The two lines of investigation which are brought together in the present theory of the equilibrium of a star originate in two classical papers—

1. J. Homer Lane. On the Theoretical Temperature of the Sun. Amer. Journ. of Sci. and Arts, Series 2, Vol. 4, p. 57 (1870).

2. K. Schwarzschild. Ueber das Gleichgewicht der Sonnenatmosphäre. Göttingen Nachrichten, 1906, p. 41.

The latter paper develops the theory of radiative equilibrium in a form appropriate to the outer layers of a star.

Investigations up to the year 1907 are brought together in

1. 3. R. Emden. Gaskugeln: Anwendungen der Mechanischen Wärmetheorie. (B. G. Teubner, Leipzig and Berlin, 1907.)

which contains important developments by Emden himself. The most relevant portions are here summarised in §§ 54–63. Schwarzschild's work, which had newly appeared, is described by Emden, p. 330, but the book is in the main a study of convective equilibrium.

Two further references of historic interest may be added—

1. 4. R. A. Sampson. On the Rotation and Mechanical State of the Sun. Memoirs R.A.S. 51, p. 123 (1894).

2. 5. I. Bialobjesky. Sur l'Équilibre Thermodynamique d'une SphÈre Gazeuse Libre. Bull. Acad. Sci. Cracovie, May, 1913.

The first definitely postulates radiative equilibrium rather than convective equilibrium in the sun's interior. The second takes account of radiation pressure and demonstrates its importance in investigations of the internal equilibrium of a star.

For other early papers the references in Emden's Gaskugeln should be consulted.

My own investigations originated in an attempt to discuss a problem of Cepheid variation.