Stellar Atmospheres Part 2

Question 1

What is the equation of radiation transfer?

Answer 1

μ*dI/dτ = I - S, where S = ε/κ

Question 2

What is the optical depth, τ, related to?

Answer 2

The absorption in the line of sight in the sense that the higher the absorption, the higher the optical depth.

Question 3

What is the optical depth, τ?

Answer 3

How far into a body you can see.

Question 4

How do we model a stellar atmosphere?

Answer 4

Consider breaking up the atmosphere into multiple slabs rather than a single slab.

Question 5

For hydrostatic equilibrium, what is the change in pressure equal to?

Answer 5

ΔP = P(z) - P(z+Δz)

Question 6

For hydrostatic equilibrium, what must be balanced?

Answer 6

Net pressure must be balanced by gravitational force down: mg = gρΔV = gρΔz

Question 7

What are the layers relating to temperature in the Suns atmosphere?

Answer 7

Photosphere, chronosphere, translation zone, corona

Question 8

What is the equation for limb darkening?

Answer 8

I(θ)/I(0) = (1+B*cosθ)/(1+B)