Mass Flow from Stellar Systems--I: Radial Flow from Spherical Systems

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Abstract
Evidence indicates that interstellar material exists within some Population II stellar systems. With a view toward understanding the behaviour of this material, a simplified model stellar system is outlined in which it is assumed that: (i) interstellar material is injected into the system by its stellar component; (ii) a radial, outward flow pattern is established; (iii) the flow is in steady state. Solutions of the differential equations governing the model give quantitative results for the velocity, temperature, and density of the interstellar matter in globular clusters and elliptical galaxies. It is seen that for the more tightly bound elliptical galaxies solutions do not exist, indicating that material does not escape in a radial, steady state flow pattern, but probably remains within the galaxy.

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