Astrophysics
An in-depth exploration of the physical processes governing celestial objects and phenomena throughout the universe. From stellar structure and evolution to compact objects, gravitational waves, and cosmological observations.
New to Astrophysics?
Check out our beginner-friendly course designed for undergraduate students! Learn about stars, galaxies, black holes, and cosmology with accessible explanations, real-world examples, and links to advanced topics when you're ready.
Start with Astrophysics for Beginners →Advanced Course Overview
This comprehensive astrophysics course covers the fundamental physics of stars, galaxies, compact objects, and large-scale structure. We explore stellar evolution, nuclear processes, gravitational dynamics, and observational techniques that have revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos.
8 Parts
Comprehensive coverage from stellar physics to cosmological observations
48+ Chapters
Detailed topics with derivations and observational data
Video Lectures
Curated lecture series from leading institutions
Course Structure
Part I: Stellar Structure and Evolution
Equations of stellar structure, energy generation via nuclear fusion, stellar evolution from main sequence to compact remnants. Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, stellar populations, and nucleosynthesis.
Part II: Compact Objects
White dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes. Degeneracy pressure, Chandrasekhar limit, neutron star equation of state, pulsar physics, accretion disks, and X-ray binaries.
Part III: Galactic Dynamics
Gravitational potentials, orbital dynamics, disk stability, rotation curves, dark matter distribution, spiral structure, and the Milky Way's structure and kinematics.
Part IV: High-Energy Astrophysics
Particle acceleration, synchrotron radiation, Compton scattering, jets and blazars, gamma-ray bursts, cosmic rays, and multi-messenger astrophysics.
Part V: Gravitational Waves
Generation and detection of gravitational waves, LIGO/Virgo observations, binary inspiral and merger, waveform analysis, multi-messenger astronomy, and future detectors.
Part VI: Extragalactic Astronomy
Galaxy classification and evolution, active galactic nuclei, quasars, supermassive black holes, galaxy clusters, large-scale structure, and the cosmic web.
Part VII: Observational Techniques
Telescopes and instruments across the electromagnetic spectrum, photometry, spectroscopy, interferometry, adaptive optics, space missions, and data analysis methods.
Part VIII: Planetary Systems and Exoplanets
Solar system formation, planet formation and migration, exoplanet detection methods, habitability, atmospheres, and the search for life beyond Earth.
Featured Lecture Series
When Black Holes Collide: Revealing the Universe with Gravitational Waves
Fall 2024 Lecture Series exploring the groundbreaking detections of gravitational waves from merging black holes and neutron stars. Learn about LIGO's revolutionary observations, the physics of compact object mergers, and how gravitational wave astronomy is opening a new window on the universe.
Extreme Astrophysics with Compact Objects
Fall 2024 Lecture Series on the physics of white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes. This comprehensive module covers classical mechanics foundations, orbital dynamics, the two-body problem, and their applications to X-ray binaries, pulsars, and gravitational wave sources.
Prerequisites
Recommended Background:
- • Classical Mechanics (Lagrangian & Hamiltonian)
- • Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
- • Quantum Mechanics (basic level)
- • Special Relativity
- • General Relativity (for advanced topics)
Mathematical Tools:
- • Vector calculus and differential equations
- • Basic numerical methods
- • Statistical analysis
- • Fourier analysis
- • Some tensor calculus (for GR topics)
Key Topics Covered
Fundamental Physics:
- • Radiative transfer and opacity
- • Nuclear reaction networks
- • Equation of state for extreme matter
- • Magnetic field dynamics
- • Plasma physics in astrophysical contexts
Observational:
- • Multi-wavelength astronomy
- • Gravitational wave detections
- • Neutrino astronomy
- • Time-domain astronomy
- • Survey science and big data