Constants

Physical, mathematical and astrophysical constants available in the Galacticus source (defined via <constant> directives). Constants whose value is provided by the GNU Scientific Library note the GSL symbol rather than a literal value.

Astrophysical constants

arcminutesToDegrees = 1.0d0/60.0e0 [\(^\circ/^\prime\)]

Conversion factor from arcminutes to degrees.

Defined.

arcsecondsToDegrees = 1.0d0/3600.0e0 [\(^\circ/^{\prime\prime}\)]

Conversion factor from arcseconds to degrees.

Defined.

degreesToRadians = 2.0d0*Pi/360.0e0 [\(\mathrm{rad}/^\circ\)]

Conversion factor from degrees to radians.

Defined.

gigayear = giga*year (\(\mathrm{Gyr}\)) [s]

Gigayear—\(10^9\) years.

Derived.; more

heliumByMassPrimordial = 0.2486e+00 (\(\mathrm{Y}_\mathrm{p}\))

Primordial helium fraction by mass. (Theoretical expectation based on WMAP results.)

cite{cyburt_update_2008}

heliumByMassSolar = 0.2740e0 (\(\mathrm{Y}_\odot\))

Solar helium fraction by mass.

Allen’s Astrophysical Quantities, page 28

heliumToHydrogenAbundancePrimordial = (heliumByMassPrimordial/atomicMassHelium)/(hydrogenByMassPrimordial/atomicMassHydrogen) (\(\mathrm{He/H}_\mathrm{p}\))

Primordial helium to hydrogen ratio by number.

Derived.

heliumToHydrogenAbundanceSolar = (heliumByMassSolar/atomicMassHelium)/(hydrogenByMassSolar/atomicMassHydrogen) (\(\mathrm{He/H}_\odot\))

Solar helium to hydrogen ratio by number.

Derived.

hoursToDegrees = 360.0d0/24.0e0 [\(^\circ/^{\prime}\)]

Conversion factor from hours to degrees.

Defined.

hoursToRadians = 2.0d0*Pi/24.0e0 [\(\mathrm{rad}/^{\prime}\)]

Conversion factor from hours to radians.

Defined.

hydrogenByMassPrimordial = 0.7514e+00 (\(\mathrm{X}_\mathrm{p}\))

Primordial hydrogen fraction by mass.

cite{cyburt_update_2008}

hydrogenByMassSolar = 0.7070e0 (\(\mathrm{X}_\odot\))

Solar hydrogen fraction by mass.

Allen’s Astrophysical Quantities, page 28

kiloParsec = kilo*parsec (\(\mathrm{kpc}\)) [m]

Kiloparsec—\(10^3\) parsecs.

Derived.; more

lithiumToHydrogenAbundancePrimordial = 5.2400e-10 (\(\mathrm{Z}_\mathrm{Li,p}\))

Primordial lithium fraction by mass.

cite{cyburt_update_2008}

luminositySolar = 3.845e26 (\(\mathrm{L}_\odot\)) [W]

Solar luminosity.

Allen’s Astrophysical Quantities, page 340

luminosityZeroPointAB = (10.0d0**(-offsetAB/2.5d0))*4.0d0*Pi*((10.0d0*parsec*hecto)**2)*ergs [W/Hz]

The luminosity zero point offset in the AB magnitude system, found by computing the flux of a zeroth magnitude source at 10pc.

cite{oke_secondary_1983}; more

massSolar (\(\mathrm{M}_\odot\)) [kg]

Solar mass.

value from GSL GSL_CONST_MKSA_SOLAR_MASS; Gnu Scientific Library

meanAtomicMassPrimordial = 1.0d0/(2.0d0*hydrogenByMassPrimordial/atomicMassHydrogen+3.0d0*heliumByMassPrimordial/atomicMassHelium) (\(\mu_\mathrm{p}\))

Primordial mean atomic mass.

Derived.

megaParsec = mega*parsec (\(\mathrm{Mpc}\)) [m]

Megaparsec—\(10^6\) parsecs.

Derived.; more

metallicityPrimordial = lithiumToHydrogenAbundancePrimordial*atomicMassLithium7/atomicMassHydrogen (\(\mathrm{Z}_\mathrm{p}\))

Primordial metallicity.

Derived.

metallicitySolar = 0.0188e0 (\(\mathrm{Z}_\odot\))

Solar metal fraction by mass.

