Stars and Stellar Processes

813 Pages·2019·31.727 MB·English

by  Mike Guidry

Stars and Stellar Processes
This textbook offers a modern approach to the physics of stars, assuming
only undergraduate-level preparation in mathematics and physics, and
minimal prior knowledge of astronomy. It starts with a concise review of
introductory concepts in astronomy, before covering the nuclear processes
and energy transport in stellar interiors, and stellar evolution from star
formation to the common stellar endpoints as white dwarfs and neutron
stars. In addition to the standard material, the author also discusses more
contemporary topics that students will find engaging, such as neutrino
oscillations and the MSW resonance, supernovae, gamma-ray bursts,
advanced nucleosynthesis, neutron stars, black holes, cosmology, and
gravitational waves. With hundreds of worked examples, explanatory
boxes, and problems with solved problems, this textbook provides a solid
foundation for learning either in a classroom setting or through self-study.
MIKE GUIDRY is Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of
Tennessee. His current research is focused on the development of new
algorithms to solve large sets of differential equations, and applications of
Lie algebras to strongly-correlated electronic systems. He has written five
textbooks and authored more than 120 journal publications on a broad
variety of topics. He previously held the role of Lead Technology
Developer for several major college textbooks in introductory physics,
astronomy, biology, genetics, and microbiology. He has won multiple
teaching awards and is responsible for a variety of important science
outreach initiatives.
Stars and Stellar Processes
MIKE GUIDRY
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
University Printing House, Cambridge CB2 8BS, United Kingdom
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Cambridge University Press is part of the University of Cambridge.
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and research at the highest international levels of excellence.
www.cambridge.org
Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9781107197886
DOI: 10.1017/9781108181914
© Mike Guidry 2019
This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant
collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written
permission of Cambridge University Press.
First published 2019
Printed in the United Kingdom by TJ International Ltd. Padstow Cornwall
A catalog record for this publication is available from the British Library.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Guidry, M. W., author.
Title: Stars and stellar processes / Mike Guidry (University of Tennessee, Knoxville).
Description: Cambridge, United Kingdom ; New York, NY : Cambridge University Press, 2018. |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2018034170 | ISBN 9781107197886 (hardback : alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Stars–Structure. | Stars–Evolution.
Classification: LCC QB808 .G85 2018 | DDC 523.8/6–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018034170
ISBN 978-1-107-19788-6 Hardback
Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for
external or third-party internet websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any
content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
For
Delphine, Milo,
Jack, Tethys, and Zelda
The best grandchildren ever!
Brief Contents
1 Some Properties of Stars
2 The Hertzsprung–Russell Diagram
3 Stellar Equations of State
4 Hydrostatic and Thermal Equilibrium
5 Thermonuclear Reactions in Stars
6 Stellar Burning Processes
7 Energy Transport in Stars
8 Summary of Stellar Equations
9 The Formation of Stars
10 Life and Times on the Main Sequence
11 Neutrino Flavor Oscillations
12 Solar Neutrinos and the MSW Effect
13 Evolution of Lower-Mass Stars
14 Evolution of Higher-Mass Stars
15 Stellar Pulsations and Variability
16 White Dwarfs and Neutron Stars
17 Black Holes
18 Accreting Binary Systems
19 Nova Explosions and X-Ray Bursts
20 Supernovae
21 Gamma-Ray Bursts
22 Gravitational Waves and Stellar Evolution
Contents
Preface
Part I Stellar Structure
1 Some Properties of Stars
1.1 Luminosities and Magnitudes
1.1.1 Stellar Luminosities
1.1.2 Photon Luminosities
1.1.3 Apparent Magnitudes
1.1.4 The Parsec Distance Unit
1.1.5 Absolute Magnitudes
1.1.6 Bolometric Magnitudes
1.2 Stars as Blackbody Radiators
1.2.1 Radiation Laws
1.2.2 Effective Temperatures
1.2.3 Stellar Radii from Effective Temperatures
1.3 Color Indices
1.4 Masses and Physical Radii of Stars
1.5 Binary Star Systems
1.5.1 Motion of Binary Systems
1.5.2 Radial Velocities and Masses
1.5.3 True Orbit for Visual Binaries
1.5.4 Eclipsing Binaries
1.6 Mass–Luminosity Relationships
1.7 Summary of Physical Quantities for Stars
1.8 Proper Motion and Space Velocities
1.9 Stellar Populations
1.9.1 Population I and Population II
1.9.2 Population III
1.10 Variable Stars and Period–Luminosity Relations
1.10.1 Cepheid Variables
1.10.2 RR Lyra Variables
1.10.3 Pulsational Instabilities
1.10.4 Pulsations and Free-Fall Timescales
Background and Further Reading
Problems
2 The Hertzsprung–Russell Diagram
2.1 Spectral Classes
2.1.1 Excitation and the Boltzmann Formula
2.1.2 Ionization and the Saha Equations
2.1.3 Ionization of Hydrogen and Helium
2.1.4 Optimal Temperatures for Spectral Lines
2.1.5 The Spectral Sequence
2.2 HR Diagram for Stars Near the Sun
2.2.1 Solving the Distance Problem
2.2.2 Features of the HR Diagram
2.3 HR Diagram for Clusters
2.4 Luminosity Classes
2.4.1 Pressure Broadening of Spectral Lines
2.4.2 Inferring Luminosity Class from Surface Density
2.5 Spectroscopic Parallax
2.6 The HR Diagram and Stellar Evolution
Background and Further Reading
Problems
3 Stellar Equations of State
3.1 Equations of State
3.2 The Pressure Integral
3.3 Ideal Gas Equation of State
3.3.1 Internal Energy
3.3.2 The Adiabatic Index
3.4 Mean Molecular Weights
3.4.1 Concentration Variables
3.4.2 Partially Ionized Gases
3.4.3 Fully-Ionized Gases
3.4.4 Shorthand Notation and Approximations
3.5 Polytropic Equations of State
3.5.1 Polytropic Processes
3.5.2 Properties of Polytropes
3.6 Adiabatic Equations of State
3.7 Equations of State for Degenerate Gases
3.7.1 Pressure Ionization
3.7.2 Distinguishing Classical and Quantum Gases
3.7.3 Nonrelativistic Classical and Quantum Gases
3.7.4 Ultrarelativistic Classical and Quantum Gases
3.7.5 Transition from a Classical to Quantum Gas
3.8 The Degenerate Electron Gas
3.8.1 Fermi Momentum and Fermi Energy
3.8.2 Equation of State for Nonrelativistic Electrons
3.8.3 Equation of State for Ultrarelativistic Electrons
3.9 High Gas Density and Stellar Structure
3.10 Equation of State for Radiation
3.11 Matter and Radiation Mixtures
3.11.1 Mixtures of Ideal Gases and Radiation
3.11.2 Adiabatic Systems of Gas and Radiation
3.11.3 Radiation and Gravitational Stability
Background and Further Reading
Problems
4 Hydrostatic and Thermal Equilibrium
4.1 Newtonian Gravitation