SPATIALLY SELF-SIMILAR LOCALLY ROTATIONALLY SYMMETRICAL PERFECT FLUIDMODELS

Einstein's field equations for spatially self-similar locally rotation ally symmetric perfect fluid models are investigated. The field equati ons are rewritten as a first-order system of autonomous ordinary diffe rential equations. Dimensionless variables are chosen in such a way th at the number of equations in the coupled system of differential equat ions is reduced as far as possible. The system is subsequently analyse d qualitatively for some of the models. The nature of the singularitie s occurring in the models is discussed.