Effects of convective overshoot on lithium depletion in main-sequence stars
A current problem in stellar evolution is to understand the lithium depletion in low-mass main-sequence stars. Standard stellar models do not produce temperatures in the outer convective zone high enough to allow lithium burning to occur. Convective overshoot could extend the mixing region deep enough to allow lithium burning. However, the strong temperature dependence of the relevant reaction rates initially seems to imply either total destruction or no destruction. Nevertheless, observations of main-sequence stars indicate a smooth variation of lithium abundance with stellar mass between 0.8 and 1.1 M/sub sun/ as well as dependence on stellar age. A gradual dependence of the degree of convective overshoot with stellar mass can be obtained if one uses a dynamical approach for describing the convective process. Thus both the mass and age dependence of lithium depletion might be understood. Specific examples of the Hyades and Pleiades clusters as well as the Sun are discussed. (AIP)
- Research Organization:
- Space Physics Laboratory, The Aerospace Corporation
- OSTI ID:
- 7285845
- Journal Information:
- Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 204:2; ISSN ASJOA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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640104 -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Solar Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALKALI METALS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
CONVECTION
COSMOCHEMISTRY
ELEMENTS
ENERGY TRANSFER
HEAT TRANSFER
LITHIUM
MAIN SEQUENCE STARS
MASS
METALS
STAR CLUSTERS
STAR EVOLUTION
STARS
SUN
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE