Astrophysics & Particle Physics-APPC 2026

Astrophysical Magnetic Fields permeate the universe and are important for controlling the dynamics of stars, galaxies, interstellar and intergalactic mediums, and compact objects. They are the essence of plasma behavior, star formation, the propagation of cosmic rays, and galaxy evolution, and hence the study of magnetic fields is the essence of astrophysics. They force sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections in the case of stars and stellar activity and space weather. On a larger scale, galactic magnetic fields control the trajectories of charged particles in the interstellar medium, shape spiral galaxies, and play a role in the dynamics of the cosmic web.

Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) offers the theoretical basis to investigate interactions between magnetic fields and conductive fluids or plasmas in these astrophysical contexts.Lower key processes in astrophysical magnetic fields involve magnetic reconnection, which distributes energy in stellar flares and accretion disks, and cosmic dynamos, processes that produce and maintain -scale magnetic fields in stars and galaxies. Magnetic turbulence, flux transport, and cosmic plasma interactions also impact astrophysical phenomena, ranging from star and planet formation to compact object high-energy events.Observational methods, including polarimetry, Zeeman splitting, and Faraday rotation, assist astronomers in measuring magnetic field strength and structure in various cosmic environments. Space missions, radio telescopes, and high-resolution images help in charting magnetic fields and determining their influence on galaxy evolution, star formation, and interstellar processes.Appreciation of astrophysical magnetic fields is vital in order to account for a broad spectrum of phenomena such as stellar activity cycles, cosmic ray acceleration, black hole jet formation, and the dynamics of magnetized plasma in space.

Through the interplay of observation, theory, and simulations, scientists can identify the origins, structure, and evolution of magnetic fields throughout the universe.Astrophysical magnetic fields are thus a primary force behind cosmic dynamics, creating the universe from individual stars to entire galaxies, and offering vital insights into the interplay between matter, energy, and forces that rule the cosmos.