Latest Progress in Numerical Relativity

Abstract

Einstein's equations are nonlinear, partial differential, and simultaneous. It is impossible to derive an analytic solution which describes a dynamical phemomemon in nature. However, it has been required to develop a method for the solutions to clarify general relativistic astrophysical phenomena which can be observed by large telescopes and detectors. The field which develops methods for numerically solving Einstein's equations is referred to as "Numerical relativity." In this article, I first explain the reason that the numerical relativity is needed and its outline. Then, the latest progress is reviewed focusing particularly on the results obtained in 2005.