On Turbulence in the Atmospheres of the Sun and the Stars.

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (10) References Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS On Turbulence in the Atmospheres of the Sun and the Stars. Huang, Su-Shu Abstract The effect of turbulence in a stellar atmosphere on absorption lines formed in it is shown to consist of two parts. Which part a particular eddy contributes to depends on its relative size in comparison with the thickness of the reversing layer. The large eddies broaden the absorption lines without increasing their equivalent widths, while the small ones both broaden the lines and increase their equivalent widths. By using these ideas, an interpretation of the observed data on turbulence in stellar atmospheres is suggested. Thus the most important thing determining the nature of broadening of absorption lines by turbulence is the size of the fastest-moving eddies. As the linear dimension of the fastest-moving eddies can be greater or smaller than, or equal to, the thickness of the reversing layer, it is quite natural not only that the values of turbulent velocity derived from the curve of growth and from the line profiles disagree in most cases but also that the difference between these values should vary from one star to another. Finally, the turbulent spectrum in the solar atmosphere is considered, and a curve relating the velocity and the size of turbulent elements in the solar atmosphere is plotted as a result of the present analysis of the observed data. This curve modifies the one given recently by Richardson and Schwarxschild. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: November 1950 DOI: 10.1086/145356 Bibcode: 1950ApJ...112..418H full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (2)