Stellar Astrophysics

Stellar astrophysics is the branch of astrophysics that focuses on the study of stars, including their formation, evolution, structure, and end stages. It examines the physical properties and processes occurring within stars, such as nuclear fusion, thermodynamic behavior, and the impacts of magnetic fields. Stellar astrophysics seeks to understand the lifecycle of stars, from their birth in nebulae to their transformation into white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes upon death. It also investigates stellar populations, their distributions in galaxies, and the role stars play in the broader cosmic context, including their influence on chemical enrichment of the universe and the formation of planetary systems. This field combines observational data from telescopes with theoretical models and simulations to explain the fundamental processes that govern stellar phenomena.