Introduction to Plasma Astrophysics

Introductory course on plasma physics, as it applies to space and astrophysical systems. Fundamental concepts are developed with mathematical rigor, and applications to the physics of a wide variety of astrophysical systems are made. Topics include charged particle motion, magnetohydrodynamics, kinetic theory, waves, instabilities, and turbulence. Applications to the physics of the solar wind and corona, the intracluster medium of galaxy clusters, the interstellar medium (including cosmic rays) of galaxies, protostellar cores, and a wide variety of accretion flows are given.