Hydrodynamic simulations of the core helium flash
Abstract
We describe and discuss hydrodynamic simulations of the core helium flash using an initial model of a 1.25 M_sol star with a metallicity of 0.02 near at its peak. Past research concerned with the dynamics of the core helium flash is inconclusive. Its results range from a confirmation of the standard picture, where the star remains in hydrostatic equilibrium during the flash (Deupree 1996), to a disruption or a significant mass loss of the star (Edwards 1969; Cole & Deupree 1980). However, the most recent multidimensional hydrodynamic study (Dearborn 2006) suggests a quiescent behavior of the core helium flash and seems to rule out an explosive scenario. Here we present partial results of a new comprehensive study of the core helium flash, which seem to confirm this qualitative behavior and give a better insight into operation of the convection zone powered by helium burning during the flash. The hydrodynamic evolution is followed on a computational grid in spherical coordinates using our new version of the multi-dimensional hydrodynamic code HERAKLES, which is based on a direct Eulerian implementation of the piecewise parabolic method.
Cite
@article{arxiv.0904.4867,
title = {Hydrodynamic simulations of the core helium flash},
author = {M. Mocak and E. Mueller and A. Weiss and K. Kifonidis},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0904.4867},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
6 pages, 5 figures. IAUS 252 Conference Proceeding (Sanya, China): "The art of modeling stars in the 21st century"