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Astronomy/astrophysical fluid dynamics

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Expert: - 8/18/2009


Question
Dear sir,
Pls give me a brief explanation about the astrophysical fluid dynamics.
Nalaka

Answer
Hello,

Very basically, astrophysical fluid dynamics entails the application of the principles of fluid dynamics (or hydro-dynamics) to plasma physics. Both are immensely vast areas, with many many sub-areas, so you can imagine how immense the subject of astrophysical fluid dynamics would be. Probably most applications if not all would be in what we refer to as the "collisional" regime as opposed to "collisionless".

In specific solar cases, for example, we can link the hydrodynamics of solar plasma to magnetic conditions - say around giant sunspots, and end up with the sub-discipline of magneto-hydrodynamics, also known as "MHD".

This is a very large and complex subject area, and so a very brief explanation is about all that can be given in the absence of the question embodying specifics, or specific aspects or singling out definite astrophysical objects, processes.

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Philip Stahl

Expertise

I have forty years of experience in Astronomy, specifically solar and space physics. My specialties include the physics of solar flares, sunspots, including their effects on Earth and statistics as applied to astronomical investigations.

Experience

Astronomy: more than forty years experience starting with construction of my own simple telescopes. Worked at university observatory in college, doing astrographic measurements. M.Phil. degree in Physics/Solar Physics and more than ten years as researcher.

Organizations
American Astronomical Society (Solar Physics and Dynamical Astronomy divisions), American Mathematical Society, American Geophysical Union

Publications
Solar Physics (journal), The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, The Proceedings of the Meudon Solar Flare Workshop (1986), The Proceedings of the Caribbean Physics Conference (1985). Books: 'Selected Analyses in Solar Flare Plasma Dynamics', 'Physics Notes for Advanced Level'.

Education/Credentials
B.A. Astronomy, M. Phil. Physics

Awards and Honors
American Astronomical Society Studentship Award (1984), Barbados Government Award for Solar Research

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