laboratory astrophysics

Laboratory astrophysics involves studying materials and processes under conditions similar to those found in space, using Earth-based experiments. This field helps scientists understand how celestial objects behave, such as how stars form, how planets develop, or how cosmic rays interact with matter. By recreating extreme temperatures, pressures, and radiation in labs, researchers can interpret astronomical observations more accurately. Essentially, laboratory astrophysics provides the fundamental data and insights needed to decode the universe's phenomena, acting as a bridge between observations and the physical processes occurring in space.