Motivation and topics (8 Dec 2004)

Physics and astrophysics of neutron stars are very rapidly developing fields. Discoveries in the last few years are numerous. Let us just mention the X-ray superbusts which can last some half a day, a relativistic binary containing two radio pulsars, millisecond pulsars which are X-ray bursters, or the youngest known neutron star in 3C58. Gravitational-wave detectors based on laser interferometry, built by the VIRGO and LIGO consortia, are approaching the point of starting observations. All this presents the challenge to the theorists, who are expected not only explain known phenomena, but also predict those still undetected, and can give us precious information on the internal structure of neutron stars. Rapidly developing field necessitates frequent and efficient exchange of expertise between researchers. The topics discussed during the workshop will include neutron star pulsations, rotation, interplay of rotation and pulsations, pulsational instabilities and their damping. Important topic to be discussed is the impact of the equation of state of dense matter on neutron star dynamics. Several talks will present the modeling of the neutron-star - neutron-star binaries at the inspiral stage, and the gravitational-wave signal emitted at that stage. Some talks will be devoted to presentation of numerical modeling of these systems which are considered to be promising sources of gravitational radiation. The macroscopic and microscopic aspects of transport phenomena in neutron star interiors will also be discussed.