Astrophysics vocabulary

Black Hole

A region of space where the gravitational pull is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape from it.

Event Horizon

The boundary surrounding a black hole beyond which nothing can escape the gravitational pull.

Neutron Star

An extremely dense stellar remnant composed primarily of neutrons, formed after a supernova explosion.

Redshift

The phenomenon where light from an object is shifted towards the red end of the spectrum, indicating that the object is moving away from the observer.

Dark Matter

A form of matter that does not emit or interact with electromagnetic radiation, making it detectable only through its gravitational effects.

Dark Energy

A mysterious force that is driving the accelerated expansion of the universe.

Galaxy

A vast system of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter, bound together by gravity.

Supernova

A powerful and luminous explosion that occurs at the end of a star's life cycle.

Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation

The thermal radiation filling the universe, a remnant from the Big Bang.

Singularity

A point in a black hole where gravitational forces compress matter to an infinitely small point, leading to infinite density.