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Title: 8th Korean Astrophysics Workshop on
       Astrophysics of High-Beta Plasma in the Universe
When:  10 -- 13 November, 2014
Where: ShineVille Resort, Jeju Island, Korea
Homepage: http://sirius.unist.ac.kr/kaw8/
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Scientific Rationale
- Most of the baryonic matter in the universe is in the form of hot,
  collisionless, high-beta plasma. Two such important environments,
  their similarities and differences provide the motivation for this
  workshop; the intracluster media of galaxy clusters (ICMs) and the
  interplanetary medium (IPM). The first is vast, but remote; the
  second is the only high beta plasma directly accessible to in situ
  measurements.
- ICMs have been recognized over the past two decades as not only the
  dominant baryonic component of galaxy clusters, but also vital
  elements in their formation and evolution, the formation and
  evolution of the individual galaxies, as well as essential cluster
  diagnostic tools. The ICMs are highly dynamic, penetrated by shocks
  and other discontinuities and apparently turbulent.
- ICMs may also provide a unique, if remote, laboratory for basic
  plasma physics. Yet, important microphysical processes in the ICM,
  such as those controlling dissipation, conduction, turbulence,
  magnetic field evolution and energetic particle acceleration, are
  poorly understood.
- The IPM is also a collisionless, moderately high beta plasma
  containing shocks, other discontinuities and turbulence. In these
  characteristics it is similar to the ICM and distinct from typical
  terrestrial laboratory plasmas. Because of its proximity to Earth
  and accessibility to in situ measurements, microphysical processes
  and dynamical states of the IPM are much better understood than
  those of the ICM. It may provide lessons relevant to the ICM.
- The plan for this workshop is to set up focused sessions through
  which we hope to understand key plasma physical properties of the
  ICM, as well as their roles, and to identify similarities and
  contrasts with other plasma environments, especially the IPM, and to
  extract valuable insights of common value to the broader community.
 
Topics to be covered
- Shock waves in the ICM and IPM
- Turbulence and magnetic fields in the ICM and IPM
- Magnetic reconnection in the IPM and ICM
- Particle acceleration, particle transport and diffusion in diffuse,
  magnetized media
- Radio, X-ray, and gamma-ray observations of the ICM and their
  interpretation

Scientific Organizing Committee
   Stuart D. Bale (UC Berkeley, USA)
   Gianfranco Brunetti (INAF Istituto di Radioastronomia, Italy)
   T. W. Jones (University of Minnesota, USA) (co-chair)
   Hyesung Kang (Pusan National University, Korea) (co-chair)
   Tetsu Kitayama (Toho University, Japan)
   Vahe Petrosian (Stanford University, USA)
   Larry Rudnick (University of Minnesota, USA)
   Dongsu Ryu (UNIST, Korea) (chair)

For further information or questions, please visit the workshop
homepage or contact ryu_at_sirius.unist.ac.kr