Stochastic excitation and damping of solar-type oscillations

Abstract

A review on acoustic mode damping and excitation in solar-type stars is presented. Current models for linear damping rates are discussed in the light of recent low-degree solar linewidth measurements with emphasis on the frequency-dependence of damping rates of low-order modes. Recent developments in stochastic excitation models are reviewed and tested against the latest high-quality data of solar-like oscillations, such as from alpha Cen A, and against results obtained from hydrodynamical simulations.