Kippenhahn and Thomas averaging method for the structure of rotating stars

Ankush Pathania,1 Arvind Kumar Lal,2 Chander Mohan,3 and Thebe Medupe1,4
1Department of Physics and Electronics, North-West University, Mafikeng, South Africa
2School of Mathematics and Computer Applications, Thapar University, Patiala, Punjab, India
3Ambala College of Engineering and Applied Research, Ambala Cantt, Haryana, India
4South African Astronomical Observatory, PO Box 9, Observatory 7935, South Africa

Abstract. In 1970, Kippenhahn and Thomas proposed an averaging technique to study the equilibrium structures of the rotationally and tidally distorted stars. This technique has been subsequently used in the literature by various authors to study the equilibrium structures, evolutionary tracks and oscillations of rotating stars and stars that are rotationally and tidally distorted (that is, stars in binary systems). In this review paper, we have tried to see how this technique has been used by different authors in studying the various problems of rotating stars and stars in binary systems and also, how it has been modified over many years in the face of certain challenges and problems arising in the field of stellar structure and evolution.

Keywords: methods: analytical -- methods: numerical -- binaries: close -- stars: rotation

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