Abstract.
Over the course of roughly a decade, from the late 1950s
through the early
1960s, Chandraskhar made fundamental contributions to basic plasma
physics, and
the effect of magnetic fields on the dynamics of astrophysical plasmas.
This paper
reviews recent progress and outstanding problems in astrophysical
magnetohydrodynamics,
the application of MHD to astrophysical systems, with particular
emphasis on
the role of Chandra's early contributions to the field. Specific topics
discussed include
magnetic field amplification by dynamo processes inside stars, the
magnetorotational
instability and angular momentum transport in accretion disks, MHD
turbulence in the
interstellar medium of galaxies, and kinetic MHD effects in weakly
collisional plasmas.
Chandra's contributions in all of these areas endure.
Keywords : MHD - turbulence - accretion disks