Gravitation, Cosmology, and Cosmic-Ray Physics

Gravitation, cosmology, and cosmic-ray physics are often regarded as subfields of astrophysics, as well as physics, because they are practiced by using physical techniques in an astronomical setting. However, this report makes no pretense of surveying all of astrophysics; that enormous task was excellently done by the Astronomy Survey Committee (George B. Field, chairman). Their report, Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 1980's (National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1982), has been widely circulated, and its recommendations are currently being considered and implemented. We have restricted our review to the above-named three areas of physics and astrophysics currently of particular interest to physicists....