Research in Black-Hole Physics and Relativistic Astrophysics

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Prof. Teukolsky's group is investigating gravitational collapse and the formation of black holes by solving Einstein's equations on a supercomputer. They will determine how much gravitational radiation is emitted during such events. Some situations they will study include collisions of star clusters and of black holes, and gravitational collapse of unstable star clusters. They are also investigating the coalescence of two neutron stars in binary orbit about each other, and are studying the properties of rapidly rotating stars in general relativity, and how information about the nuclear equation of state might be discovered from astrophysical observations. They are exploring the formation of black holes in supernova explosions, which are usually thought to produce neutron stars and not black holes. Finally, they are analyzing the recently discovered planetary system around a pulsar to provide an absolute confirmation that the system does in fact contain planets. This work will be important to elucidate possible astronomical observations which can provide critical tests of Einstein's theory of gravitation.