Radiative shock dynamics. I. The Lyman Continuum

Journal Article · Thu Apr 15 04:00:00 EST 1976 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/154304· OSTI ID:7184461

Klein, R I; Stein, R F; Kalkofen, W

The shock quickly develops a temperature spike. At large optical depth, the spike structure is controlled by collisional ionization and three-body recombination. When the shock approaches tau/sub 912/approx. =200, precursor radiation drives an ionization front rapidly through the remaining atmosphere. At small optical depth, escape of recombination radiation narrows the temperature spike. Low postshock densities in the upper atmosphere reduce the three-body recombination rate and produce a large plateau of nearly constant ionization behing the shock. (AIP)

• Research Organization: Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics, University of Colorado and National Bureau of Standards
• OSTI ID: 7184461
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 205:2; 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
ATMOSPHERES
COLLISIONS
ENERGY TRANSFER
FLUID MECHANICS
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDRODYNAMICS
IONIZATION
LYMAN LINES
MECHANICS
RADIANT HEAT TRANSFER
RECOMBINATION
SHOCK WAVES
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES