediate level textbook on general astronomy/astrophysics. Something that assumes of knowledge of introductory calculus- based physics but not much more, and covers a variety of topics at some depth. It seems that many of the astrophysics books are either graduate...

Hi people! My long-time goal is to pursue a PhD in astrophysics. Since an undergraduate in astrophysics is not available to me, I'm looking for alternatives. There are two cool engineering programs at hand: one in civil engineering, the other one in informatics engineering. Both are...

I'm currently a second year undergrad student, in a three year Bachelors program of Physics. I've been trying to read up a little on Astrophysics(to pursue it in grad school), and have a few questions regarding the field : 1. What are the subjects(at an undergrad level) one must be an expert of...

Hi! Homework Statement The light variation of a Cepheid is 2 mag,if its effective temperature at maximum luminosity is 6000K, while at minimum is 5000K, please estimate the ratio of its maximum and minimum radius. Homework Equations $$\Delta m=-2,5lg\frac{L_{min}}{L_{max}}$$...

Hello everyone, This is my first post! :) I want to ask you about the pros and cons of doing a PhD in Astrophysics in Europe or USA. First, I'm going to talk about my current situation. I got my bachelor's degree in physics two months ago, at University of Antioquia, Colombia. I have some...

I have read a number of the popular books on astrophysics/cosmology and a number on quantum physics. oddly astrophysics does not seem to be a continuation of quantum physics. Quantum physics seem to be much more theoretical than astrophysics. Empirical astrophysics leads to unknowns such as...

I've been looking into Wayne State University for a Masters in physics. I'm particularly interested in their astrophysics program but I don't know much about their program to really get an idea of how good it is. I know on U.S. News ranks them #113 in physics but does anyone know more about...

Hello My association with a University is coming to an end and with it ends my free access to a panoply of research journals. Can anyone suggest how someone without University affiliations (and who is unable to pay the fee for private use!) could go about accessing at least some journals/...

I dropped out of UCLA about 10 years ago. Have done some real estate since but nothing much with my life. I'm planning on going back this year and getting my bachelor's degree. I'm now 33. Yea I know. I screwed up by dropping out and not finishing what I started. But I guess now is better than...

I discovered that I have a very strong interest in cosmology and astrophysics but the field seems to be extremely competitive and jobs are very limited. I am thinking of doing aerospace engineering + science combined degree just because doing science alone seems like a gamble as I might end up...

Is there a field of "Mathematical Astrophysics"? Just was wondering (for graduate school purposes), is there a field that does what mathematical physics does but for astrophysics? (e.g., perhaps simplifying or re-expressing the mathematics used in some subdiscipline of astrophysics?) Or perhaps...

What is the best, if not great, scholarship for a master (graduate) in Astrophysics or Astronomy? I have been looking around the internet, but I am not sure if the scholarships I have seen will allow me to study Astrophysics, and most of them have their deadlines passed. I'm also planning to...