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A 4-point graduate (kandidat-) course in Numerical Astrophysics:
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The steady growth of computer capacity is opening up new
possibilities for studying astrophysical phenomena. Even moderate size
departmental computers are now powerful enough to allow qualitative numerical
modeling of turbulent, three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics, and larger
supercomputers allow even more detailed and realistic scenarios to be
investigated.
This course will introduce and discuss the turbulent dynamics
that characterize many astrophysical systems. Examples will be drawn mainly
from two topical areas:
- Interstellar Medium Turbulence and Star Formation, and
- Accretion Discs and Jets, with applications to
Gamma Ray Bursts
In both these areas there has been dramatic
recent progress in our understanding as a result of numerical modeling. Further
rapid development is to be expected, for example with respect to a detailed
understanding of the star formation process, and with respect to the dynamics
of jets originating from young stellar objects and from accretion onto black
holes.
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