I scroll this sub and read everything you guys post and think about how ill soon be a part of this conversation, hopefully i'll be pursuing my Bachelors of Science in Astrophysics this year.

Wish me luck!

My physicist friend once explained to me that dark matter is dark because it does not interact with the electromagnetic spectrum. Hence, photos neither reflect nor refract off of it.

Likewise, because it doesn't interact with electromagnetism, we can walk right through it, since touch or the sense of solidity is really an exchange of electrons, which dark matter does not make possible.

Then I started wondering about X-rays, Microwaves, gravitons and such. I have to believe that at this point all such thinks have been tested, but have no knowledge of the results.

Perhaps some physicist here could enlighten me.

Prolly a stupid doubt. So i was solving the radiative transfer equations and reached here

and now i have to calculate the "Net energy passing through a particular layer". But i dont understand how do write it.

Can you build a career in astrophysics without pursuing a PhD?

I’m not looking to be a professor or PI, but I do want to contribute meaningfully to real astrophysics.

I’m talking about roles like staff scientist, research associate, data analyst, or research support positions that work on actual missions, data, or instrumentation. Basically be part of the science, even if I’m not leading it.

Is this realistic with just a Master’s in Astrophysics?