Magnetic reconnection and transient phenomena in accretion driven systems

In this presentation I review some aspects of magnetohydrodynamics in astrophysical environments that can give rise to transient thermal and non-thermal emission. I focus specifically on the magnetic transport and reconnection in accretion driven systems, especially the role it may play in the production of transient multi-wavelength emission in these systems. The discussion related to magnetic reconnection starts with a brief historical overview, after which some of the latest results are discussed. It is shown that magnetic reconnection can indeed be a serious contender for the driving mechanism behind the transient burst-like emission in many accretion driven environments, from galactic to extra-galactic sources.