Work

Mesa Isochrones and Stellar Tracks (mist) 0: Methods for the Construction of Stellar Isochrones

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT I describe a method to transform a set of stellar evolution tracks onto a uniform basis and then interpolate within that basis to construct stellar isochrones. This method accommodates a broad range of stellar types, from substellar objects to high-mass stars, and phases of evolution, from the pre-main sequence to the white dwarf cooling sequence. I discuss situations in which stellar physics leads to departures from the otherwise monotonic relation between initial stellar mass and lifetime, and how these may be dealt with in isochrone construction. I close with convergence tests and recommendations for the number of points in the uniform basis and the mass between tracks in the original grid required to achieve a certain level accuracy in the resulting isochrones. The programs that implement these methods are free and open-source; they may be obtained from the project webpage. 1

Source: The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series

DOI: 10.3847/0067-0049/222/1/8

Author: Aaron Dotter

Institution: Australian National University

Language: English

Topic: Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Australian Research Council

Award: Unravelling the history of the Milky Way Galaxy and searching for exoplanets through the chemical compositions of stars