Descriptions of Fluids and Plasmas

Abstract

Not long ago, one could say that 99% of the known universe is plasma. The recent discovery of dark matter and dark energy imply that this may no longer be true, but it will remain the case that 99% of the readily observed universe is plasma. The interstellar medium, stars, and more exotic compact objects are all composed of or surrounded by ionized matter. Without understanding something about plasmas, one cannot hope to understand the universe.