8th Korean Astrophysics Workshop on

Astrophysics of High-Beta Plasma in the Universe

November 10-13, 2014

ShineVille Resort, Jeju Island, Korea

 

  Scientific Rationale

 

- Most of the baryonic matter in the universe is in the form of hot, collisionless, high-beta plasma. Two such important environments, their similarities and differences provide the motivation for this workshop; the intracluster media of galaxy clusters (ICMs) and the interplanetary medium (IPM). The first is vast, but remote; the second is the only high beta plasma directly accessible to in situ measurements.

- ICMs have been recognized over the past two decades as not only the dominant baryonic component of galaxy clusters, but also vital elements in their formation and evolution, the formation and evolution of the individual galaxies, as well as essential cluster diagnostic tools. The ICMs are highly dynamic, penetrated by shocks and other discontinuities and apparently turbulent.

- ICMs may also provide a unique, if remote, laboratory for basic plasma physics. Yet, important microphysical processes in the ICM, such as those controlling dissipation, conduction, turbulence, magnetic field evolution and energetic particle acceleration, are poorly understood.

- The IPM is also a collisionless, moderately high beta plasma containing shocks, other discontinuities and turbulence. In these characteristics it is similar to the ICM and distinct from typical terrestrial laboratory plasmas. Because of its proximity to Earth and accessibility to in situ measurements, microphysical processes and dynamical states of the IPM are much better understood than those of the ICM. It may provide lessons relevant to the ICM.

- The plan for this workshop is to set up focused sessions through which we hope to understand key plasma physical properties of the ICM, as well as their roles, and to identify similarities and contrasts with other plasma environments, especially the IPM, and to extract valuable insights of common value to the broader community.

 

  Topics to be covered

 

- Shock waves in the ICM and IPM

- Turbulence and magnetic fields in the ICM and IPM

- Magnetic reconnection in the IPM and ICM

- Particle acceleration, particle transport and diffusion in diffuse, magnetized media

- Radio, X-ray, and gamma-ray observations of the ICM and their interpretation

For further information or questions, please contact ryu_at_sirius.unist.ac.kr