STELLAR PULSATIONS WITH STOCHASTIC DRIVING

We generalize the amplitude equation formalism to include stochastic t erms which represent neglected convective and turbulent random fluctua tions. We derive (a) a Fokker-Planck equation for the probability of f inding the system with specified amplitudes, and (b) simplified amplit ude equations which have the same statistical properties, but are much easier to use. Finally we discuss some analytical solutions that are useful in the context of single and multi-mode stellar pulsations.