The Effect of Nuclear Reaction Rates & Convective Mixing on the Evolution of a 6M$_{\odot}$ Star

TL;DR

This paper examines how nuclear reaction rates and convective mixing treatments influence the evolutionary path of a 6 solar mass star, focusing on the development of the blue loop during helium burning.

Contribution

It analyzes the impact of updated nuclear reaction rates and different convective mixing models on stellar evolution, particularly the blue loop extension.

Findings

Recent $^{14}$N(p,γ)$^{15}$O reaction rates affect blue loop formation.

Different convective mixing prescriptions alter the star's evolutionary track.

Modifications to Mixing Length Theory influence the star's evolution during helium burning.

Abstract

We present the evolution of a 6M$_{\odot}$ star, of solar-like initial metallicity, and investigate the effects of key nuclear reaction rates, as well as the treatment of the convective mixing on its evolution along the Cepheid instability strip. In particular, we study the effect of recent estimates of the $^{14}$N(p,{\gamma})$^{15}$O reaction on the formation and extension of the blue loop during core helium burning. We also investigate the effects induced on this blue loop by the adoption of non-standard convective mixing prescriptions, as well as the implications of modifying the Mixing Length Theory.