High-Energy Astrophysics in the 2020s and Beyond

TL;DR

The paper emphasizes the vital role of high-energy astrophysics in addressing key cosmic questions and highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and strategic planning for future advancements.

Contribution

It advocates for integrated efforts across physics and astronomy to unlock new insights in high-energy astrophysics and related fields.

Findings

High-energy processes are central to understanding galaxy formation and evolution.

Connections between astrophysicists and plasma physicists are expanding.

Addressing challenges requires coordinated planning and support for scientists.

Abstract

With each passing decade, we gain new appreciation for the dynamic, connected, and often violent nature of the Universe. This reality necessarily places the study of high-energy processes at the very heart of modern astrophysics. This White Paper illustrates the central role of high-energy astrophysics to some of the most pressing astrophysical problems of our time, the formation/evolution of galaxies, the origin of the heavy elements, star and planet formation, the emergence of life on exoplanets, and the search for new physics. We also highlight the new connections that are growing between astrophysicists and plasma physicists. We end with a discussion of the challenges that must be addressed to realize the potential of these connections, including the need for integrated planning across physics and astronomy programs in multiple agencies, and the need to foster the creativity and career aspirations of individual scientists in this era of large projects.