The Schoenberg-Chandrasekhar Limit - a Polytropic Approximation
Abstract
The existence of a maximum isothermal core mass fraction (qmax), the Schoenberg-Chandrasekhar limit, is one of the 'classic' results from the theory of stellar structure. This limit can be demonstrated through a simplified composite polytrope model in which an isothermal core is surrounded by ann=1 polytrope envelope. While this model underestimatesqmas by ∼25% in the homogeneous case, it is accurate to within 5% in the more realistic inhomogeneous situation.
- Publication:
-
Astrophysics and Space Science
- Pub Date:
- August 1988
- DOI:
- 10.1007/BF00645666
- Bibcode:
- 1988Ap&SS.147..219B
- Keywords:
-
- Polytropic Processes;
- Stellar Cores;
- Stellar Evolution;
- Stellar Models;
- Stellar Structure;
- B Stars;
- Degenerate Matter;
- Mass Distribution;
- Stellar Envelopes;
- Stellar Mass;
- Astrophysics;
- Mass Fraction;
- Homogeneous Case;
- Core Mass;
- Stellar Structure;
- Polytrope Model