A Possible Explanation of the Gaps on the Giant Branch of M15
Abstract
It is conlectured that fast rotating cores in the red giants of MIS might explain the possible existence of gaps on the giant branch of the cluster. In going outward through the transition layer between the rotating core and the nonrotating envelope the temperature gradient dT/dr will increase abruptly. As the hydrogen-burning shell traverses this transition layer, a sudden increase in the luminosity might therefore be expected. A numerical simulation of this phenomenon has confirmed this prediction. Some implications of this hypothesis on the evolution of Population II stars are briefly discussed.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- April 1972
- DOI:
- 10.1086/180911
- Bibcode:
- 1972ApJ...173L..27D