A broad range of topics are discussed in this text, from nuclear structure at the edge of stability to nuclear astrophysics and cosmic ray physics at the highest energies. Both the state-of-the-art and basic background information are presented with a particular emphasis on interrelated research interests. The writers are all active scientists who enjoy the highest international reputation. They cover a range of problems of nuclear structure, in particular those concerning exotic nuclei and their decay modes, their relevance to nuclear reaction chains in stellar burning processes at various astrophysical sites, and as yet unsolved questions concerning the origin, acceleration mechanism, energy spectrum and elemental composition of high energy cosmic rays. The text should be of value to postgraduate physicists interested in the development of modern radioactive beam facilities, large array gamma ray and cosmic ray detectors, and new theoretical tools.
