This volume presents the lecture notes of the 24th Advanced Course of the Swiss Society for Astrophysics and Astronomy in March 1994 at Les Diablerets. In three lectures on magnetohydrodynamics, on kinetic plasma physics and on particle acceleration leading experts describe the physical basis of their subjects and extend the discussion to several applications in modern problems of astrophysics. In style and presentation the texts are well-suited for graduate work in plasma astrophysics, one of the very important tools of modern astronomy. The themes developed in this book will be helpful in understanding many processes in the universe from the solar corona to active galaxies.

Inhalt
Contents: E.R. Priest: Magnetohydrodynamics: The Sun.- Magnetohydrodynamic Equations.- Magnetohydrostatics.- Magnothydrodynamic Waves.- The Solar Wind.- Magnetic Reconnection.- Coronal Heating.- Prominences.- Solar Flares.- D.B. Melrose: Kinetic Plasma Physics: Distributions of Particles and Waves.- Wave-Particle Resonance.- Resonant Scattering.- Scattering of Cosmic Rays.- Scattering and Acceleration of Electrons.- Gyromagnetic Absorption and Cyclotron Maser Emission.- Synchrotron Emission.- Plasma Emission.- Pulsars.- J.G. Kirk: Particle Acceleration: Introduction.- Shock-Drift Acceleration.- The First-Order Fermi Process at Shocks.- Cosmic Ray Acceleration in Supernova Remnants.- Jets and Active Galactic Nuclei.- Radio Supernovae.