This proposal focusses on fundamental computational research on different aspects of the energy generation by, and outflows from, black holes and protostars. It involves research by closely interacting groups involving the RSAA and external institutions: Bicknell, Kuncic (U. Syd) and Parkin; Bicknell and A.Y. Wagner (Tsukuba U., Japan); Bicknell and S.J. Wagner (U. Heidelberg); Salmeron and Wardle (Macquarie U.).
1. The production of thermal and radiative energy and jets through accretion processes onto central black holes. This involves the combined effects of turbulent magnetohydrodynamics and radiation.
2. The interaction of extragalactic jets with the interstellar medium, enabling us to understand how jets provide feedback to an evolving galaxy and influence its evolution.
3. The propagation of jets in the vicinity of black holes. This provides diagnostics, which are used to relate high energy observations of jets close to the central object to accretion processes.
4. The dynamical and thermal structure of protostellar discs:
These investigations will incorporate realistic microphysics, and the characterisation of magnetically inactive (dead) zones in these discs, which are prime locations for planet formation.
5. We shall compute the role of magnetic diffusion in the launching of jets from the surfaces of protostellar discs, the generation or suppression of disc turbulence, the transport of angular momentum away from accreting matter, and
the evolution of protostellar outflows as they accelerate away from the source to observable distances.
These projects all involve realistic simulations of complex physical processes in order to understand existing astronomical observations, to make testable predictions for future observations, and most importantly to understand the fundamental physics of energy and outflow generation.