An Isaac Newton Institute Workshop

Supported by the European Commission, Sixth Framework Programme - Marie Curie Conferences and Training Courses - MSCF-CT-2003-503674 <br><br> Large-Scale Computation in Astrophysics

Modelling relativistic magnetically dominated plasmas

13th October 2004

Author: Komissarov SS (University of Leeds)

Abstract

Many phenomena of relativistic astrophysics involve flows of magnetically dominated plasma which are somewhat difficult for analytical and numerical modelling. In this talk we describe three closly related mathematical frameworks used in recent studies of black hole magnetospheres, namely resistive electrodynamics, magnetodynamics, and magnetohydrodynamics, focusing on their advantages and limitations. Particular attention is paid to numerical aspects revealed in recent simulations.