Ana Maria Mourao - Böcker

The proceedings of the first meeting on “New Worlds in Astroparticle Physics” focus on the joint field of particle physics and astrophysics. This is a field widely open to both theory and experiment. Important questions of particle physics — from the role of the Higgs scalar to the deconfined QCD phase, the developments beyond the Standard Model and the subtle behavior of neutrinos — are discussed. The same is true for the relevant questions in astrophysics and cosmology — from the fluctuations in the photon background radiation to large scale structure formation, dark matter searches and the origin of cosmic rays at very high energies. The two viewpoints, from the small sizes or from the large scales, are convergent and reveal the same universe: the universe of astroparticle physics.

The second meeting on "New Worlds in Astroparticle Physics" reflected the growing interest and enthusiasm in the joint field of particle physics and astrophysics. The recent results of Superkamiokande on the possible neutrino oscillations are reviewed both from the experimental and theoretical points of view. The determination of the mass density in the Universe covered a wide range of topics from the Large Scale Structures to the Supernovae Cosmology project.Each main subject was introduced by a comprehensive review. The study of the origin and composition of cosmic rays is inspiring a new generation of earth- and space-based experiments.

This book discusses many of the recent theoretical and observational developments that have significant implications for astronomy and astrophysics. The main themes are (i) cosmology, (ii) gravitational wave astronomy and gravitational physics, (iii) stellar astrophysics, and (iv) active galactic nuclei and disk accretion. There are also contributions on the solar system.

This volume covers many different subjects, from very high energy cosmic rays to neutrino physics, gravitational waves and cosmology. Recent achievements and the exciting years to come are emphasized.

The Fourth International Workshop on New Worlds in Astroparticle Physics was the latest in the biennial series, held in Faro, Portugal. The program included both invited and contributed talks. Each of the sessions opened with a pedagogical overview of the current state of the respective field. The following topics were covered: cosmological parameters; neutrino physics and astrophysics; gravitational waves; beyond standard models: strings; cosmic rays: origin, propagation and interaction; matter under extreme conditions; supernovae and dark matter.The proceedings have been selected for coverage in:• Index to Scientific & Technical Proceedings (ISTP CDROM version / ISI Proceedings)