Stellar Structure

• How do we figure out the structure of a star? We can only see the surface.

• Scientific Models:

  • BUILD a model based on our “rulebook”
  • COMPARE calculated properties with observed properties
  • IF they DIFFER, adjust the “rulebook”

• What’s the “rulebook”?

  • Imagine a star is divided into a series of shells
  • Apply conservation of mass, conservation of energy, physical laws of energy transport

Notes: