Modeling of steady, rotational, transonic winds from rotating stars and galaxies

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/160845· OSTI ID:5831469

Kopriva, D A; Jokipii, J R

We extend the theory of steady transonic winds from condensed bodies to general, two-dimensional, axisymmetric systems. A stream function is used to reduce the gas dynamics equations to a single second order differential equation plus an algebraic equation for the density. The approach extends Parker's quasi-one-dimensional theory, which uses Bernoulli's theorem to a complete two-dimensional calculation which includes vorticity and rotation. The conceptual basis of the stream function approach is described in detail, and a numerical method for solving the resulting equations is presented. The applications illustrate solutions for stellar (spherical source surface) and galactic (oblate spheroidal source surface) models. Among other things, we find that for rapidly rotating stellar models the Coriolis force dominates the centrifugal terms and the streamlines bend toward the rotation axis as a consequence of the axisymmetry. For both our rotating and nonrotating galaxy models the streamlines bend toward the equator.

• Research Organization: University of Arizona
• OSTI ID: 5831469
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 267:1; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102 -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BERNOULLI LAW
FLUID FLOW
FLUID MECHANICS
GALAXIES
HYDRODYNAMICS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
MOTION
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
ROTATION
STAR MODELS
STARS
STELLAR WINDS
TRANSONIC FLOW
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS