Neutron star properties and the symmetry energy

The effect of the symmetry energy on the properties of compact stars is discussed. It is shown that, for stars with masses above 1 $M_\odot$, the radius of the star varies linearly with the symmetry energy slope $L$. The dependence of the hyperon content and onset density of the direct Urca process on the symmetry energy and meson coupling parametrization are also analyzed.