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Astrophysics
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Astrophysics applies the laws of physics and chemistry to celestial objects, explaining what stars, planets, and galaxies are made of and how they form, evolve, and emit radiation.
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Founded YearGustav Kirchhoff and Robert Bunsen's 1859 work on spectroscopy, showing that dark lines in the solar spectrum correspond to the emission lines of heated elements on Earth, let astronomy grow into astrophysics by making the chemical composition of stars measurable. Central QuestionBy what physical processes do stars form, generate energy, and end their lives, and how do those processes seed the heavier elements from which planets and living things are made? 2 ScopeAstrophysics applies the laws and methods of physics and chemistry to explain the birth, life and death of stars, planets, galaxies and the interstellar medium, and the universe as a whole. 2 SignificanceThe rise of spectroscopy in the mid nineteenth century let astronomers analyze the light of stars rather than only their positions, splitting astrophysics off from positional astronomy; the terms astronomy and astrophysics are now used largely interchangeably in modern practice. 2 Cross-Tradition Connections
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Joint founding with Robert Bunsen: their 1859-1861 spectral-analysis work identified the chemical composition of the sun and stars.
Joint founding with Gustav Kirchhoff: their 1859-1861 spectral-analysis work identified the chemical composition of the sun and stars.
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