Three-dimensional modelling of proton ingestion episodes in low-mass stars

Abstract

We have modelled a dual shell flash (DSF) in a low-metallicity 1.5M ȯ AGB star using the 3-dimensional hydrodynamic program "Djehuty", observing how the evolution of these events compares to 1-dimensional models, which are hypothesised to be inaccurate due to the simplifications in the treatment of convective processes. In particular, the stability of the separated convective structure following hydrogen ingestion is investigated. In both models constructed, the split convective zone structure was found to be unstable, with the velocities within the inner convective zone increasing until material breaks through the gap and recombines the two regions into a large single convective region. Show more