Stellar winds driven by multiline scattering
Abstract
A model of a radiation-driven stellar wind with overlapping spectral lines is presented. It is based on the Castor, Abbott, and Klein (CAK) theory (1975). The presence of overlapping lines allows a photon to be scattered many times in different lines. A random separation is assumed between strong lines, which makes it possible to find the angular distribution of the wavelength-averaged intensity of radiation from the star. The properties of the wind at any point depend on this intensity, which in turn depends on the structure of the wind. A self-consistent wind model is found. The mass loss rate does not saturate as line overlap becomes more pronounced, but continues to increase. The terminal velocity is much larger than in the CAK model, while the velocity law is shallower. This wind is much more efficient in ejecting matter from the star than the CAK wind.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- September 1983
- DOI:
- 10.1086/161289
- Bibcode:
- 1983ApJ...272..259F
- Keywords:
-
- Electromagnetic Scattering;
- Radiative Transfer;
- Stellar Mass Ejection;
- Stellar Radiation;
- Stellar Spectra;
- Stellar Winds;
- Angular Distribution;
- O Stars;
- Radiation Pressure;
- Stellar Atmospheres;
- Stellar Models;
- Wind Velocity;
- Astrophysics