Numerical Methods for Plasma Astrophysics:
From Particle Kinetics to MHD

CSIC Building (#406), Seminar Room 4122.
Directions: home.cscamm.umd.edu/directions

Long Mean Free Path Physics and Magnetic Field Structure

Dr. Steven Cowley

Physics at UCLA

Abstract:   I will discuss the challenge of understanding plasma turbulence and magnetic field structure in clusters of galaxies where the mean free path of electrons and ions can be sizable. The difficulty of describing these plasmas as a fluid will be examined. Galaxies passing through the medium and convective instabilities stir the plasma and create turbulence. I will discuss the practicality of simulations of these plasmas.