Magnetized Massive to Supermassive Stars

ARC Seminar: 29 October 2021 by Professor Yu-Qing Lou from Tsinghua University of China.

Abstract:
In the framework of general relativity (GR), we investigate magnetized massive to supermassive stars in quasi-spherical equilibrium and determine their radial pulsational GR magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) stability/instability properties. In our magnetized stellar model, a random transverse magnetic field is presumed and a key relation for magnetic flux conservation is stipulated. We identify distinct features and pertinent physical effects for magnetized and non-magnetic stars. In particular, GR MHD collapses of magnetized massive stars can give rise to black holes (BHs) in a very broad mass range and can certainly avoid the electron-positron pair instabilities to form BHs in the so-called "forbbiden zone of BH masses". This closely relates to the recent gravitational wave inferences of LIGO/Virgo experiments on binary BH masses. We also mention the dynamic or MHD formation of supermassive BHs and hypermassive BHs.

The Astrophysics Research Centre (ARC) is part of the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). We strive to be a world-class centre of excellence for research and postgraduate training in astrophysics and related data-intensive science.

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