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arXiv · 1206.2759

Lithium destruction and production observed in red giant stars

Stefan Uttenthaler·Thomas Lebzelter·Maurizio Busso·Sara Palmerini·Bernhard Aringer·Mathias Schultheis
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Abstract

According to standard stellar evolution, lithium is destroyed throughout most of the evolution of low- to intermediate-mass stars. However, a number of evolved stars on the red giant branch (RGB) and the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) are known to contain a considerable amount of Li, whose origin is not always understood well. Here we present the latest development on the observational side to obtain a better understanding of Li-rich K giants (RGB), moderately Li-rich low-mass stars on the AGB, as well as very Li-rich intermediate-mass AGB stars possibly undergoing the standard hot bottom burning phase. These last ones probably also enrich the interstellar medium with freshly produced Li.

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Stefan Uttenthaler, Thomas Lebzelter, Maurizio Busso, Sara Palmerini, Bernhard Aringer, Mathias Schultheis. 2012-06-13. Lithium destruction and production observed in red giant stars. https://arxiv.org/abs/1206.2759

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