Physics isn't entirely understood, and magic is considered a really advanced technology. 100 years ago going into space was impossible, now it's not.
I don't completely understand my wife, but I know how to stay out of trouble when she's close by.
We know heat at least that well.
And yes we couldn't travel to space a hundred years ago. Having said that, Wizards still can't. We also can't generate confined plasma's like Harry is able to do. If we could fusion power wouldn't always be 40 years away.
I see Harry's blasting rod and staff serving the same purpose as the magnets in the tokamak style fusion test beds, refining his native capabilities.