Supernova Explosions, Nucleosynthesis, and Cosmic Chemical Evolution
Abstract
The Universe emerged from its first three minutes with a composition consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, 3He, 4He, and 7Li. These isotopes constitute the primordial compositions of galaxies. Within galaxies, the synthesis of heavier elements from carbon through uranium is understood to occur during the normal evolution of stars and in supernova explosions of Types I and II. This history is written in the compositions of the stars and gas in our Milky Way Galaxy and other galaxies. The contributions both from massive stars (M>10 Msolar) and associated Type II supernovae and from Type Ia (thermonuclear) supernovae are particularly noteworthy. We review both the nuclear processes by which this occurs and the compositions of the stellar components of our Galaxy as a function of time which reflect these nucleosynthesis processes. We then discuss how such observations inform us of the nature of the earliest stellar populations and of the abundance history of the Cosmos.
- Publication:
-
Recent Advances in Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- August 2006
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.2347992
- Bibcode:
- 2006AIPC..848..281T
- Keywords:
-
- 97.60.Bw;
- 97.10.Cv;
- 26.30.+k;
- 97.10.Tk;
- Supernovae;
- Stellar structure interiors evolution nucleosynthesis ages;
- Nucleosynthesis in novae supernovae and other explosive environments;
- Abundances chemical composition