Two of the most esoteric kinds of astrophysical objects in the Universe are the neutron star and the black hole. The Principal Investigator (PI) proposes to continue his studies for another three years of the fundamental physics of these objects and their influence on matter just outside them. During this grant period attention will be focussed on quantum field effects on the equations of state of fluids in these objects, black holes and gravitational collapse, and the structure of red supergiants having neutron stars in their cores. An important aspect of this proposal is the PI's training of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in this area. The PI is widely known for his instructional abilities which have provided a pool of scientists conversant in theoretical astrophysics, particle physics, and General Relativity for over twenty years.
