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Title: The prediction of stellar effective temperatures from the mixing-length theory of convection

Abstract

A generalized version of the mixing-length theory (MLT) of convection, along with simplifications in the limits of high and low convective efficiency, is described. This forms the basis for a study of the effects of proposed modifications to the original (Boehm-Vitense, 1958) form of the MLT on the predicted effective temperatures of cool stars. These modifications include the parameters y and m. It is found that none of the suggested refinements to the MLT affect the location and shape of an evolutionary track on the H-R diagram in ways that cannot be mimicked to high accuracy by a suitable choice of mixing length parameters alone. Thus, if mixing length parameters is calibrated by comparing stellar models with observed main-sequence stars with well-determined properties, then the subsequent evolutionary tracks and isochrones are uniquely defined, regardless of what version of the MLT is used in the calculations. A careful examination of the Revised Yale Isochrones suggests that the Teff scale of these isochrones is inconsistent with the assumed MLT, thereby resolving much of the known discrepancies between these calculations and those of VandenBerg and Bell (1958). 44 refs.

Authors:
; ;  [1]
  1. Victoria Univ. (Canada)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
6865739
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Astrophysical Journal; (USA)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 352; Journal ID: ISSN 0004-637X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; STARS; TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS; CONVECTION; FORECASTING; MAIN SEQUENCE STARS; MIXING; STAR EVOLUTION; STAR MODELS; STELLAR ATMOSPHERES; STELLAR RADIATION; ATMOSPHERES; ENERGY TRANSFER; HEAT TRANSFER; MASS TRANSFER; MATHEMATICAL MODELS; 640102* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Stars & Quasi-Stellar, Radio & X-Ray Sources

Citation Formats

Pedersen, B B, Vandenberg, D A, and Irwin, A W. The prediction of stellar effective temperatures from the mixing-length theory of convection. United States: N. p., 1990. Web. doi:10.1086/168533.
Pedersen, B B, Vandenberg, D A, & Irwin, A W. The prediction of stellar effective temperatures from the mixing-length theory of convection. United States. https://doi.org/10.1086/168533
Pedersen, B B, Vandenberg, D A, and Irwin, A W. 1990. "The prediction of stellar effective temperatures from the mixing-length theory of convection". United States. https://doi.org/10.1086/168533.
@article{osti_6865739,
title = {The prediction of stellar effective temperatures from the mixing-length theory of convection},
author = {Pedersen, B B and Vandenberg, D A and Irwin, A W},
abstractNote = {A generalized version of the mixing-length theory (MLT) of convection, along with simplifications in the limits of high and low convective efficiency, is described. This forms the basis for a study of the effects of proposed modifications to the original (Boehm-Vitense, 1958) form of the MLT on the predicted effective temperatures of cool stars. These modifications include the parameters y and m. It is found that none of the suggested refinements to the MLT affect the location and shape of an evolutionary track on the H-R diagram in ways that cannot be mimicked to high accuracy by a suitable choice of mixing length parameters alone. Thus, if mixing length parameters is calibrated by comparing stellar models with observed main-sequence stars with well-determined properties, then the subsequent evolutionary tracks and isochrones are uniquely defined, regardless of what version of the MLT is used in the calculations. A careful examination of the Revised Yale Isochrones suggests that the Teff scale of these isochrones is inconsistent with the assumed MLT, thereby resolving much of the known discrepancies between these calculations and those of VandenBerg and Bell (1958). 44 refs.},
doi = {10.1086/168533},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6865739}, journal = {Astrophysical Journal; (USA)},
issn = {0004-637X},
number = ,
volume = 352,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1990},
month = {Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1990}
}