Numerical Methods in Astrophysics: An Introduction

In this "SpringerBrief" the author considers the underlying problems and questions that are common to numerical models of turbulence in different astrophysical systems.

This volume contains the lecture notes of the Third JETSET School on Jets from Young Stars focussing on Numerical MHD and Instabilities. The introductory lectures presented here cover the basic concepts of the numerical methods for the integration of hydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic equations and of the applications of these methods to the treatment of the instabilities relevant for the physics of stellar jets.

The relatively recent increase in computational power available for mathematical modeling and simulation raises the possibility that modern numerical methods can play a significant role in the analysis of complex particulate flows. This introductory monograph focuses on basic models and physically based computational solution strategies for the direct and rapid simulation of flowing particulate media. Its emphasis is primarily on fluidized dry particulate flows in which there is no significant interstitial fluid, although fully coupled fluid-particle systems are discussed as well. An introduction to basic computational methods for ascertaining optical responses of particulate systems also is included.