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Computational astrophysics refers to the methods and computing tools developed and used in astrophysics research. Like computational chemistry or computational physics, it is both a specific branch of theoretical astrophysics and an interdisciplinary field relying on computer science, mathematics, and wider physics. Computational astrophysics is most often studied through an applied mathematics or astrophysics programme at PhD level. Well-established areas of astrophysics employing computational methods include magnetohydrodynamics, astrophysical radiative transfer, stellar and (galactic dynamics ), and astrophysical fluid dynamics. A recently developed field with interesting results is numerical relativity. ==Research== Many astrophysicists use computers in their work, and a growing number of astrophysics departments now have research groups specially devoted to computational astrophysics. Important research initiatives include the US Department of Energy (DoE) SciDAC collaboration for astrophysics〔("SciDAC Astrophysics Consortium" ). Accessed 8 Mar 2012.''〕 and the now defunct European AstroSim collaboration.〔(AstroSim.net ). Accessed 8 Mar 2012.〕 A notable active project is the international Virgo Consortium, which focuses on cosmology. In August 2015 during the general assembly of the International Astronomical Union a new (commission C.B1 on Computational Astrophysics ) has been inaugurated, therewith recognizing the importance of astronomical discovery by computing. Important techniques of computational astrophysics include particle-in-cell (PIC) and the closely related particle-mesh (PM), N-body simulations, Monte Carlo methods, as well as grid- free (with smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) being an important example) and grid-based methods for fluids. In addition, methods from numerical analysis for solving ODEs and PDEs are also used. Simulation of astrophysical flows is of particular importance as many objects and processes of astronomical interest such as stars and nebulae involve gases. Fluid computer models are often coupled with radiative transfer, (Newtonian) gravity, nuclear physics and (general) relativity to study highly energetic phenomena such as supernovae, relativistic jets, active galaxies and gamma-ray bursts〔(Breakthrough study confirms cause of short gamma-ray bursts ). Astronomy (magazine).com website, April 8, 2011. Retrieved 20 Nov 2012.〕 and are also used to model stellar structure, planetary formation, evolution of stars and of galaxies, and exotic objects such as neutron stars, pulsars, magnetars and black holes.〔For example, see the article (Cosmic Vibrations from Neutron Stars ). Retrieved 21 Mar 2012.〕 Computer simulations are often the only means to study stellar collisions, galaxy mergers, as well as galactic and black hole interactions.〔(GALMER: GALaxy MERgers in the Virtual Observatory ) : News release. Retrieved 20 Mar 2012. (Project Home page ). Retrieved 20 Mar 2012.〕〔(NASA Achieves Breakthrough In Black Hole Simulation ) ; dated 18 Apr 2006. Recovered 18 Mar 2012.〕 In recent years the field has made increasing use of parallel and high performance computers.〔Lucio Mayer. Foreword: Advanced Science Letters (ASL), Special Issue on Computational Astrophysics.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「computational astrophysics」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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