Astronomy and astrophysics

The value of physical detail and numerical precision: how do steady dust-driven winds form?

by Christer Sandin (AIP, Potsdam)

Europe/Stockholm
FA 31

FA 31

Description
In the final stages of stellar evolution low to intermediate mass stars lose their envelope in a strong stellar wind. Matter, which has been processed inside these stars, is thereby returned to the interstellar medium. In the wind acceleration region dust forms through a complex dynamic interaction with radiation and gas; such dust is also believed to drive the most massive winds on the asymptotic giant branch. After summarizing basic concepts of wind formation I will in this presentation demonstrate how new – numerically improved – wind models result in steady outflows, generally; and not irregular as before (cf. arxiv:0711.0281). Both for models that include gas-dust drift, and those which do not.