Theoretical Astrophysics

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Dr. Blandford is one of the nations leading theoretical astro- physicists, and has been granted support in a project for theo- retical investigations of three areas: cosmology, neutron stars, and stellar outflows. The cosmological study will utilize the multiple images of distant quasars and galaxies formed by the gravitational lens effects of intervening galaxies and clusters of galaxies as probes of the size and matter content of the universe. The neutron star investigations will explore the possibility that gamma-ray bursters are caused by an instability or nuclear explosion deep below the surface of a neutron star. Protostars, cataclysmic variables and X-ray binaries occasionally exhibit evidence for collimated outflow which may be driven hydromagnetically. This possibility will be examined in detail, with particular emphasis on determining the observational signa- tures peculiar to these different environments.