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

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/168533· OSTI ID:6865739

Pedersen, B B; Vandenberg, D A; Irwin, A W ^[1]

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1. Victoria Univ. (Canada)

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.

• OSTI ID: 6865739
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Vol. 352; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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