Astrophysics & Particle Physics-APPC 2026

Nuclear Physics for Astrophysics examines the contribution of nuclear reactions to the life cycle of stars, element formation, and the evolution of the universe. By bringing together concepts of nuclear physics and astrophysics, this discipline provides insight into the formation of chemical elements and energy generation in stellar environments.A principal emphasis is stellar nucleosynthesis, the process of stars fusing lighter nuclei into heavier nuclei, releasing energy that drives stars. In low-mass stars, proton-proton chain is predominant, but in higher-mass stars, CNO cycle plays an important role in hydrogen burning. Nuclear processes in late stages of stellar evolution create carbon, oxygen, neon, and heavier elements, determining the universe's chemical make-up.Strictly high-energy processes, including supernovae and neutron star mergers, fuel r-process nucleosynthesis, synthesizing most of the heaviest elements gold, platinum, and uranium.

The s-process takes place in asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, synthesizing heavy elements through slow neutron capture. Investigation of these processes links nuclear physics with measurable cosmic abundances.Nuclear astrophysics investigates nuclear reaction rates, decay mechanisms, and cross-sections under conditions of extreme temperature and pressure, which are different from those in terrestrial laboratory experiments. These responses affect stellar structure, evolution, and supernova explosions, offering critical inputs to computational star and galaxy models.Observations of stellar elemental abundances, nebular elemental abundances, and interstellar elemental abundances, coupled with laboratory nuclear experiments and simulations, enable theorists to make tests of theoretical models.

This discipline also aids in the understanding of neutrino formation, energy transport, and compact object physics such as neutron stars.By uniting nuclear physics and astrophysics, Nuclear Physics for Astrophysics offers a basic understanding of how nuclear processes fuel stellar evolution, element formation, and cosmic phenomena, thus serving as a foundation of contemporary astrophysics and high-energy astrophysical science.