Allen’s Astrophysical Quantities, page 28

minutesToDegrees = 360.0d0/24.0d0/60.0e0 [\(^\circ/^{\prime\prime}\)]

Conversion factor from minutes to degrees.

Defined.

MpcPerKmPerSToGyr = megaParsec/kilo/gigaYear [Mpc/km s\(^{-1}\)/Gyr]

The conversion from Mpc/(km s\(^{-1})\) to Gyr.

Derived.

offsetAB = 48.57e0

The zero point offset in the AB magnitude system: \(m = -2.5\log_{10}(F_\nu/\mathrm{[ergs/s/cm}^2\mathrm{/Hz]})-48.57\). This zero point is chosen such that AB and Vega magnitude systems agree in the V-band. The original definition of the AB system zero point used a value of \(48.60\) (Oke and Gunn, 1983) to achieve this. However, more recent measurements give Vega a magnitude of \(+0.03\) in the Vega magnitude system, which is why the AB magnitude zero point is now also shifted by \(0.03\) relative to the original definition.

cite{oke_secondary_1983}; more

opticalDepthToMagnitudes = 2.5d0/log(10.0d0)

The conversion factor between magnitudes of extinction and optical depth.

Derived.

parsec (\(\mathrm{pc}\)) [m]

Parsec—the distance at which 1 AU subtends an angle of one arcsecond.

value from GSL GSL_CONST_MKSA_PARSEC; Gnu Scientific Library; more

radiusSolar = 6.95508e8 (\(\mathrm{R}_\odot\)) [m]

Solar radius.

Allen’s Astrophysical Quantities, page 340

secondsToDegrees = 360.0d0/24.0d0/3600.0e0 [\(^\circ/^{\prime\prime}\)]

Conversion factor from seconds to degrees.

Defined.

Atomic physics constants

atomicMassHelium = 4.0026032545e0 (\(A_{^4\mathrm{He}}\)) [amu]

Atomic mass of the \(^4\)He isotope of helium.

Commission on Isotopic Abundances and Atomic Weights

atomicMassHydrogen = 1.0078250322e0 (\(A_{^1\mathrm{H}}\)) [amu]

Atomic mass of the \(^1\)H isotope of hydrogen.

Commission on Isotopic Abundances and Atomic Weights

atomicMassLithium7 = 7.01600344e0 (\(A_{^7\mathrm{Li}}\)) [amu]

Atomic mass of the \(^7\)Li isotope of lithium.

Commission on Isotopic Abundances and Atomic Weights

atomicMassUnit (\(\mathrm{u}\)) [kg]

The unified atomic mass unit.

value from GSL GSL_CONST_MKSA_UNIFIED_ATOMIC_MASS; Gnu Scientific Library

lymanSeriesLimitWavelengthHydrogen_atomic = +plancksConstant*speedLight/rydberg*metersToAngstroms/(+1.0d0-electronMass/massHydrogenAtom) (\(R^{-1}_\mathrm{H}\)) [\(\AA\)]

Hydrogen Lyman series limit wavelength including correction for finite mass of the atom.

Derived.; more

massHeliumAtom = atomicMassHelium*atomicMassUnit (\(m_\mathrm{He}\)) [kg]

Mass of the \(^4\)He isotope of helium.

Derived

massHydrogenAtom = atomicMassHydrogen*atomicMassUnit (\(m_\mathrm{H}\)) [kg]

Mass of the \(^1\)H isotope of hydrogen.

Derived

rydberg (\(\mathrm{Ry}\)) [J]

Rydberg—the ionization energy of hydrogen in its ground state.

value from GSL GSL_CONST_MKSA_RYDBERG; Gnu Scientific Library

GNU Scientific Library constants

CBLAS_Diag

Enumeration of whether a CBLAS triangular matrix has unit diagonal or not.

value from GSL CBLAS_DIAG; Gnu Scientific Library

CBLAS_Transpose

Enumeration of CBLAS transpose options.

value from GSL CBLAS_TRANSPOSE; Gnu Scientific Library

CBLAS_UpLo

Enumeration of CBLAS matrix upper/lower options.

value from GSL CBLAS_UPLO; Gnu Scientific Library

GSL_Continue

Error code for iteration has not converged.

value from GSL GSL_CONTINUE; Gnu Scientific Library

GSL_EBadFunc

Error code for problem with user-supplied function.

value from GSL GSL_EBADFUNC; Gnu Scientific Library

GSL_EBadTol

Error code for user-specified invalid tolerance.

