Solar Calibration of the Convective Mixing Length for Use with the ÆSOPUS Opacities in MESA
Giulia C. Cinquegrana, Meridith Joyce
Abstract
Abstract The simplistic but ubiquitous Mixing Length Theory (MLT) formalism is used to model convective energy transport within 1D stellar evolution calculations. The formalism relies on the free parameter α MLT , which must be independently calibrated within each stellar evolution program and for any given set of physical assumptions. We present a solar calibration of α MLT appropriate for use with the ÆSOPUS opacities, which have recently been made available for use with the MESA stellar evolution software. We report a calibrated value of α MLT = 1.931 and demonstrate the impact of using an appropriately calibrated value in simulations of a 3 M ⊙ asymptotic giant branch star.
Topics & Concepts
Formalism (music)OpacityPhysicsConvectionAstrophysicsCalibrationMixing length modelStellar evolutionMixing (physics)Computational physicsAstronomyStarsMechanicsOpticsVisual artsMusicalQuantum mechanicsArtStellar, planetary, and galactic studiesAstro and Planetary ScienceAstrophysics and Star Formation Studies