The Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics of Self-gravitating Systems

Abstract

The partition function and one- and two-particle distribution functions are calculated fora spherically symmetric self-gravitating system using a method which is exact except for terms of relative order N -1. The results are in agreement with those found in the continuum approximation. First approximations to the correction terms are evaluated with particular emphasis on the form of the pair distribution as compared with the product of two one-particle distributions.