value from GSL GSL_EBADTOL; Gnu Scientific Library

GSL_EDom

Error code for input domain error, e.g sqrt(-1).

value from GSL GSL_EDOM; Gnu Scientific Library

GSL_EMaxIter

Error code for exceeding the maximum number of iterations.

value from GSL GSL_EMAXITER; Gnu Scientific Library

GSL_ENoProg

Error code for iteration not making progress towards solution.

value from GSL GSL_ENOPROG; Gnu Scientific Library

GSL_ERange

Error code for output range error, e.g. exp(1e100).

value from GSL GSL_ERANGE; Gnu Scientific Library

GSL_ERound

Error code for failure because of roundoff error.

value from GSL GSL_EROUND; Gnu Scientific Library

GSL_ESing

Error code for apparent singularity detected.

value from GSL GSL_ESING; Gnu Scientific Library

GSL_ETol

Error code for failure to reach the specified tolerance.

value from GSL GSL_ETOL; Gnu Scientific Library

GSL_EUndrFlw

Error code for underflow.

value from GSL GSL_EUNDRFLW; Gnu Scientific Library

GSL_EZeroDiv

Error code for attempt to divide by zero.

value from GSL GSL_EZERODIV; Gnu Scientific Library

GSL_Failure

Error code for generic failure.

value from GSL GSL_FAILURE; Gnu Scientific Library

GSL_Integ_Gauss15

Indicator for 15-point Gauss-Kronrod integration rule.

value from GSL GSL_INTEG_GAUSS15; GSL

GSL_Integ_Gauss21

Indicator for 21-point Gauss-Kronrod integration rule.

value from GSL GSL_INTEG_GAUSS21; GSL

GSL_Integ_Gauss31

Indicator for 31-point Gauss-Kronrod integration rule.

value from GSL GSL_INTEG_GAUSS31; GSL

GSL_Integ_Gauss41

Indicator for 41-point Gauss-Kronrod integration rule.

value from GSL GSL_INTEG_GAUSS41; GSL

GSL_Integ_Gauss51

Indicator for 51-point Gauss-Kronrod integration rule.

value from GSL GSL_INTEG_GAUSS51; GSL

GSL_Integ_Gauss61

Indicator for 61-point Gauss-Kronrod integration rule.

value from GSL GSL_INTEG_GAUSS61; GSL

GSL_Prec_Approx

Specifies GSL approximate-precision mode.

value from GSL GSL_PREC_APPROX; Gnu Scientific Library

GSL_Prec_Double

Specifies GSL double-precision mode.

value from GSL GSL_PREC_DOUBLE; Gnu Scientific Library

GSL_Prec_Single

Specifies GSL single-precision mode.

value from GSL GSL_PREC_SINGLE; Gnu Scientific Library

GSL_Success

Error code for success.

value from GSL GSL_SUCCESS; Gnu Scientific Library

Kernel constants

Kernel_EACCES

Error code for permission denied.

Linux kernel man pages

Kernel_ELOOP

Error code for loop exists in symbolic links.

Linux kernel man pages

Kernel_EMLINK

Error code for too many links.

Linux kernel man pages

Kernel_ENAMETOOLONG

Error code for name too long.

Linux kernel man pages

Kernel_ENOENT

Error code for non-existent directory.

Linux kernel man pages

Kernel_ENOSPC

Error code for no space on file system.

Linux kernel man pages

Kernel_ENOTDIR

Error code for not a directory.

Linux kernel man pages

Kernel_EROFS

Error code for read only file system.

Linux kernel man pages

Mathematical constants

catalan = 0.91596559417721901505460351493238411077e0 (\(G\))

Catalan’s constant.

OEIS: A006752; more

e (\(\mathrm{e}\))

Euler’s number—the base of natural logarithms.

value from GSL M_E; Gnu Scientific Library; more

eulersConstant (\(\gamma\))

Euler’s constant.

value from GSL M_EULER; Gnu Scientific Library; more

ln10 (\(\log 10\))

The natural logarithm of 10.

value from GSL M_LN10; Gnu Scientific Library

ln2 (\(\log 2\))

The natural logarithm of 2.

value from GSL M_LN2; Gnu Scientific Library

Pi (\(\pi\))

The ratio of a circle’s perimeter to its diameter.

value from GSL M_PI; Gnu Scientific Library; more

PiQuadPrecision = 3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197 (\(\pi\))

The ratio of a circle’s perimeter to its diameter (to quadruple precision).

