On the self-similar motion of a gravitating Chaplygin fluid

A self-similar motion of the generalized Chaplygin gas in its own gravitational field is considered. The problem is studied numerically and analytically (in the limiting cases). It is shown that the model under consideration admits only expanding solutions. As the astrophysical application of the model. a description of rotating curves of spiral galaxies is suggested by using the analytical solutions obtained in the Letter. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.