Covariant analysis of Newtonian multi-fluid models for neutron stars: I Milne-Cartan structure and variational formulation

This is the first of a series of articles showing how 4 dimensionally covariant analytical procedures developed in the context of General Relativity can be usefully adapted for application in a purely Newtonian framework where they provide physical insights (e.g. concerning helicity currents) that are not so easy to obtain by the traditional approach based on a 3+1 space time decomposition. After an introductory presentation of the relevant Milne spacetime structure and the associated Cartan connection, the essential principles are illustrated by application to the variational formulation of simple barotropic perfect fluid models. This variational treatment is then extended to conservative multiconstituent self gravitating fluid models of the more general kind that is needed for treating the effects of superfluidity in neutron stars.