Simulating the outer layers of rapidly rotating stars

Frank Robinson, Joel Tanner, Sarbani Basu

Published 2020-05-25Version 1

This paper presents the results of a set of radiative hydrodynamic (RHD) simulations of convection in the near-surface regions of a rapidly rotating star. The simulations use microphysics consistent with stellar models, and include the effects of realistic convection and radiative transfer. We find that the overall effect of rotation is to reduce the strength of turbulence. The combination of rotation and radiative cooling creates a zonal velocity profile in which the motion of fluid parcels near the surface is independent of rotation. Their motion is controlled by the strong up and down flows generated by radiative cooling. The fluid parcels in the deeper layers, on the other hand, are controlled by rotation.