scholarly journals Exploring the nucleosynthesis region of metal-poor Stars

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (S252) ◽  
pp. 339-340
Author(s):  
Yuan-Yuan Geng ◽  
Dong-Nuan Cui ◽  
Jiang Zhang ◽  
Bo Zhang

AbstractThe chemical abundances of the very metal poor double-enhanced stars are excellent information to set new constraints on models of neutron-capture processes at low metallicity. There have been many theoretical studies of s-process nucleosynthesis in low-mass AGB stars. Using the parametric approach based on the radiative s-process nucleosynthesis model, we calculate the following five parameters for a series of metal-poor stars. They are: the mass fraction of 13C pocket q, the overlap factor r, the neutron exposure per interpulse Δτ, and the component coefficients that correspond to relative contribution from the s-process and the r-process. We find that the mass fraction of 13C pocket q deduced for the Pb stars is comparable to the overlap factor r, which is about 10 times larger than normal AGB model; q ~ 0.05; and the neutron exposure per interpulse Δτ for all Pb stars are about 10 times smaller than the ST case (Δτ ~ 7.0mb−1). Although the two fundamental parameters Δτ and q obtained for the Pb stars are very different from the AGB stellar model, the results of the larger value of q and the smaller value of Δτ can also explain the abundance distribution of the Pb stars. This suggest that the q change to larger than that of normal AGB model. Then, this factor will result in the descent of the density of 13C in the nuclear synthesis region directly. So, the neutron exposure Δτ will also decrease to the same extent. Although the neutron number density in the larger initial mass AGB stars (m > 3M⊙) is high, the neutron irradiation time is shorter, obviously the neutron exposure per interpulse in the AGB stars should be smaller. It is noteworthy that the total amount of 13C in metal poor condition is close to the ST case, which is consistent with the primary nature of the neutron source.

1993 ◽  
Vol 155 ◽  
pp. 572-572
Author(s):  
C.Y. Zhang

We have selected a sample of planetary nebulae, for which the core masses are determined using distance-independent parameters (Zhang and Kwok 1992). The chemical abundances of He, N, O, and C are taken from the literature for them. Relationships of the ratios of He/H, N/O, and C/O with various stellar parameters of planetary nebulae (PN), such as the core mass, the mass of the core plus the ionized nebular gas, the stellar age and temperature, are examined. It is found that the N/O increases with increasing mass, while the C/O first increases and then decreases with the core mass. No strong correlation seems to exist between the He/H and the core mass. A correlation of the N/O and He/H with the stellar temperature exists. The current dredge-up theory for the progenitor AGB stars cannot satisfactorily account for these patterns of chemical enrichment in PN. Furthermore, the correlations of the N/O and He/H with the stellar age and temperature indicate that besides the dredge-ups in the RG and AGB stages, physical processes that happen in the planetary nebula stage may also play a role in forming the observed patterns of chemical enrichment in the planetary nebulae.


1995 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 419-422
Author(s):  
J. Andersen

Stellar models are the means by which we describe and understand the distribution of stars in the HR diagram. A stellar model is, in principle, completely specified by the three fundamental parameters mass, chemical composition, and age. Comparing the properties of models and real stars with the same parameters will tell us if our recipe for constructing stellar models is realistic. Unfortunately, the only star for which all three are known independently of stellar models is the Sun. For stars of other masses and ages we must devise observational tests in which at least one fundamental parameter is unknown. Two such popular test objects are double-lined eclipsing binaries and star clusters.In suitable eclipsing binaries we can determine both masses and chemical composition; the absolute age is unknown, but the same for both stars. Since evolution depends most sensitively on the mass, eclipsing binaries provide a very direct test of the models, but only for two points on a single isochrone. In star clusters, neither ages nor individual masses are known, but the detailed shape and population of a well-observed cluster sequence in the HR diagram provide a number of additional probes into the models.


2019 ◽  
Vol 631 ◽  
pp. A171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Á. Skúladóttir ◽  
C. J. Hansen ◽  
S. Salvadori ◽  
A. Choplin

The heavy elements (Z >  30) are created in neutron (n)-capture processes that are predicted to happen at vastly different nucleosynthetic sites. To study these processes in an environment different from the Milky Way, we targeted the n-capture elements in red giant branch stars in the Sculptor dwarf spheroidal galaxy. Using ESO VLT/FLAMES spectra, we measured the chemical abundances of Y, Ba, La, Nd, and Eu in 98 stars covering the metalliticy range −2.4 < [Fe/H] < −0.9. This is the first paper in a series about the n-capture elements in dwarf galaxies, and here we focus on the relative and absolute timescales of the slow (s)- and rapid (r)-processes in Sculptor. From the abundances of the s-process element Ba and the r-process element Eu, it is clear that the r-process enrichment occurred throughout the entire chemical evolution history of Sculptor. Furthermore, there is no evidence for the r-process to be significantly delayed in time relative to core-collapse supernovae. Neutron star mergers are therefore unlikely the dominant (or only) nucleosynthetic site of the r-process. However, the products of the s-process only become apparent at [Fe/H] ≈ −2 in Sculptor, and the s-process becomes the dominant source of Ba at [Fe/H] ≳ −2. We tested the use of [Y/Mg] and [Ba/Mg] as chemical clocks in Sculptor. Similarly to what is observed in the Milky Way, [Y/Mg] and [Ba/Mg] increase towards younger ages. However, there is an offset in the trends, where the abundance ratios of [Y/Mg] in Sculptor are significantly lower than those of the Milky Way at any given age. This is most likely caused by metallicity dependence of yields from the s-process, as well as by a different relative contribution of the s-process to core-collapse supernovae in these galaxies. Comparisons of our results with data of the Milky Way and the Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxy furthermore show that these chemical clocks depend on both metallicity and environment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 635 ◽  
pp. L6 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Shetye ◽  
S. Van Eck ◽  
S. Goriely ◽  
L. Siess ◽  
A. Jorissen ◽  
...  

