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In Focus
Puzzling Astrophysical Phenomena
4
Astrophysics is one of the few
disciplines of basic scientific research
which in the foreseeable
future can be expected to deliver
results that will lead to fundamental
alterations in our view of
the physical world comparable to
paradigm changes such as the introduction
of quantum theory or
Einstein’s general theory of relativity
some 100 years ago. Exotic
objects, such as neutron stars,
black holes, remnants of supernovae
and other gas nebulae, as
well as entire stellar systems such
as galaxies and galaxy clusters,
present a unique opportunity to
study matter under extreme tem-
peratures, pressures, densities,
magnetic field strengths and other
physical parameters that cannot
be reproduced in a terrestrial
laboratory. These parameters are
measured in modern astrophysics
using earth-based telescopes as
well as space observatories
which unite to cover the entire
electromagnetic spectrum from
radio waves to x-ray and gamma
radiation.
Focal instruments that allow
the weak light signal gathered by
the telescope to be transformed
into a directly interpretable parameter
are just as important as
the light-gathering power and
resolution of the telescopes employed
in these applications. Direct
imaging cameras, spectrographs
with low, medium or high
spectral resolution, polarimeters,
interferometers and other focal
instruments provide us with a
far-reaching view into the history
of the origin, development and
structure of physical phenomena
– some of which are not yet understood.
Consequently, the use
of state-of-the-art technology in
modern telescopes has become
an indispensable element in modern
astrophysical research.
Innovation 16, Carl Zeiss AG, 2005