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Computational Challenges in Black Hole Astrophysics
Title Computational Challenges in Black Hole Astrophysics
Abstract
Recent astronomical imaging of a black hole has focused attention on problems related to the production of observable radiation from plasma flow close to a black hole. Here I will describe the most commonly used computational scheme for integration of general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) models for the plasma, highlighting successes, future directions, and limitations. The limitations motivate the development of a new, parameterized statistical model that can be matched to GRMHD evolution for particular values of the parameters, and can be used to easily generate synthetic data for all values of the parameters.
This opens the door to novel observational tests of GRMHD models. Our statistical model is expected to find applications in simulating turbulent flows near black holes and elsewhere in astrophysics.
Charles Gammie is a Professor of Physics and of Astronomy at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is interested in theoretical and computational astrophysics and especially in problems related to black hole accretion, planet formation, star formation, interstellar turbulence, and the outcome of planetary-scale collisions.