Gravitational instability of isothermal and polytropic spheres

We complete previous investigations on the thermodynamics of self-gravitating systems by studying the grand canonical, grand microcanonical and isobaric ensembles. We also discuss the stability of polytropic spheres in connexion with a generalized thermodynamical approach proposed by Tsallis. We det...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAstronomy and astrophysics (Berlin) Vol. 401; no. 1; pp. 15 - 42
Main Author Chavanis, P. H.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published EDP Sciences 01.04.2003
Subjects
gravitation
hydrodynamics
instabilities
stellar dynamics
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Summary:We complete previous investigations on the thermodynamics of self-gravitating systems by studying the grand canonical, grand microcanonical and isobaric ensembles. We also discuss the stability of polytropic spheres in connexion with a generalized thermodynamical approach proposed by Tsallis. We determine in each case the onset of gravitational instability by analytical methods and graphical constructions in the Milne plane. We also discuss the relation between dynamical and thermodynamical stability of stellar systems and gaseous spheres. Our study provides an aesthetic and simple approach to this otherwise complicated subject.
Bibliography:istex:70990B6FE906D6852DDF4A04C5B0E526E729837E
ark:/67375/80W-JH9LH6SJ-N
publisher-ID:aa2869
other:2003A%26A...401...15C
ISSN:0004-6361
1432-0746
DOI:10.1051/0004-6361:20021779