We use the dynamical systems approach to investigate the Bianchi type VIII
models with a tilted γ-law perfect fluid. We introduce
expansion-normalised variables and investigate the late-time asymptotic
behaviour of the models and determine the late-time asymptotic states. For the
Bianchi type VIII models the state space is unbounded and consequently, for all
non-inflationary perfect fluids, one of the curvature variables grows without
bound. Moreover, we show that for fluids stiffer than dust (1<γ<2), the
fluid will in general tend towards a state of extreme tilt. For dust
(γ=1), or for fluids less stiff than dust (0<γ<1), we show that
the fluid will in the future be asymptotically non-tilted. Furthermore, we show
that for all γ≥1 the universe evolves towards a vacuum state but
does so rather slowly, ρ/H2∝1/lnt.Comment: 19 pages, 3 ps figures, v2:typos fixed, refs and more discussion
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