Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2008-06-26
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
6 pages, conference proceedings IAU Symposium 252 (Sanya)
Scientific paper
10.1017/S1743921308022540
Thermohaline mixing has recently been proposed to occur in low mass red giants, with large consequences for the chemical yields of low mass stars. We investigate the role of thermohaline mixing during the evolution of stars between 1Msun and 3Msun, in comparison to other mixing processes acting in these stars. We confirm that thermohaline mixing has the potential to destroy most of the ^3He which is produced earlier on the main sequence during the red giant stage. In our models we find that this process is working only in stars with initial mass M <~ 1.5Msun. Moreover, we report that thermohaline mixing can be present during core helium burning and beyond in stars which still have a ^3He reservoir. While rotational and magnetic mixing is negligible compared to the thermohaline mixing in the relevant layers, the interaction of thermohaline motions with differential rotation and magnetic fields may be essential to establish the time scale of thermohaline mixing in red giants.
Cantiello Matteo
Langer Norbert
No associations
LandOfFree
Thermohaline mixing in low-mass giants does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Thermohaline mixing in low-mass giants, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Thermohaline mixing in low-mass giants will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-246659