A stellar model with optional adjustments of certain physical constants using a PseudoPhysFactors object.
A model can be created in two stages: construction of the global variables, such as the mixing length to use and mesh spacing function; then construction of an internal state consistent with these parameters. Although, in principle, the latter can be done by a shooting method using the stellar structure equations, the present implementation only allows structures to be imported wholesale, or constructed from other models by relaxation.
At the first level, as when creating a new model, you can specify a file from which to read the internal structure in the modelFile field. Click "read structure" to import the structure, making the model available for use in calculations. The idea behind this, is that, for compatibility with other software, the model structure should be written in a standard format. However, Catacomb reads and writes a more verbose XML-like format in which it would be redundant to save all the data a second time. Therefore, the star object, and its XML equivalent only includes the name of the file from which the real structure can be read.
Besides the internal structure, various global variables can be specified here. The mixing length parameter is alpha, the convective diffusion approximation rcd, and rmg, rml set mass gain or loss rates. All expressions and units are as described by Eggleton (1971).
The mesh spacing is governed by a set of ten quantities, ct1 to ct10 which are not normally accessible. To modify them, first set the displayLevel in the system component to 6 or more, then reopen the star model window.