PECASE: Theory of Black Hole Accretion Flows

伽米博士将在理论和计算天体物理学方面开展一项研究计划，重点是建立黑洞周围等离子体流动的数值模型。黑洞吸积流中引力束缚能的释放被认为是为类星体和活动星系核提供能量，并在我们银河系中为黑洞X射线双星提供能量。伽米博士将与一名博士后研究员和学生一起，领导一项为广义相对论磁流体力学开发新代码的工作。这个代码将能够解决该领域中一些基本的悬而未决的问题，这些问题涉及如何发射喷气式飞机，以及在什么情况下可以从旋转的黑洞中提取能量。在教学方面，伽米博士将开发一个“数字演示室”来辅助天文学和物理教学。这个演示室提供的数值模型将集中在恒星演化、超新星、恒星形成和星系结构等主题上。演示室将围绕Web界面进行调整，使学生能够访问入门、中级或高级。演示室将由天文学、计算机科学、教育、平面设计和物理专业的本科生参与开发。

Dr. Gammie will carry out a research program in theoretical and computational astrophysics that focuses on building numerical models of plasmas flows around black holes. The release of gravitational binding energy in black hole accretion flows is thought to power quasars and active galactic nuclei, and, in our own galaxy, the black hole X-ray binaries. Dr. Gammie will lead an effort to develop a new code for general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics, together with a postdoctoral researcher and students. This code will be able to address some of the fundamental unsolved problems in the field, related to how jets are launched and under what circumstances energy may be extracted from a rotating black hole. In teaching, Dr. Gammie will develop a 'digital demo room' to aid in astronomy and physics instruction. The numerical models available in this demo room will focus on topics in stellar evolution, supernovae, star formation and galactic structure. The demo room will be based around a web interface, which will be tuned to give students access at introductory, intermediate, or advanced levels. The demo room will be developed with the participation of undergraduate students in astronomy, computer science, education, graphic design and physics.