Work

Rubidium, zirconium, and lithium production in intermediate-mass asymptotic giant branch stars

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: Context. A recent survey of a large sample of Galactic intermediate-mass (>3 M⊙) asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars shows that they exhibit large overabundances of rubidium (Rb) up to 100–1000 times solar. In contrast, zirconium (Zr) is not enriched in these stars compared to its solar abundances. These observations set constraints on our theoretical notion of the slow neutron capture process (s process) that occurs inside intermediate-mass AGB stars. Lithium (Li) abundances are also reported for these stars. In intermediate-mass AGB stars, Li can be produced by proton captures occuring at the base of the convective envelope. For this reason the observations of Rb, Zr, and Li set complementary constraints on different processes occurring in the same stars.

Source: Astronomy and Astrophysics

DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201117896

Authors: M. A. van Raai, M. Lugaro, A. I. Karakas, D. A. García-Hernández, D. Yong

Institutions: Utrecht University, Monash University, Mount Stromlo Observatory, Universidad de La Laguna, Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias

Language: English

Topic: Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación

OpenAlex ID: W2148597012