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Using Modern Stellar Observables to Constrain Stellar Parameters and the Physics of the Stellar Interior

van Saders, Jennifer Lynn
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1404130939

Abstract Details

2014, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Astronomy.
The current state and future evolution of a star is, in principle, specified by a only a few physical quantities: the mass, age, hydrogen, helium, and metal abundance. These same fundamental quantities are crucial for reconstructing the history of stellar systems ranging in scale from planetary systems to galaxies. However, the fundamental parameters are rarely directly observable, and we are forced to use proxies that are not always sensitive or unique functions of the stellar parameters we wish to determine. Imprecise or inaccurate determinations of the fundamental parameters often limit our ability to draw inferences about a given system. As new technologies, instruments, and observing techniques become available, the list of viable stellar observables increases, and we can explore new links between the observables and fundamental quantities in an effort to better characterize stellar systems. In the era of missions such as Kepler, time-domain observables such as the stellar rotation period and stellar oscillations are now available for an unprecedented number of stars, and future missions promise to further expand the sample. Furthermore, despite the successes of stellar evolution models, the processes and detailed structure of the deep stellar interior remains uncertain. Even in the case of well-measured, well understood stellar observables, the link to the underlying parameters contains uncertainties due to our imperfect understanding of stellar interiors. Model uncertainties arise from sources such as the treatment of turbulent convection, transport of angular momentum and mixing, and assumptions about the physical conditions of stellar matter. By carefully examining the sensitivity of stellar observables to physical processes operating within the star and model assumptions, we can design observational tests for the theory of stellar interiors. I propose a series of tools based on new or revisited stellar observables that can be used both to constrain stellar parameters and the physics of the interior. I examine how the acoustic signature of the location of the base of stellar convective envelopes can be used as an absolute abundance indicator, and describe a novel 3He-burning instability in low mass stars along with the observational signatures of such a process. Finally, I examine the manner in which stellar rotation, observed in a population of objects, can be used as a means to distinguish between different evolutionary states, masses, and ages. I emphasize that rotation periods can be used as age indicators (as often discussed in the literature), but that the interpretation of rotation periods must be made within the context of the full stellar population to arrive at accurate results.
Marc Pinsonneault (Advisor)
Jennifer Johnson (Committee Member)
Krzysztof Stanek (Committee Member)
159 p.
Astronomy; Astrophysics
stars; stellar evolution; stellar rotation; asteroseismology; stellar structure

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • van Saders, J. L. (2014). Using Modern Stellar Observables to Constrain Stellar Parameters and the Physics of the Stellar Interior [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1404130939

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • van Saders, Jennifer. Using Modern Stellar Observables to Constrain Stellar Parameters and the Physics of the Stellar Interior. 2014. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1404130939.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • van Saders, Jennifer. "Using Modern Stellar Observables to Constrain Stellar Parameters and the Physics of the Stellar Interior." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1404130939

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1404130939
492
© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.