Some Weird Stuff

Just like in any other science, some pretty strange stuff goes on in Astrophysics. That's hardly suprising, since there is a lot we don't understand about the universe. Therefore, we've come up with some bizaare theories to explain the unexplainable. We have super massive black holes, dark energy, and even string theory.



A black hole emitting x-rays.

Modern Astrophysics

We obviously don't use the stars to figure out where we should place our skyscrapers today. We have engineers for that. Modern Astrophysics has an entirely different purpose: to explain the universe. Why does the world work as it does? It's a question we've been struggling with for millenia, and we're still trying to figure it out.


The Andromeda galaxy.

History

Astronomy, the basis for Astrophysics, is one of the oldest sciences. Ancient cultures formed their own ideas and beliefs from watching the stars. Their astronomers tracked the movements of celestial bodies and used them for anything from predicting the future to deciding when to plant crop. Egypt's pyramids were even built to align with the stars!

Why astrophysics?

So, why astrophysics? Sounds scary, I know. (It helps if you like math.) But, it's a pretty fascinating subject, once you get into it. Everyone wonders where the universe came from at one time or another, or why the stars shine, or whether or not E.T. is out there watching us. Those are just a few of the topics Astrophysics covers.

Astrophysics

I was asked to make a blog as part of a computer course I'm taking, so what better topic than my major? It makes sense to write about something I actually study. As such, I now have my very own Astrophysics blog.


If you want to know what astrophysics is, you can find some info here.


A lovely picture of the Orion nebula.