Overview of Stellar Pulsations and Driving Mechanisms in Relation to the Evolution of Stars (Abstract)

Volume 35 number 1 (2007)

A. Maeder

Abstract

(Abstract only) An overview of pulsations and instabilities throughout the HR diagram will be presented in relation to a description of the main phases of stellar evolution. The various groups of variable stars will be discussed as well as their properties. We shall also examine the basic physics of stellar pulsations, with a particular emphasis on the driving mechanisms. These mechanisms are essentially effects due to stellar opacity and radiation pressure. Radiation also plays a major role in producing stellar winds and the many consequences of these winds on the evolution will be illustrated.