Physics and Astronomy Calendar

Cosmic Rays have long been known to be an important constituent in the local universe, on a par, energetically with gas, magnetic fields and radiation. The presence of highly energetic elementary particles in even the largest cosmic structures is now also clear, while those particles and their sources appear to play potentially crucial roles in the dynamics and the evolution of galaxies, galaxy clusters and perhaps even larger structures. In addition, their observable properties can provide unique insights into the physics of these environments. Possibly excepting the very highest energy cosmic rays, the emerging picture of their origins depends on the physics of collisionless shockwaves and turbulent plasmas and processes remarkably similar in character to those proposed more than 1/2 century ago by Fermi. Our research centers on understanding these processes and their application to key astrophysical environments. Most of our studies involve sometimes large numerical simulations of shocks and complex astrophysical environments containing shocks. These environments range in scale from stars to sizable chunks of the universe.