Alexander G. Kosovichev - Böcker

The importance of connecting astrophysical theory, observations, simulations and laboratory astrophysics is nowadays widely appreciated by the scientific community. IAU Symposium 274 discusses recent observational, theoretical and experimental efforts in understanding the basic plasma processes in the Universe at all scales, from the primordial plasmas of the early Universe to stellar and laboratory plasmas. Experts from different fields examine topics including: the origin and dynamics of magnetic fields in astrophysical systems (the dynamo problem); the origin of x-ray emitting coronas and the role of magnetic reconnection; the acceleration of charged particles; winds and jets from highly-evolved stars and supernova remnants; plasma radiation processes; turbulence of the magnetized plasma in astrophysical objects and in the ISM, IGM and the solar wind; quantum plasmas under extreme conditions in planetary interiors and in exotic stars; and many other key problems in modern plasma astrophysics.

Solar activity has become of increasing importance in our modern society, as many aspects of today's technology could be affected by eruptive phenomena associated with solar magnetic variability. State of the art solar instrumentation is revealing the dynamics of the Sun with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolutions. This volume includes recent results in solar physics research presented at the IAU Symposium 327, the first IAU symposium held in Colombia, in the historical city of Cartagena de Indias, one of the oldest in the Americas. Its main scientific goal was to discuss recent results on the processes shaping the structure of the solar atmosphere and driving plasma eruptions and explosive events in our star. Researchers in both theory and observation, who study structure and activity in the solar atmosphere, discuss a wide range of topics in the field.

Recent observational results from space- and ground-based telescopes have demonstrated that a unified approach to the relationships between solar and stellar magnetism is necessary to advance our understanding of magnetic fields. The Proceedings of IAU Symposium 354 present recent results and discussions of emerging topics, including: magnetic field diagnostics using high-resolution observation; initial data from ALMA, Chinese Radio Spectroheliograph and other instruments; the detection of stellar magnetospheres; and the detailed mapping of magnetic fields on the surface of stars using new unique instrumentation. These observations stimulate comparisons of solar and stellar results, and improve our understanding of how surface magnetic structures and their evolution are related to the generation of magnetic fields by dynamos in solar and stellar interiors. This volume benefits graduate students and researchers interested in the recent advances and key problems of solar and stellar magnetic fields, and their impacts on planetary atmospheres.

Discusses recent advances and new problems in the exploration of the Sun's interior structure, solar dynamics and dynamo, mechanisms of sunspot and active regions formation, sources of solar irradiance variations and links between the subsurface dynamics, flaring and CME activity.NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) mission has provided a large amount of new data on solar dynamics and magnetic activities during the rising phase of the current and highly unusual solar cycle. These data are complemented by the continuing SOHO mission and by ground-based observatories that include the GONG helioseismology network and the New Solar Telescope. Also, the observations are supported by realistic numerical simulations on supercomputers. This unprecedented amount of data provides a unique opportunity for multi-instrument investigations that address fundamental problems of the origin of solar magnetic activity at various spatial and temporal scales. This book demonstrates that the synergy of high-resolution multi-wavelength observations and simulations is a key to uncovering the long-standing puzzles of solar magnetism and dynamics.This volume is aimed at researchers and graduate students active in solar physics and space science.Originally published in Solar Physics journal, Vol. 287/1-2, 2013.