[mesa-users] small values of the mixing length

[David Arnett]

Hi Aaron and Lewis,

"Setting aside the issue of why you want to use alpha_MLT=0.01..."

When we simulate 3D turbulent convection we find that the "mixing length"
is related to the depth of the convection zone, and for shallow convections
zones becomes small, going to zero. The physical reason is that this length
is actually related to the turbulent damping length (the Kolmogorov scale),
which is what goes to zero.

That said, small mixing lengths reduce the effectiveness of convection, and
in principle, should be benign ;-)

-- 
David Arnett
Regents Professor
Steward Observatory
University of Arizona

Facts are stubborn, but statistics are more pliable.  Mark Twain
Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.  Aldous Huxley
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