05/15/02
ZAHN Jean-Paul Observatoire de Paris
5 place J. Janssen SF2A- PNPS-
92195 Meudon, France
Presentation 1 : None
Shear Instabilities in Differential Rotation (PNPS)
Denis RICHARD & Jean-Paul ZAHN
Most astrophysical obsjects are in differential rotation, and are therefore liable to shear instabilities. To better understand these instabilities, a laboratory experiment has been performed in collaboration with the Groupe Instabilites et Turbulence of CEA/Saclay. It is a classical Couette-Taylor experiment, with fluid sheared between two cylinders rotating at different speed. Its results will be reported, which may be applied to the structure of stars and accretion discs.