The Role of Meridional Circulation in the Formation of Classical Be Stars

Abstract

Abstract: At the stage of mass exchange in a binary system, the meridional circulation brings to the surface of the star up to two-thirds of the angular momentum that entered the star along with the accreted matter. As a result, the mass and angular momentum of the star can increase due to accretion. After the end of accretion, the star has a rotation typical of rapidly rotating Be stars. It is assumed that the angular momentum carried by the meridional circulation to the star’s surface from the accreted matter is removed from the star by the accretion disk. The article is based on a talk presented at the astrophysical memorial seminar “Novelties in Understanding the Evolution of Binary Stars,” dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Professor M.A. Svechnikov. © 2023, The Author(s).