Context. S stars are late-type giants with overabundances of s-process elements. They come in two flavors depending on the presence or lack of presence of technetium (Tc), an element without stable isotopes. Intrinsic S stars are Tc-rich and genuine asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, while extrinsic S stars owe their s-process over abundances to the pollution from a former AGB companion, which is now a white dwarf (WD). In addition to Tc, another distinctive feature between intrinsic and extrinsic S stars is the overabundance of niobium (Nb) in the latter class. Indeed, since the mass transfer occurred long ago, 93Zr had time to decay into the only stable isotope of Nb, 93Nb, causing its overabundance. Aims. We discuss the case of the S stars BD+79°156 and o1 Ori, whose specificity lies in sharing the distinctive features of both intrinsic and extrinsic S stars, namely the presence of Tc along with a Nb overabundance. Methods. We used high-resolution HERMES optical spectra, MARCS model atmospheres of S stars, Gaia DR2 parallaxes, and STAREVOL evolutionary tracks to determine the stellar parameters and chemical abundances of the two S stars, and to locate them in the Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram. Results. BD+79°156 is the first clear case of a bitrinsic star, that is, a doubly s-process-enriched object, first through mass transfer in a binary system and then through internal nucleosynthesis that is responsible for the Tc-enrichment in BD+79°156, which must, therefore, have reached the AGB phase of its evolution. This hybrid nature of the s-process pattern in BD+79°156 is supported by its binary nature and its location in the HR diagram that is just beyond the onset of the third dredge-up on the AGB. The Tc-rich, binary S-star o1 Ori with a WD companion was another long-standing candidate for a similar hybrid s-process enrichment. However, the marginal overabundance of Nb derived in o1 Ori does not allow one to trace evidence of large amounts of pollution coming from the AGB progenitor of its current WD companion unambiguously. As a side product, the current study offers a new way of detecting binary AGB stars with WD companions by identifying their Tc-rich nature along with a Nb overabundance.


2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (S307) ◽  
pp. 280-285
Author(s):  
M. Wittkowski ◽  
B. Arroyo-Torres ◽  
J. M. Marcaide ◽  
F. J. Abellan ◽  
A. Chiavassa ◽  
...  

AbstractWe present near-infrared spectro-interferometric studies of red supergiant (RSG) stars using the VLTI/AMBER instrument, which are compared to previously obtained similar observations of AGB stars. Our observations indicate spatially extended atmospheric molecular layers of water vapor and CO, similar as previously observed for Mira stars. Data of VY~CMa indicate that the molecular layers are asymmetric, possibly clumpy. Thanks to the spectro-interferometric capabilities of the VLTI/AMBER instrument, we can isolate continuum bandpasses, estimate fundamental parameters of our sources, locate them in the HR diagram, and compare their positions to recent evolutionary tracks. For the example of VY CMa, this puts it close to evolutionary tracks of initial mass 25-32 M⊙. Comparisons of our data to hydrostatic model atmospheres, 3d simulations of convection, and 1d dynamic model atmospheres based on self-excited pulsation models indicate that none of these models can presently explain the observed atmospheric extensions for RSGs. The mechanism that levitates the atmospheres of red supergiant is thus a currently unsolved problem.


2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (S283) ◽  
pp. 502-503
Author(s):  
Richard A. Shaw ◽  
Ting-Hui Lee ◽  
Letizia Stanghellini ◽  
James E. Davies ◽  
D. Anibal García-Hernández ◽  
...  

