Abstract. The Einstein--Maxwell field equations for orthogonal Bianchi VI cosmologies with a -law perfect fluid and a pure, homogeneous source-free magnetic field are written as an autonomous differential equation in terms of expansion-normalized variables. The associated dynamical system is studied in order to determine the past, intermediate and future evolution of these models. All asymptotic states of the models, and the likelihood that they will occur, are described. In addition, it is shown that there is a finite probability that an arbitrarily selected model will be close to isotropy during some time interval in its evolution.

PACS numbers: 0420H, 0440N, 9880H

Print publication: Issue 2 (February 1995)
Received 22 August 1994, in final form 24 November 1994