2003/02/11 by R. D. Blandford, Blandford, R. D.
Physics and Astronomy · #Astrophysics (astro-ph) #Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena #FOS: Physical sciences #Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae #Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.astro-ph/0302226
To appear in "High Energy Processes and Phenomena in Astrophysics, IAU Symposium 214", X. Li, Z. Wang, V. Trimble (eds)
arxiv created 2003/02/11 · openalex publication_date 2003/02/11 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
A brief summary of some highlights in the study of high energy astrophysical sources over the past decade is presented. It is argued that the great progress that has been made derives largely from the application of new technology to observation throughout all of the electromagnetic and other spectra and that, on this basis, the next decade should be even more exciting. However, it is imperative to observe cosmic sources throughout these spectra in order to obtain a full understanding of their properties. In addition, it is necessary to learn the universal laws that govern the macroscopic and the microscopic behavior of cosmic plasma over a great range of physical conditions by combining observations of different classes of source. These two injunctions are illustrated by discussions of cosmology, hot gas, supernova remnants and explosions, neutron stars, black holes and ultrarelativistic outflows. New interpreations of the acceleration of Galactic cosmic rays, the cooling of hot gas in rich clusters and the nature of ultrarelativistic outflows are outlined. The new frontiers of VHE γ-ray astronomy, low frequency radio astronomy, neutrino astronomy, UHE cosmic ray physics and gravitational wave astronomy are especially promising.