Editing Astrophysics (section)

==Theoretical astrophysics==
{{see also|Theoretical astronomy}}
Theoretical astrophysicists use a wide variety of tools which include [[mathematical model|analytical models]] (for example, [[polytrope]]s to approximate the behaviors of a star) and [[computation]]al [[Numerical analysis|numerical simulations]]. Each has some advantages. Analytical models of a process are generally better for giving insight into the heart of what is going on. Numerical models can reveal the existence of phenomena and effects that would otherwise not be seen.<ref>{{Citation |first=H. |last=Roth |title=A Slowly Contracting or Expanding Fluid Sphere and its Stability |journal=[[Physical Review]] |volume=39 |issue=3 |pages=525–529 |year=1932 |doi=10.1103/PhysRev.39.525 |bibcode = 1932PhRv...39..525R }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |first=A.S. |last=Eddington |title=Internal Constitution of the Stars |journal=Science |location=New York |publisher=Cambridge University Press |orig-year=1926 |year=1988 |volume=52 |issue=1341 |pages=233–240 |doi=10.1126/science.52.1341.233 |isbn=978-0-521-33708-3 |pmid=17747682 |bibcode=1920Sci....52..233E |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1429642 }}</ref>

Theorists in astrophysics endeavor to create theoretical models and figure out the observational consequences of those models. This helps allow observers to look for data that can refute a model or help in choosing between several alternate or conflicting models.

Theorists also try to generate or modify models to take into account new data. In the case of an inconsistency, the general tendency is to try to make minimal modifications to the model to fit the data. In some cases, a large amount of inconsistent data over time may lead to total abandonment of a model.

Topics studied by theoretical astrophysicists include stellar dynamics and evolution; galaxy formation and evolution; magnetohydrodynamics; large-scale structure of matter in the universe; origin of cosmic rays; general relativity and physical cosmology, including [[string theory|string]] cosmology and astroparticle physics. Relativistic astrophysics serves as a tool to gauge the properties of large-scale structures for which gravitation plays a significant role in physical phenomena investigated and as the basis for [[black hole]] (''astro'')physics and the study of [[gravitational waves]].

Some widely accepted and studied theories and models in astrophysics, now included in the [[Lambda-CDM model]], are the [[Big Bang]], [[cosmic inflation]], dark matter, dark energy and fundamental theories of physics.