• Question: Hi! what is Stellar Astrophysics?

    Asked by elliemc2000 to Joseph on 15 Nov 2013.
    • Photo: Joseph Roche

      Joseph Roche answered on 15 Nov 2013:

      Hello! Stellar Astrophysics is the physics of the stars. We’re very interested in how the stars form, what happens them throughout their lives and how they affect nearby planets or other stars. In particular we like to study the physics of these interactions and processes. It’s a wonderfully interesting area!

Comments

  • Photo: Colm

    Colm commented on :

    Yes, its all about what’s going on in the stars. The main assumption that we make in order to simplify our maths a bit is something called hydrostatic equilibrium. This just means that all forces are kind of balanced. So the inward pull of gravity is balanced by the outward pressure of the heat and light.
    Using this as starting point we then work through the equations to try to figure out what else is going on inside the stars.