Galaxies and Gravity: How Astrophysics Shapes Our Understanding of Space
As we gaze up at the night sky, a tapestry of twinkling stars and swirling galaxies unfolds before us. This cosmic playground is not merely a sight to behold; it embodies centuries of human curiosity and scientific inquiry. Galaxies, the fundamental building blocks of the universe, are vast collections of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter. Each galaxy possesses its own unique structure—some spiral gracefully like the Milky Way, while others are elliptical or irregular in shape. Delving into their composition reveals more than just beauty; it opens a window to understanding how our universe came into being. Gravity is the invisible hand that orchestrates this grand ballet among celestial bodies. It binds galaxies together and governs their interactions. The gravitational pull between massive objects can warp space-time itself, leading to phenomena such as gravitational lensing, where light from distant stars bends around massive galaxies. This effect not only captivates our imaginatio...