Hydrodynamic processes of angular momentum transport in the interior of a rotating massive hydrogen-burning star

Abstract

The evolution of a rotating star with a mass of 16M⊙ at the hydrogen burning phase is considered together with the hydrodynamic processes of angular momentum transport in its interior. Shear turbulence is shown to limit the amplitude of the latitudinal variations in mean molecular weight on a surface of constant pressure in a layer with variable chemical composition. The resulting nonuniformity in the mean molecular weight distribution and the turbulent energy transport along the surface of constant pressure reduce the absolute value of the meridional circulation velocity. Nevertheless, meridional circulation remains the main mechanism of angular momentum transport in the radial direction in a layer with variable chemical composition. The intensity of the processes of angular momentum transport by meridional circulation and shear turbulence is determined by the angular momentum of the star. At a fairly high angular momentum, more specifically, at J = 3.69 × 1052 g cm2 s−1, the star during the second half of the hydrogen-burning phase in its convective core has characteristics typical of classical early Be stars.