Improved velocity law parameterization for hot star winds

TL;DR

This paper introduces a polynomial approximation for hot star wind velocity profiles, offering a more accurate fit than the traditional beta velocity law based on hydrodynamical models.

Contribution

The authors propose a polynomial parameterization that outperforms the beta velocity law in modeling hot star wind velocities.

Findings

Polynomial approximation fits wind velocity profiles better than beta law.

Improved fit achieved with the same number of parameters.

Polynomial method enhances modeling accuracy of stellar winds.

Abstract

The velocity law of hot star winds is usually parameterized via the so-called beta velocity law. Although this parameterization stems from theoretical considerations, it is not the most accurate description of the wind velocity law that follows from hydrodynamical calculations. We show that the velocity profile of our hydrodynamical wind models is described much better by polynomial approximation. This approximation provides a better fit than the beta velocity law already for the same number of free parameters.