Observational nuclear astrophysics: neutron-capture element abundances in old, metal-poor stars
Author(s)
Jacobson, Heather; Frebel, Anna L.
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The chemical abundances of metal-poor stars provide a great deal of information regarding the individual nucleosynthetic processes that created the observed elements and the overall process of chemical enrichment of the galaxy since the formation of the first stars. Here we review the abundance patterns of the neutron-capture elements (Z ≥ 38) in those metal-poor stars and our current understanding of the conditions and sites of their production at early times. We also review the relative contributions of these different processes to the build-up of these elements within the galaxy over time, and outline outstanding questions and uncertainties that complicate the interpretation of the abundance patterns observed in metal-poor stars. It is anticipated that future observations of large samples of metal-poor stars will help discriminate between different proposed neutron-capture element production sites and better trace the chemical evolution of the galaxy.
Date issued
2014-02Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of PhysicsJournal
Journal of Physics G Nuclear and Particle Physics
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Citation
Jacobson, Heather R and Frebel, Anna. "Observational nuclear astrophysics: neutron-capture element abundances in old, metal-poor stars." Journal of Physics G Nuclear and Particle Physics 41, 4 (February 2014): 1-19. © 2014 IOP Publishing Ltd
Version: Author's final manuscript
ISSN
0954-3899
1361-6471