Astronomy with Reality

Generally, objects beyond our solar system are handled in the field of astrophysics. These include stars, the interstellar medium, other objects in our Milky Way Galaxy, and galaxies beyond our own. NASA defines astrophysics as the investigation of astronomical bodies by remote sensing from Earth or its vicinity. Because the targets of the astrophysicist are generally beyond human reach even with our fastest rockets, astrophysicists concentrate solely on what the electromagnetic spectrum can tell them about the universe. NASA’s astrophysics program has three goals: to understand the origin and fate of the universe; to describe the fundamental laws of physics; and to discover the nature and evolution of galaxies, stars, and the solar system. The investigations of astrophysicists are carried out by instruments aboard free-flying satellites, sounding rockets that penetrate into space for brief periods, high-flying aircraft and high-altitude balloons, and Space Shuttle missions.