9315455 Phinney Several related studies in theoretical astrophysics will be conducted. One concerns interactions between members of binary star systems which are caused by the fact that stars are neither static nor elastic. Mass transfer between an ordinary star and its black hole or neutron star companion will be modeled to account for observations of x-ray binaries and planets orbiting pulsars. A broad research program will be undertaken which is aimed at understanding how stars may form in the densest nuclei of galaxies and what these stars tell us about star formation. ***
