Astrophysics & Particle Physics-APPC 2026

Astrophysics and Space Science are multidisciplinary disciplines concerned with the study of the universe, its constituents, and the physical mechanisms that control celestial activity. Astrophysics uses principles of physics and mathematics to explain observations of stars, galaxies, planetary systems, and the interstellar medium, while space science focuses on exploration and research of space environments outside Earth.Astrophysicists explore many phenomena such as stellar evolution, supernovae, black holes, neutron stars, exoplanets, and cosmic rays. The study of galaxies and large-scale structures helps scientists understand dark matter, dark energy, and the expansion of the universe, providing insight into the origins, structure, and ultimate fate of the cosmos.Observational tools such as ground-based telescopes, radio arrays, and space telescopes (like Hubble, Chandra, and James Webb) enable the collection of electromagnetic signals across the spectrum—from radio waves to gamma rays. Space science missions extend this understanding with planetary probes, satellites, and interstellar flights, providing direct measurements of space environments, planetary atmospheres, and cosmic radiation.

Computational astrophysics and simulations enable modeling of advanced phenomena, such as galaxy evolution, star birth, supernova explosions, and black hole mergers, connecting theory with observation. Multi-messenger astronomy, with gravitational waves, neutrinos, and cosmic rays, delivers a more comprehensive understanding of high-energy phenomena and extreme environments.Astrophysics and space science also cover astrochemistry, the physics of molecules in space, and planetary science, encompassing the dynamics, composition, and atmospheres of planets and exoplanets. These areas help us learn about the context for life elsewhere in the universe and the development of planetary systems.

Astrophysics and space science, using theory, observation, and experiment, uncover the universe's underlying physical laws, from its tiny particles to the large-scale cosmic structures.These areas continue to broaden our knowledge of the universe, stimulate technological development, and provoke exploration of the unexplored regions of beyond Earth.