Numerical studies of collisional and collisionless magnetized plasmas in Astrophysics

• Grant number: 09/10102-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2009
• End date: September 30, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Astronomy - Extragalactic Astrophysics
• Principal Investigator: Diego Antonio Falceta Gonçalves
• Grantee: Diego Antonio Falceta Gonçalves
• Host Institution: Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades (EACH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The scientific method is based on the confrontation of theorical and experimental results. In Astrophysics, theoretical predictions are compared to observations, which are limited by restrictive conditions. In many cases, theoretical models help observers indicating the best way for observing a given object. In order to fulfill this task, numerical simulations have been the most important tool for the prediction of observables in complex systems, when analytical approach is impossible. As an example, we may cite the turbulence in the interstellar medium. For this case, numerical simulations represent the only opportunity of experience a three dimensional visualization of a process observed in 2-D (as column density maps, or line profiles). Unfortunately, Brazil still lacks of computing centers for advanced modeling. In this project, I focus on the implementation of computing resources dedicated to the numerical modeling of astrophysical problems. I plan to develop and apply a number of models, and new software for analysis, to different processes in order to understand processes in the Universe, such as stellar formation, stellar winds, shocks in massive binary systems, turbulence and magnetic reconnection in the interstellar medium. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FALCETA-GONCALVES, D.; LAZARIAN, A.; HOUDE, M.. DAMPING OF MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC TURBULENCE IN PARTIALLY IONIZED GAS AND THE OBSERVED DIFFERENCE OF VELOCITIES OF NEUTRALS AND IONS. ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL, v. 713, n. 2, p. 1376-1385, APR 20 2010. (09/10102-0)

MONTEIRO, HEKTOR; FALCETA-GONCALVES, DIEGO. THREE-DIMENSIONAL PHOTOIONIZATION STRUCTURE AND DISTANCES OF PLANETARY NEBULAE. IV. NGC 40. ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL, v. 738, n. 2, SEP 10 2011. (09/10102-0)

FALCETA-GONCALVES, D.; LAZARIAN, A.. EVOLUTION AND LIFETIME OF TRANSIENT CLUMPS IN THE TURBULENT INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM. ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL, v. 735, n. 2, JUL 10 2011. (09/10102-0)

FALCETA-GONCALVES, D.; CAPRONI, A.; ABRAHAM, Z.; TEIXEIRA, D. M.; DE GOUVEIA DAL PINO, E. M.. PRECESSING JETS AND X-RAY BUBBLES FROM NGC 1275 (3C 84) IN THE PERSEUS GALAXY CLUSTER: A VIEW FROM THREE-DIMENSIONAL NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS. Astrophysical Journal Letters, v. 713, n. 1, p. L74-L78, APR 10 2010. (09/10102-0)