Theory and Simulation of Turbulence via Computer

Colloquium

Theory and Simulation of Turbulence via Computer

W. David Arnett

Regents' Professor Emeritus of Astronomy

The University of Arizona

         
Stars are composed of fluid (high energy-density plasma) which is often highly turbulent. To reliably evolve model stars from birth to death, as supernovae, neutron stars,  and black holes, requires that we understand the behavior of such a fluid far better than we do. Fortunately modern high performance computers allow us to  begin to attack this formidable nonlinear problem (which may be even harder than climate prediction?). Case studies of the interplay between theory, numerics, and astrophysics lore will be presented to illustrate the current state of development.