Imaginary- and real-time versions of an equation for the condensate density
are presented which describe dynamics and decay of any spherical Bose-Einstein
condensate (BEC) within the mean field appraoch. We obtain quantized energies
of collective finite amplitude radial oscillations and exact numerical
instanton solutions which describe quantum tunneling from both the metastable
and radially excited states of the BEC of 7Li atoms. The mass parameter for the
radial motion is found different from the gaussian value assumed hitherto, but
the effect of this difference on decay exponents is small. The collective
breathing states form slightly compressed harmonic spectrum, n=4 state lying
lower than the second Bogolyubov (small amplitude) mode. The decay of these
states, if excited, may simulate a shorter than true lifetime of the metastable
state. By scaling arguments, results extend to other attractive BEC-s.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure