The evolution of irradiated stars

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Abstract
Stars less than a few pc from a quasar or an active galactic nucleus will be subject to an intense radiation flux. The effects on the structure and evolution of such stars are investigated by evolving models in isotropic radiation baths at constant temperatures between 103.75 and 104 K. The effects on stars with radiative envelopes are found to be small, while stars with convective envelopes generally increase in size. Consequently, the main-sequence evolution of stars of mass |$\ge 1 \enspace M_\odot$| is little affected, but as red giants, they are 10–100 times larger than normal. Lower-mass stars do grow significantly while still on the main sequence. Redistribution of energy is found to prolong Hertzsprung-gap evolution of all stars and to shorten the main-sequence lifetimes of very-low-mass stars. It is found that the bloated giants are likely to undergo extensive mass loss soon after they begin to expand.

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