Expert: Philip A. Stahl - 10/10/2007

Question
What got you interested in astrophysics?

Answer
Hello, Michelle


I think I first became interested in astrophysics not long after I built my first refracting telescope at the age of 12. The mere act of going out each night and observing the many bright stars: Sirius, Betelgeuse, Antares, Rigel, etc. - incited me to wonder where they got their energy. How did they shine? How did they produce so much light from so many light years distance?

Observing the brighter nebulae( M42 in Orion, the 'Lagoon' in Sagittarius) also spurred me to investigate and inquire how they were energized.

From there it was just a matter of locating a nearby library- where I would spend much time during the summers reading books on the stars and nebulae.

At some point, I found an article (in an Encyclopedia) that showed exactly how the stars shone and what they were - but the math was far too difficult for me at the age of 12-13. (Differential and integral calculus).

I was determined from then to master that math - what I reagarded as the 'secret code to the energy of stars'-  and learn what really lay behind stellar structure and energy. I also learned that the subject which addressed it was none other than astrophysics.

I realized as I entered High school that in order to pursue astrophysics (later in college) I would have to concentrate in math and physics, and did so. I took every physics and math course I could, and then on entering university - increased that to prepare for grad level astrophysics  courses. (I later entered another university that actually offered astronomy as a Bachelor's degree program)

Hope this info sheds some light on my interest!