Chandrasekhar's variational principle

Chandrasekhar's variational principle is a method used in stellar astrophysics to estimate the properties of stellar structures, particularly in the context of equilibrium configurations of self-gravitating systems. Named after the renowned astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, the principle provides a framework for assessing the stability and equilibrium of stars, including white dwarfs and other stellar objects. The essence of Chandrasekhar's variational principle lies in the mathematical formulation of the problem.