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At least 19 records

Introduction to stellar atmospheres and interiors

Stellar atmospheres are examined, giving attention to the transfer of radiation, the physical properties of gases, model atmospheres, and questions of line absorption in stellar atmospheres. Observational data are considered together with the equations for the stellar interior and aspects of stellar evolution. The calculation of model atmospheres and interiors is also discussed, taking into account numerical integration, a model solar atmosphere, and model stellar interiors.

Novotny, E.↗

Electron capture in stellar interiors.

Dependence of electron capture lifetimes of nuclei in stars on local temperature and density discussed, with some astrophysical applications

ELECTRON CAPTURE↗

The instability of strong magnetic fields in stellar interiors

There has been discussion of the possibility of resolving the solar neutrino dilemma with a sufficiently strong magnetic field (500 MG) in the solar interior to relieve the gas pressure by some 10% or more. The time in which magnetic buoyancy will bring a strong field to the surface is examined and is found to be less than 100 m.y. No possibility is seen for retaining a suitably strong magnetic field in the solar interior.

Parker, E. N.↗

The Stellar Imager (SI) - A Mission to Resolve Stellar Surfaces, Interiors, and Magnetic Activity

The Stellar Imager (SI) is a space-based, UV/Optical Interferometer (UVOI) designed to enable 0.1 milli-arcsecond (mas) spectral imaging of stellar surfaces and of the Universe in general. It will also probe via asteroseismology flows and structures in stellar interiors. SI will enable the development and testing of a predictive dynamo model for the Sun, by observing patterns of surface activity and imaging of the structure and differential rotation of stellar interiors in a population study of Sun-like stars to determine the dependence of dynamo action on mass, internal structure and flows, and time. SI's science focuses on the role of magnetism in the Universe and will revolutionize our understanding of the formation of planetary systems, of the habitability and climatology of distant planets, and of many magnetohydrodynamically controlled processes in the Universe. SI is a "LandmarklDiscovery Mission" in the 2005 Heliophysics Roadmap, an implementation of the UVOI in the 2006 Astrophysics Strategic Plan, and a NASA Vision Mission ("NASA Space Science Vision Missions" (2008), ed. M. Allen). We present here the science goals of the SI Mission, a mission architecture that could meet those goals, and the technology development needed to enable this mission

Christensen-Dalsgaard, Jorgen↗

The Stellar Imager (SI) - A Mission to Resolve Stellar Surfaces, Interiors, and Magnetic Activity

The Stellar Imager (SI) is a UV/Optical, Space-Based Interferometer designed to enable 0.1 milli-arcsecond (mas) spectral imaging of stellar surfaces and, via asteroseismology, stellar interiors and of the Universe in general. The ultra-sharp images of the Stellar Imager will revolutionize our view of many dynamic astrophysical processes by transforming point sources into extended sources, and snapshots into evolving views. SI's science focuses on the role of magnetism in the Universe, particularly on magnetic activity on the surfaces of stars like the Sun. SI's prime goal is to enable long-term forecasting of solar activity and the space weather that it drives. SI will also revolutionize our understanding of the formation of planetary systems, of the habitability and climatology of distant planets, and of many magneto-hydrodynamically controlled processes in the Universe. SI is included as a 'Flagship and Landmark Discovery Mission' in the 2005 NASA Sun Solar System Connection (SSSC) Roadmap and as a candidate for a 'Pathways to Life Observatory' in the NASA Exploration of the Universe Division (EUD) Roadmap (May, 2005). In this paper we discuss the science goals and technology needs of, and the baseline design for, the SI Mission (http://hires.gsfc.nasa.gov/si/) its ability to image the 'Biggest, Baddest, Coolest Stars'.

Carpenter, Kenneth↗

The Stellar Imager (SI) Project: Resolving Stellar Surfaces, Interiors, and Magnetic Activity

The Stellar Imager (SI) is a UV/Optical. Space-Based Interferometer designed to enable 0.1 milli-arcsec (mas) spectral imaging of stellar surfaces and, via asteroseismology, stellar interiors and of the Universe in general. The ultra-sharp images of SI will revolutionize our view of many dynamic astrophysical processes by transforming point sources into extended sources, and snapshots into evolving views. The science of SI focuses on the role of magnetism in the Universe, particularly on magnetic activity on the surfaces of stars like the Sun. Its prime goal is to enable long-term forecasting of solar activity and the space weather that it drives. SI will also revolutionize our understanding of the formation of planetary systems, of the habitability and climatology of distant planets, and of many magneto-hydrodynamically controlled processes in the Universe. In this paper we discuss the science goals, technology needs, and baseline design of the SI mission.

Carpenter, Kenneth G.↗

Post-main-sequence solar evolution

The standard evolution of a 1-solar-mass star from the zero-age main sequence to the helium flash is discussed. Two areas of solar-stellar research are examined which are presently in a state of rapid development: the theory of solar and stellar nonradial acoustic (p-mode) oscillations, which can be used to test the pressure stratification in the stellar interior; and the theory of the evolution of rotating stars, which predicts the evolution of surface rotational velocities and the mixing of chemical elements to the surface. Oscillations and rotation are closely interrelated because each individual p-mode is also split in frequency by internal rotation in the region through which it propagates. Observations of p-mode splittings can provide information on the state of rotation of the solar and stellar interiors.

Demarque, Pierre↗

Preface (for CUP)

Study of changes in solar and stellar irradiances has been of high interest for a long time. Determining the absolute value of the luminosity of stars with different ages is a crucial question for the theory of stellar evolution and energy production in stellar interiors.

Stellar Irradiance Solar Irradiance↗

Initiating solar system formation through stellar shock waves

Isotopic anomalies in presolar grains and other meteoritical components require nucleosynthesis in stellar interiors, condensation into dust grains in stellar envelopes, transport of the grains through the interstellar medium by stellar outflows, and finally injection of the grains into the presolar nebula. The proximity of the presolar cloud to these energetic stellar events suggests that a shock wave from a stellar outflow might have initiated the collapse of an otherwise stable presolar cloud. We have begun to study the interactions of stellar shock waves with thermally supported, dense molecular cloud cores, using a three spatial dimension (3D) radiative hydrodynamics code. Supernova shock waves have been shown by others to destroy quiescent clouds, so we are trying to determine if the much smaller shock speeds found in, e.g., asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star winds, are strong enough to initiate collapse in an otherwise stable, rotating, solar-mass cloud core, without leading to destruction of the cloud.

Boss, A. P.↗

Modelling the Centers of Galaxies

The key to studying central regions by means of nobody numerical experiments is to concentrate on the central few parsecs of a galaxy, replacing the remainder of the galaxy by a suitable boundary condition, rather after the manner in which stellar interiors can be studied without a detailed stellar atmosphere by replacing the atmosphere with a boundary condition. Replacements must be carefully designed because the long range gravitational force means that the core region is sensitive to mass outside that region and because particles can exchange between the outer galaxy and the core region. We use periodic boundary conditions, coupled with an iterative procedure to generate initial particle loads in isothermal equilibrium. Angular momentum conservation is ensured for problems including systematic rotation by a circular reflecting boundary and by integrating in a frame that rotates with the mean flow. Mass beyond the boundary contributes to the gravitational potential, but does not participate in the dynamics. A symplectic integration scheme has been developed for rotating coordinate systems. This combination works well, leading to robust configurations. Some preliminary results with this combination show that: (1) Rotating systems are extremely sensitive to non-axisymmetric external potentials, and (2) that a second core, orbiting near the main core (like the M31 second core system), shows extremely rapid orbital decay. The experimental setups will be discussed, along with preliminary results.

Smith, B. F.↗