OEIS: A002117; more

riemannZeta3 = 1.20205690315959428539973816151144999076e0 (\(\zeta(3)\))

Riemann zeta function evaluated at \(s=3\).

OEIS: A002117; more

Physical constants

boltzmannsConstant (\(\mathrm{k}\)) [J/K]

Boltzmann’s constant.

value from GSL GSL_CONST_MKSA_BOLTZMANN; Gnu Scientific Library

electronCharge (\(\mathrm{e}\)) [C]

The charge of the electron.

value from GSL GSL_CONST_MKSA_ELECTRON_CHARGE; Gnu Scientific Library

electronMass (\(\mathrm{m}_\mathrm{e}\)) [kg]

The mass of an electron.

value from GSL GSL_CONST_MKSA_MASS_ELECTRON; Gnu Scientific Library

electronRadius = 1.0d0/(4.0d0*Pi*permittivityFreeSpace)*electronCharge**2/(electronMass*speedLight**2) (\(r_\mathrm{e}\)) [m]

The classical electron radius.

Definition.; more

fineStructure (\(\alpha\))

The electromagnetic fine structure constant.

value from GSL GSL_CONST_NUM_FINE_STRUCTURE; Gnu Scientific Library

gravitationalConstant (\(\mathrm{G}\)) [N m\(^2\) kg\(^{-2}\)]

The gravitational constant.

value from GSL GSL_CONST_MKSA_GRAVITATIONAL_CONSTANT; Gnu Scientific Library

gravitationalConstant_internal = gravitationalConstant*massSolar/(kilo**2)/megaParsec [km\(^2\)s\(^{-2}\)Mpc/\(\mathrm{M}_\odot\)]

Newton’s gravitational constant in Galacticus’ \(\mathrm{M}_\odot\), Mpc, km/s unit system.

Derived.

permittivityFreeSpace (\(\epsilon_0\)) [m/s]

The permittivity of free space.

value from GSL GSL_CONST_MKSA_VACUUM_PERMITTIVITY; Gnu Scientific Library

plancksConstant (\(\mathrm{h}\)) [J s]

Planck’s constant.

value from GSL GSL_CONST_MKSA_PLANCKS_CONSTANT_H; Gnu Scientific Library

radiationConstant = 4.0d0*stefanBoltzmannConstant/speedLight (\(a\)) [J/m\(^3\)/K\(^4\)]

The radiation density constant.

Definition.; more

speedLight (\(\mathrm{c}\)) [m/s]

The speed of light in vacuum.

value from GSL GSL_CONST_MKSA_SPEED_OF_LIGHT; Gnu Scientific Library; more

stefanBoltzmannConstant (\(\sigma\)) [J/s/m\(^2\)/K\(^4\)]

The Stefan-Boltzmann constant.

value from GSL GSL_CONST_MKSA_STEFAN_BOLTZMANN_CONSTANT; Gnu Scientific Library

thomsonCrossSection (\(\sigma_\mathrm{T}\)) [m/s]

The Thompson cross-section.

value from GSL GSL_CONST_MKSA_THOMSON_CROSS_SECTION; Gnu Scientific Library

SI prefixes

atto = 1.0e-18 (\(\mathrm{a}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

centi = 1.0e-02 (\(\mathrm{c}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

deca = 1.0e+01 (\(\mathrm{da}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

deci = 1.0e-01 (\(\mathrm{d}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

exa = 1.0e+18 (\(\mathrm{E}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

femto = 1.0e-15 (\(\mathrm{f}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

giga = 1.0e+09 (\(\mathrm{G}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

hecto = 1.0e+02 (\(\mathrm{h}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

kilo = 1.0e+03 (\(\mathrm{k}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

mega = 1.0e+06 (\(\mathrm{M}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

micro = 1.0e-06 (\(\mu\))

SI prefix.

NIST

milli = 1.0e-03 (\(\mathrm{m}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

nano = 1.0e-09 (\(\mathrm{n}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

peta = 1.0e+15 (\(\mathrm{P}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

pico = 1.0e-12 (\(\mathrm{p}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

quecto = 1.0e-30 (\(\mathrm{q}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

quetta = 1.0e+30 (\(\mathrm{Q}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

ronna = 1.0e+27 (\(\mathrm{R}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

ronto = 1.0e-27 (\(\mathrm{r}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

tera = 1.0e+12 (\(\mathrm{T}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

yocto = 1.0e-24 (\(\mathrm{y}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

yotta = 1.0e+24 (\(\mathrm{Y}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

zepto = 1.0e-21 (\(\mathrm{z}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

zetta = 1.0e+21 (\(\mathrm{Z}\))

SI prefix.

