Integrating Astronomy and Physics
"Contrary to the belief generally held by laboratory physicists, astronomy has contributed to the growth of our understanding of physics." Physics has helped in the elucidation of astronomical phenomena, and astronomy has helped in the elucidation of physical phenomena:
- discovery of the law of gravitation came from the information provided by the motion of the Moon and the planets,
- viability of nuclear fusion as demonstrated in the Sun and stars and yet to be reproduced on Earth in a controlled form.
Integrating astronomy with physics involves
| Physical interaction | Astronomical phenomena |
| Electromagnetism: | observation using the electromagnetic spectrum |
| black body radiation | stellar radiation |
| synchrotron radiation | radio and X-ray sources |
| inverse-Compton scattering | astronomical X-ray sources |
| acceleration of charged particles | pulsars and cosmic rays |
| absorption/scattering | interstellar dust |
| Strong and weak interaction: | nucleosynthesis in stars |
| cosmic rays | |
| supernovae | |
| primeval universe | |
| Gravity: | motion of planets, satellites and binary stars, stellar structure and evolution, N-body motions in clusters of stars and galaxies, black holes, and the expanding universe. |
The aim of astronomy is to understand the physics and chemistry from the laboratory that is behind cosmic events so as to enrich our understanding of the cosmos and of these sciences as well.
Read more about this topic: Theoretical Astronomy
Famous quotes containing the words astronomy and/or physics:
“It is noticed, that the consideration of the great periods and spaces of astronomy induces a dignity of mind, and an indifference to death.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“Although philosophers generally believe in laws and deny causes, explanatory practice in physics is just the reverse.”
—Nancy Cartwright (b. 1945)