Penetration of the molecular-weight barrier.
Abstract
The penetration of meridional currents from the radiative envelope of a rotating star into a core with a molecular-weight barrier (mu-barrier) is investigated using a plane-parallel model constrained by numerous simplifying assumptions. The circulation time in the presence of mu-gradients is calculated along with the penetration depth of the motions into the region with stabilizing mu-gradients, and the response of the core is analyzed. The results suggest that a mu-barrier can be penetrated and that allowance must be made for some rotational mixing. A scheme is developed for including the effects of such mixing in calculations of stellar evolution.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- April 1977
- DOI:
- 10.1086/155140
- Bibcode:
- 1977ApJ...213..157H
- Keywords:
-
- Boundary Layers;
- Molecular Weight;
- Stellar Envelopes;
- Stellar Evolution;
- Stellar Rotation;
- Convective Flow;
- Cores;
- Penetration;
- Radial Flow;
- Stellar Models;
- Stellar Structure;
- Astrophysics