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 computing, making important contributions to our knowledge of galaxy and stellar evolution, as well as the solar system. Recently advances in the power of computers and the advent of new and more powerful techniques has allowed computational astrophysics to perform increasingly more realistic simulations of the formation and evolution of astronomical objects. Among these are simulations of cosmological large scale structure, galaxy formation, star formation, MHD calculations of stellar atmospheres and the terrestrial magnetic field, cometary collision with Jupiter, and acceleration of cosmic rays. This review will describe examples of these developments, outlining the new techniques and facilities that have lead to them.