Simulations of Core Convection in Rotating A-Type Stars: Differential Rotation and Overshooting

• Published in: The Astrophysical journal 2004-01, Vol.601 (1), p.512-529
• Main Authors: Browning, Matthew K, Brun, Allan Sacha, Toomre, Juri
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Astronomy; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Main-sequence: intermediate-type stars (a and f); Normal stars (by class): general or individual; Stars; Stellar characteristics and properties; Stellar structure, interiors, evolution, nucleosynthesis, ages
• ISSN: 0004-637X; 1538-4357
• DOI: 10.1086/380198

We present the results of three-dimensional simulations of core convection within A-type stars of 2 M sub(o), at a range of rotation rates. We consider the inner 30% by radius of such stars, thereby encompassing the convective core and some of the surrounding radiative envelope. We utilize our anelastic spherical harmonic code, which solves the compressible Navier-Stokes equations in the anelastic approximation, to examine highly nonlinear flows that can span multiple scale heights. The cores of these stars are found to rotate differentially, with central cylindrical regions of strikingly slow rotation achieved in our simulations of stars whose convective Rossby number (R sub(oc)) is less than unity. Such differential rotation results from the redistribution of angular momentum by the nonlinear convection that strongly senses the overall rotation of the star. Penetrative convective motions extend into the overlying radiative zone, yielding a prolate shape (aligned with the rotation axis) to the central region in which nearly adiabatic stratification is achieved. This is further surrounded by a region of overshooting motions, the extent of which is greater at the equator than at the poles, yielding an overall spherical shape to the domain experiencing at least some convective mixing. We assess the overshooting achieved as the stability of the radiative exterior is varied and the weak circulations that result in that exterior. The convective plumes serve to excite gravity waves in the radiative envelope, ranging from localized ripples of many scales to some remarkable global resonances.