AbstractWe determine elemental abundances of He, N, O, Ne, S, and Ar in Magellanic Cloud planetary nebulae (PNe) using direct methods and a large set of observed ions, minimizing the need for ionization correction factors. In contrast to prior studies, we find a clear separation between Type I and non-Type I PNe in these low-metallicity environments, and no evidence that the O-N nucleosynthesis cycle is active in low-mass progenitors. We find that the S/O abundance ratio is anomalously low compared to H ii regions, confirming the “sulfur anomaly” found for Galactic PNe. We also found that Ne/O is elevated in some cases, raising the possibility that Ne yields in low-mass AGB stars may be enhanced at low metallicity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 622 ◽  
pp. A53 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Bekki

Context. One of the currently favored scenarios for the formation of globular clusters (GCs) with multiple stellar populations is that an initial massive stellar system forms (“first generation”, FG), subsequently giving rise to gaseous ejecta which is converted into a second-generation (SG) of stars to form a GC. How such GCs with such FG and SG populations form and evolve, however, remains unclear. Aims. We therefore investigate, for the first time, the sequential formation processes of both FG and SG stars from star-forming massive gas clumps in gas-rich dwarf disk galaxies. Methods. We adopt a novel approach to resolve the two-stage formation of GCs in hydrodynamical simulations of dwarf galaxies. In the new simulations, new gas particles that are much less massive than their parent star particle are generated around each new star particle when the new star enters into the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase. Furthermore, much finer maximum time step width (~105 yr) and smaller softening length (~2 pc) are adopted for such AGB gas particles to properly resolve the ejection of gas from AGB stars and AGB feedback effects. Therefore, secondary star formation from AGB ejecta can be properly investigated in galaxy-scale simulations. Results. An FG stellar system can first form from a massive gas clump developing due to gravitational instability within its host gas-rich dwarf galaxy. Initially the FG stellar system is not a single massive cluster, but instead is composed of several irregular stellar clumps (or filaments) with a total mass larger than 106 M⊙. While the FG system is dynamically relaxing, gaseous ejecta from AGB stars can be gravitationally trapped by the FG system and subsequently converted into new stars to form a compact SG stellar system within the FG system. Interestingly, about 40% of AGB ejecta is from stars that do not belong to the FG system (“external gas accretion”). FG and SG stellar systems have different amplitudes of internal rotation and V∕σ. The mass-density (MSG−ρSG) relation for SG stellar systems can be approximated as ρSG ∝ MSG1.5. There can be a threshold total mass of GC host galaxies (Mth = [5 − 23] × 109 M⊙) beyond which the formation of GCs with compact SG stellar systems is possible. Both the initial baryonic mass fraction and the gas mass fraction in dwarfs are crucial parameters that determine whether or not GCs can contain multiple stellar populations. GCs with compact SG stellar systems are more likely to form in dwarf disks with larger gas mass fractions and higher surface mass densities. Formation of binary GCs with SGs and the subsequent GC merging are clearly seen in some models. The derived external gas-accretion process in FG systems initially consisting of stellar clumps will need to be investigated further in more sophisticated simulations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 495 (1) ◽  
pp. 621-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Jiang ◽  
M Cunha ◽  
J Christensen-Dalsgaard ◽  
QS Zhang

ABSTRACT Because of the high-quality data of space missions, the detection of mixed modes has become possible in numerous stars. In this work, we investigate how the mixing character of dipolar mixed modes changes with stellar evolution, as well as with frequency within each stellar model. This is achieved by monitoring the variations in the coupling strength and the period spacing of dipolar mixed modes in red-giant models. These parameters are measured by fitting the asymptotic expansion of mixed modes to the model frequencies of a grid of red-giant models with masses between 1.0 and 2.0 M⊙ and three different chemical abundances. The coupling strength and the period spacing decrease with stellar evolution. We find that the slopes of their decreasing trends depend on the radial order of the pressure mode component. A non-negligible increase of the coupling strength with frequency by up to around 40 per cent is found in the observable frequency range for a set of red-giant models. On the contrary, no significant changes of the period spacing with frequency are found. The changes in the mixing character of the modes are in most cases affected by the model mass and metallicity. Buoyancy glitches also have an impact on the mixing character. Significant fluctuations in the estimated coupling strength and period spacing are found for models approaching the luminosity bump, if the glitch impact of the frequencies is not considered in the applied asymptotic expansion.


2021 ◽  
Vol 922 (2) ◽  
pp. 138
Author(s):  
Lin Guifang ◽  
Su Jie ◽  
Li Yan ◽  
Fu Jianning

Abstract Asteroseismology is a powerful tool to infer the details of the inner chemical structure of white dwarfs. Using the nine observed frequencies of HS 0507+0434B, we explore the influence of the inner chemical profile on the pulsation periods. Based on the evolutionary C/O profile, we modify slightly the C/O core profile and make an asteroseismic analysis for HS 0507+0434B. We find that the trapped mode with the period of 445.3 s is mainly affected by the hydrogen and helium mass fraction. The inner C/O core profile has an influence on all modes extending into the inner core. When we use the iteration method with the optimal C/O core profile, the fit between the theoretical periods and observed ones is significantly improved. For the best-fitting model with the optimal parametric C/O core, there is a smaller C/O ratio and a smaller overshooting zone in the stellar interior. The fundamental parameters of the model with the optimal C/O core are M */M ⊙ ∼ 0.710 ± 0.005, T eff ∼ 12570 ± 106K, log M H / M * ∼ − 8.01 ± 0.08 , and log M He / M * ∼ − 2.51 ± 0.08 .


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