Astrophysics

1. Celestial Bodies
   1. Stars
      1. Life Cycle of Stars
         1. Stellar formation
            1. Molecular clouds and nebulae
            2. Collapse and protostar formation
         2. Main sequence phase
            1. Hydrogen burning process
            2. Hydrostatic equilibrium
         3. Post-main sequence evolution
            1. Red giant phase
            2. Helium burning and beyond
         4. End stages of stellar life
            1. Planetary nebula and white dwarf
            2. Supernova and neutron star/black hole formation
      2. Classification
         1. Hertzsprung-Russell diagram
            1. Luminosity and temperature correlation
            2. Spectral classifications (O, B, A, F, G, K, M)
         2. Other classifications
            1. Main sequence stars
            2. Giant stars and supergiants
            3. Dwarf stars (white, brown)
      3. Stellar Nucleosynthesis
         1. Nuclear reactions in stars
            1. Fusion processes
            2. Role of pressure and temperature
         2. Elements formed in stars
            1. Light elements (Hydrogen, Helium)
            2. Heavier elements (Carbon, Oxygen, Iron)
         3. Supernova nucleosynthesis
            1. Formation of elements beyond iron
            2. Distribution into the interstellar medium
   2. Planets
      1. Formation and Structure
         1. Nebular hypothesis
            1. Protoplanetary disk formation
            2. Accretion process
         2. Core accretion method
            1. Formation of planetesimals
            2. Differentiation and core formation
      2. Types of Planets
         1. Terrestrial
            1. Characteristics (rocky surfaces, metallic cores)
            2. Examples in the solar system
         2. Gas giants
            1. Composition and structure (e.g., hydrogen-helium)
            2. Notable features (e.g., rings, large moons)
         3. Ice giants
            1. Unique atmospheric compositions
            2. Notable characteristics (e.g., smaller size compared to gas giants)
         4. Exoplanets
            1. Methods of detection (transit, radial velocity)
            2. Diversity of exoplanetary systems
      3. Planetary Atmospheres and Climates
         1. Atmospheric composition
            1. Layers and gases
            2. Effects of solar radiation
         2. Climate patterns and phenomena
            1. Weather systems and circulation
            2. Greenhouse effect and albedo
   3. Moons
      1. Properties and Types
         1. Regular vs. irregular moons
            1. Orbital characteristics
            2. Notable examples in the solar system
         2. Geological activity
            1. Volcanism and tectonics
            2. Presence of liquid water/ice
      2. Formation Theories
         1. Co-formation theories
            1. Accretion with parent planet
         2. Capture theories
            1. Gravitational capture of passing bodies
         3. Impact theories
            1. Giant impact hypothesis (e.g., formation of Earth's Moon)
      3. Tidal Interactions
         1. Tidal forces and their effects
            1. Orbital changes and synchronization
            2. Tidal heating and geological activity
   4. Asteroids and Comets
      1. Composition and Orbits
         1. Differences in composition
            1. Rocky/metallic asteroids
            2. Icy comets
         2. Orbital characteristics
            1. Asteroid belt vs. Kuiper belt and Oort cloud
      2. Differences Between Asteroids and Comets
         1. Physical characteristics
            1. Surface appearance and structure
         2. Activity and behavior
            1. Cometary tails and sublimation
      3. Impact History and Effects
         1. Historical impacts on Earth
            1. Role in mass extinctions
            2. Evidence in geological records
         2. Monitoring and mitigation strategies
            1. Near-Earth objects (NEOs)
            2. Potential impact prevention measures
   5. Galaxies
      1. Types of Galaxies
         1. Spiral galaxies
            1. Structural features (bulge, disk, halo)
         2. Elliptical galaxies
            1. Shape and size variations
            2. Stellar populations and dynamics
         3. Irregular galaxies
            1. Lack of structured form
            2. Often result of collisions or interactions
      2. Galactic Structure and Dynamics
         1. Components of a galaxy
            1. Stars, interstellar medium, dark matter halo
         2. Galactic rotation and dark matter
            1. Rotation curves
            2. Dark matter evidence
      3. Galaxy Formation and Evolution
         1. Hierarchical merging model
            1. Building blocks of galaxies
         2. Star formation activity
            1. Starburst galaxies
            2. Role in galaxy evolution
         3. Galaxy interactions and mergers
            1. Environmental effects on galaxy morphology
   6. Black Holes
      1. Definition and Detection
         1. Nature of black holes
            1. Event horizon and singularity
            2. Escape velocity concept
         2. Methods of detection
            1. Gravitational waves
            2. X-ray emissions and Hawking radiation
      2. Types of Black Holes
         1. Stellar black holes
            1. Formation through supernova collapse
         2. Supermassive black holes
            1. Existence at galactic centers
            2. Use in galaxy dynamics and evolution
      3. Event Horizon and Singularity
         1. Schwarzschild radius
         2. Theoretical implications and paradoxes
            1. Information paradox
            2. Quantum gravity considerations
   7. Neutron Stars and Pulsars
      1. Formation Mechanisms
         1. Result of supernova collapse
         2. Density and composition (neutron degeneracy pressure)
      2. Properties and Behaviors
         1. Magnetic fields and rotation
            1. Characteristics of pulsars
         2. Thermal properties
            1. Cooling processes
      3. Role in the Universe
         1. X-ray binaries
            1. Accretion processes
         2. Role in gravitational wave emission
            1. Binary neutron star mergers