Gravitational Interaction of Compact Objects
Coordinators: Matthew Choptuik, Eanna E. Flanagan, Luis Lehner
The purpose of this workshop is to foster discussion and collaboration among researchers interested in the gravitational interaction of compact objects. Intensive efforts are underway to numerically simulate the collision and coalescence of
compact objects in general relativity. Key goals include detailed prediction of the gravitational waves produced by such events, as well as the advancement of techniques for general numerical solutions of Einstein\'s equations. Recently, several
simulations of binary black hole or neutron-star interactions which last for moderate lengths of time have been completed. Specific scenarios which have been modeled include "grazing" collision of black holes, head-on collisions of neutron
stars, and neutron stars in corotation. However, in order to perform astrophysically relevant calculations, many key problems must still be solved. These include the determination of plausible initial data sets, formulation of appropriate
coordinate conditions, stabilization of the simulations, and extraction of gravitational-wave information in a form suitable for data analysis. The workshop will promote further interaction with mathematically oriented relativists, theoretical
astrophysicists and data analysts which will be of great help in resolving these and other difficulties. Additionally, the program will also involve theorists with close ties to LIGO and the other gravitational wave detection efforts, and numerical
analysts interested in large-scale numerical relativity.