Numerical studies of singularities and black holes

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This project is on the process of gravitational collapse of an object to form a black hole. In particular, the project is concerned with what happens in the regions of extremely strong gravity inside the black hole. The method used in the project is numerical simulation: computer programs that simulate the equations of general relativity that describe gravitational collapse and black hole formation. In particular, I will try to find out the detailed behavior of the extremely strong gravitational field. I will also try to see whether the collapse can be followed by a re-expansion, and if so whether a process of this sort can account for the big bang explosion in which our universe started. This work concerns a fundamental physical question and thus has intrinsic broad intellectual interest. I have written a book on black holes and dark matter for a general audience and have tried in that book to express the excitement inherent in research on these topics. In addition, the computer methods developed for gravitational problems can have a broader application in other areas of science.