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# Astrophysics Cheatsheet ## Basic Concepts - Astrophysics is the study of the physical properties and behavior of celestial objects, including stars, galaxies, and the universe as a whole. - Astrophysics is closely related to astronomy, which is the study of celestial objects and phenomena. ## Stars - Stars are massive, luminous objects that are held together by gravity and powered by nuclear fusion. - The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram is a plot of a star's luminosity versus its surface temperature. - Stellar evolution describes the life cycle of a star, from its formation to its death. ## Galaxies - Galaxies are large systems of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity. - The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy that contains our solar system. - The study of galaxy formation and evolution is an active area of research in astrophysics. ## Cosmology - Cosmology is the study of the origin, evolution, and structure of the universe as a whole. - The Big Bang theory is the prevailing model of the universe's origin and evolution. - Dark matter and dark energy are mysterious substances that are thought to make up most of the universe's mass and energy. ## Black Holes - Black holes are regions of space where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape. - The event horizon is the boundary around a black hole beyond which nothing can escape. - Black holes are thought to play a key role in the evolution of galaxies. ## Gravitational Waves - Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of spacetime that are produced by accelerating masses. - The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) detected gravitational waves for the first time in 2015. - Gravitational waves provide a new way to study the universe and test Einstein's theory of general relativity. ## Resources - [Astrophysics on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrophysics) - [An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics by Bradley W. Carroll and Dale A. Ostlie](https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/an-introduction-to-modern-astrophysics/7E6C2E6D8B9B9F6B7E2F2D3B7C6A3D07) - [NASA Astrophysics Data System](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/) (searchable database of astrophysics research)