Solar calibration of $\alpha_{\rm MLT}$ using {\AE}SOPUS opacities in MESA

TL;DR

This paper calibrates the mixing length parameter $ m ext{MLT}$ for solar models using AESOPUS opacities within MESA, providing a specific value and demonstrating its impact on stellar evolution simulations.

Contribution

The paper provides a new solar calibration of $ m ext{MLT}$ for AESOPUS opacities in MESA, which was previously unavailable, enabling more accurate stellar modeling.

Findings

Calibrated $ m ext{MLT}$ value of 1.931 for AESOPUS opacities.

Impact of calibrated $ m ext{MLT}$ on $3 M_{ m igodot}$ AGB star simulations.

Enhanced accuracy in stellar evolution modeling with the new calibration.

Abstract

The simplistic but ubiquitous Mixing Length Theory (MLT) formalism is used to model convective energy transport within 1D stellar evolution calculations. The formalism relies on the free parameter $\alpha_{\rm MLT}$, which must be independently calibrated within each stellar evolution program and for any given set of physical assumptions. We present a solar calibration of $\alpha_{\text{MLT}}$ appropriate for use with the AESOPUS opacities, which have recently been made available for use with the MESA stellar evolution software. We report a calibrated value of $\alpha_{\rm MLT}=1.931$ and demonstrate the impact of using an appropriately calibrated value in simulations of a $3 M_{\odot}$ asymptotic giant branch star.