Phys 8611.001

This course is an advanced course that will survey dynamics of high energy particles and magnetic fields in the cosmos, as evidenced by the observations of cosmic rays in the solar system. The first part of the course will survey the observational basics of the cosmic rays, discuss the astrophysical environment of the Earth and Solar System, and briefly outline the
basic energy sources for cosmic radiation. Then there will be a detailed description of the basic physical processes involved in the acceleration and detection of cosmic rays. First, single
particle dynamics will be considered, emphasizing the interaction of charged particles with magnetic fields, the interactions of charged particles with matter, and acceleration processes that can occur in the astrophysical environment. Magnetic fields are essential to the acceleration of
cosmic rays, and so the next major topic will be dynamics of these magnetic fields, as described by the theory of magnetohydrodynamics. The physics of collisionless shocks, the process of magnetic reconnection, and the generation of the magnetic fields themselves will be addressed. The final section will discuss nuclear and elementary particle physics processes relevant to the cosmic rays, including nuclear fusion, the production and detection of neutrinos, and nuclear and
elementary particle processes in the propagation of cosmic rays.