Acceleration mechanisms 1: shock acceleration

Acceleration by shock waves is one of the favorite models envisaged to explain the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays. This view was developed in the framework of various astrophysical acceleration sites: hot spots of radio galaxies, clusters of galaxies, jets powered by supermassive black holes, gamma ray burst blast waves, etc. These mechanisms along with their limitations and specific signatures for each type are reviewed. To cite this article: M. Ostrowski, C. R. Physique 5 (2004).