NIST

Units

arcminutesToDegrees = 1.0d0/60.0e0 [\(^\circ/^\prime\)]

Conversion factor from arcminutes to degrees.

Defined.

arcsecond = Pi/180.0d0/60.0d0/60.0e0 (\(^{\prime\prime}\)) [rad]

Arcsecond—unit of angle.

Derived; more

arcsecondsToDegrees = 1.0d0/3600.0e0 [\(^\circ/^{\prime\prime}\)]

Conversion factor from arcseconds to degrees.

Defined.

atomicMassUnit (\(\mathrm{u}\)) [kg]

The unified atomic mass unit.

value from GSL GSL_CONST_MKSA_UNIFIED_ATOMIC_MASS; Gnu Scientific Library

barn = 1.0e-28 (\(\mathrm{b}\)) [m\(^2\)]

Unit of area used for nuclear cross-sections.

IUPAC Gold Book; more

degree = Pi/180.0e0 (\(^\circ\)) [rad]

Degree—unit of angle.

Derived; more

degreesToRadians = 2.0d0*Pi/360.0e0 [\(\mathrm{rad}/^\circ\)]

Conversion factor from degrees to radians.

Defined.

electronVolt (\(\mathrm{eV}\)) [J]

Electron-volt—the energy of an electron accelerated through a 1 volt electric field.

value from GSL GSL_CONST_MKSA_ELECTRON_VOLT; Gnu Scientific Library

ergs = 1.0e-7 (\(\mathrm{ergs}\)) [J]

Unit of energy in the CGS system.

cite{jackson_classical_1999}; more

gigayear = giga*year (\(\mathrm{Gyr}\)) [s]

Gigayear—\(10^9\) years.

Derived.; more

gravitationalConstant_internal = gravitationalConstant*massSolar/(kilo**2)/megaParsec [km\(^2\)s\(^{-2}\)Mpc/\(\mathrm{M}_\odot\)]

Newton’s gravitational constant in Galacticus’ \(\mathrm{M}_\odot\), Mpc, km/s unit system.

Derived.

hoursToDegrees = 360.0d0/24.0e0 [\(^\circ/^{\prime}\)]

Conversion factor from hours to degrees.

Defined.

hoursToRadians = 2.0d0*Pi/24.0e0 [\(\mathrm{rad}/^{\prime}\)]

Conversion factor from hours to radians.

Defined.

kiloParsec = kilo*parsec (\(\mathrm{kpc}\)) [m]

Kiloparsec—\(10^3\) parsecs.

Derived.; more

megaParsec = mega*parsec (\(\mathrm{Mpc}\)) [m]

Megaparsec—\(10^6\) parsecs.

Derived.; more

metersToAngstroms = 1.0e10 (\(\text{\AA}/\mathrm{m}\)) [AA/m]

Number of Angstroms per meter.

Defined.

micronsToAngstroms = 1.0e4 (\(\text{\AA}/\mu\mathrm{m}\)) [Å/\(\mu\)m]

Number of Angstroms per micron.

Defined.

minutesToDegrees = 360.0d0/24.0d0/60.0e0 [\(^\circ/^{\prime\prime}\)]

Conversion factor from minutes to degrees.

Defined.

MpcPerKmPerSToGyr = megaParsec/kilo/gigaYear [Mpc/km s\(^{-1}\)/Gyr]

The conversion from Mpc/(km s\(^{-1})\) to Gyr.

Derived.

parsec (\(\mathrm{pc}\)) [m]

Parsec—the distance at which 1 AU subtends an angle of one arcsecond.

value from GSL GSL_CONST_MKSA_PARSEC; Gnu Scientific Library; more

rydberg (\(\mathrm{Ry}\)) [J]

Rydberg—the ionization energy of hydrogen in its ground state.

value from GSL GSL_CONST_MKSA_RYDBERG; Gnu Scientific Library

secondsToDegrees = 360.0d0/24.0d0/3600.0e0 [\(^\circ/^{\prime\prime}\)]

Conversion factor from seconds to degrees.

Defined.

year = 3.15581497635456e7 (\(\mathrm{yr}\)) [s]

Sidereal year.

Earth observation center.; more