Astron. Astrophys. 343, 1030-1038 (1999)

Relativistic moment equations in media with strong velocity gradients

C.P. Dullemond

Leiden Observatory, P.O. Box 9513, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands

Received 6 June 1998 / Accepted 19 October 1998

Abstract

The one-dimensional stationary PSTF moment equations for radiative transfer in relativistically differentially moving media are examined. It is found that the equations can have two different types of critical points. In regions of strong velocity gradients, solutions might have pathological behavior around such critical points. The moment method may therefore yield unphysical solutions for the radiation field in such flows.

Key words: hydrodynamics relativity radiative transfer shock waves

This article contains no SIMBAD objects.

Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. The relativistic transfer equation
• 3. Moment expansion
• 4. Matrix form of the equations
• 5. Stationary solutions of the moment equations
  • 5.1. Eigenvector decomposition
• 6. Boundary conditions
• 7. Critical points
• 8. The nature of the critical points
  • 8.1. Diverging critical points
  • 8.2. Converging critical points
  • 8.3. Converging critical points for scattering media
  • 8.4. Non-trivial closure
• 9. Interpretation
• 10. Conclusion
• Acknowledgements
• Appendices
  • A: notation and conventions
• References

© European Southern Observatory (ESO) 1999

Online publication: March 1, 1999
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