Task Group: Numerical

These students were charged with running two-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations of the competing theoretical models. In order to do this, however, they first had to learn how to operate the hydrodynamics code, VH-1. The students were given instructions on how to download the code off the WWW, along with a brief introduction to fluid dynamics. By running the pre-coded test problems that are included with the public version of VH-1, the students were able to learn enough about the code to apply it to their research problem. With some guidance, the students modified the code to simulate a periodic axisymmetric jet and a wobbling slab jet (true precession would require 3D). The early numerical work was run on the local network of UNIX workstations at NCSU, although one enterprising student ran several simulations on his own PC (albeit a 75MHz Pentium). The final simulations used very long (the longest grids reported in published astrophysics research?) grids, and for this the students were given access to a Cray YMP at the North Carolina Supercomputing Center.


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