Open AccessThe non‐linear evolution of strange‐mode instabilities
Author(s) -
Glatzel W.,
Kiriakidis M.,
Chernigovskij S.,
Fricke K. J.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.1999.02190.x
Subject(s) - physics , stars , instability , wolf–rayet star , astrophysics , amplitude , mode (computer interface) , stellar wind , radial velocity , terminal velocity , astronomy , mechanics , optics , computer science , operating system
Numerical simulations of the evolution of strange‐mode instabilities into the non‐linear regime have been performed for massive objects and Wolf‐‐Rayet stars. Velocity amplitudes above 10 2 km s ‐1 can be reached which exceed the escape velocity and imply mass loss for massive objects. Although for Wolf‐‐Rayet stars direct mass loss is not observed, the velocity field established by the instability may be sufficient to initiate a line‐driven wind. The results are sensitive to the numerical treatment of the problem.