Most broadlyastrophysics is the physics of everything beyond the Earth. Its purview ranges from cosmologythe study of the origin and evolution of the Universeto space physicsthe study of rarefied plasma in the solar system.

Astrophysicists seek to understand the originevolutionand destiny of the Universe and its constituent galaxiesstarsand planetsand the entire observed Universe serves as their laboratory. All areas of astrophysics are united by their common use of astrophysical laboratories to explore fundamental physicsand stillthey can be divided into the areas of CosmologyCompact Objectsand Stars & Planetary Systemswith significant overlap among these fields. 

Astrophysical research is carried out in the Physics Departmentthe Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL)Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)and in close association with the Astronomy Department and the Berkeley Center for Cosmological Physics (BCCP).