Princeton University Gravity Initiative Seminar Series

Abstract: In astrophysical fluid dynamics, stars are considered as isolated fluid masses subject to self-gravity. A classical model of a self-gravitating Newtonian star is given by the gravitational Euler- Poisson system, while a relativistic star is modeled by the Einstein-Euler system. In the talk, I will review some recent progress on the local and global dynamics of Newtonian star solutions, and discuss mathematical construction of self-similar gravitational collapse of Newtonian stars including Larson-Penston solution for the isothermal stars, Yahil solution for polytropic stars, which show the existence of smooth initial data that lead to finite time collapse, characterized by the blow-up of the star density. If time permits, I will also discuss the relativistic analogue of Larson-Penston solutions and formation of naked singularities for the Einstein-Euler system.