Supercomputing in astrophysics

Computer simulation has had an important role to play in the understanding of how astronomical objects tick from the very outset of scientific computi ng, making important contributions to our knowledge of galaxy and stellar e volution, as well as the solar system. Recently advances in the power of co mputers and the advent of new and more powerful techniques has allowed comp utational astrophysics to perform increasingly more realistic simulations o f the formation and evolution of astronomical objects. Among these are simu lations of cosmological large scale structure, galaxy formation, star forma tion, MHD calculations of stellar atmospheres and the terrestrial magnetic field, cometary collision with Jupiter, and acceleration of cosmic rays. Th is review will describe examples of these developments, outlining the new t echniques and facilities that have lead to them.