Meridional circulation in rotating stars. IV. The approach to the mean steady state in early-type stars

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

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/160598· OSTI ID:6052274

Tassoul, J; Tassoul, M

This paper deals with the large-scale meridional currents and differential rotation that exist in the radiative envelope of a nonmagnetic, early-type star, when departure from spherical symmetry is not too large. When the (turbulent) viscous time is not very small compared to the main-sequence lifetime, it is found that the mean rotation law inexorably evolves in time while leaving almost unaffected the much slower meridional currents. Accordingly, even though too small an eddy viscosity prevents a steady rotation law from being attained on the main sequence, it does not break up the smooth, almost steady circulation pattern into a ''random circulation,'' as some authors have suggested.

• Research Organization: Department de Physique, Universite de Montreal
• OSTI ID: 6052274
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 264:1; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
MAIN SEQUENCE STARS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
MOTION
ROTATION
STAR MODELS
STARS
STEADY-STATE CONDITIONS
VISCOSITY