The importance of connecting astrophysical theory, observations, simulations and laboratory astrophysics is nowadays widely appreciated by the scientific community. IAU Symposium 274 discusses recent observational, theoretical and experimental efforts in understanding the basic plasma processes in the Universe at all scales, from the primordial plasmas of the early Universe to stellar and laboratory plasmas. Experts from different fields examine topics including: the origin and dynamics of magnetic fields in astrophysical systems (the dynamo problem); the origin of x-ray emitting coronas and the role of magnetic reconnection; the acceleration of charged particles; winds and jets from highly-evolved stars and supernova remnants; plasma radiation processes; turbulence of the magnetized plasma in astrophysical objects and in the ISM, IGM and the solar wind; quantum plasmas under extreme conditions in planetary interiors and in exotic stars; and many other key problems in modern plasma astrophysics.

Perseus is an outstanding case in which to study the physics of relativistic plasma and thermal gas, and the interplay between galactic nuclei and galaxy clusters. Ground and space observatories have recently provided some ground-breaking insights into the Perseus system, from a detailed image of a jet launched in the vicinity of a supermassive black hole, through VLBI, to an unexpected degree of turbulence in the cluster core, constrained by high energy resolution in x-rays. While preparing for the next generation observatories that will allow readers to address these questions in other systems, this volume provides some first steps in exploring topics relating to particle acceleration, energy transport between large and small scales and the role of magnetic fields in the launch of relativistic jets. Chapters deal with the latest results covering theory, observations, and numerical simulations, spanning a wide range in physical scales and energy ranges.