Plasma Astrophysics
The branch of astrophysics applying plasma physics and magnetohydrodynamics to model cosmic phenomena throughout the universe.
Governing formula
B² / (2 μ₀) ~ ρ v² ~ P_thermal (Cosmic Equipartition)
SI unit
Cosmic Plasma Physics
In depth
Over 99% of visible matter in the universe exists in the plasma state. Plasma astrophysics studies solar corona heating, stellar wind acceleration, accretion disk jets, interstellar shocks, and cosmic ray acceleration.
Examples in the real world
Relativistic plasma jets launched by supermassive black hole accretion disks in active galaxies.