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Abstract

Progress of modern astrophysics requires the access to the electromagnetic spectrum in the broadest energy range. The Ultraviolet is a fundamental energy domain since it is one of the most powerful tool to study plasmas at temperatures in the 3,000–300,000 K range as well as electronic transitions of the most abundant molecules in the Universe. Moreover, the UV radiation field is a powerful astrochemical and photoionizing agent.

The objective of this reviewis to describe the crucial issues that require access to the UV range. A summary has been added to the end with a more classic view of UV needs by astronomical object type; this approach is followed at length in the rest of the contributions of this issue.

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Ana I. Gómez de Castro Willem Wamsteker

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Gómez de Castro, A.I. et al. (2006). Fundamental Problems in Astrophysics. In: Gómez de Castro, A.I., Wamsteker, W. (eds) Fundamental Questions in Astrophysics: Guidelines for Future UV Observatories. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4839-5_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4839-5_9

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