arXiv subjects

A. Karakas

Publications and source records attributed to A. Karakas.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

Nucleosynthesis in AGB stars traced by oxygen isotopic ratios. I - Determining the stellar initial mass by means of the $^{17}$O/$^{18}$O ratio

The aim of this paper is to investigate the $^{17}$O/$^{18}$O ratio for a sample of AGB stars, containing M-, S- and C-type stars. These ratios are evaluated in relation to fundamental stellar evolution parameters: the stellar initial mass and pulsation period. Circumstellar $^{13}$C$^{16}$O, $^{12}$C$^{17}$O and $^{12}$C$^{18}$O line observations were obtained for a sample of nine stars with various single-dish long-wavelength facilities. Line intensity ratios are shown to relate directly to the surface $^{17}$O/$^{18}$O abundance ratio. Stellar evolution models predict the $^{17}$O/$^{18}$O ratio to be a sensitive function of initial mass and to remain constant throughout the entire TP-AGB phase for stars initially less massive than 5\,$M_{\odot}$. This makes the measured ratio a probe of the initial stellar mass. Observed $^{17}$O/$^{18}$O ratios are found to be well in the range predicted by stellar evolution models that do not consider convective overshooting. From this, accurate initial mass estimates are calculated for seven sources. For the remaining two sources two mass solutions result, though with a larger probability that the low-mass solution is the correct one. Finally, hints at a possible separation between M/S- and C-type stars when comparing the $^{17}$O/$^{18}$O ratio to the stellar pulsation period are presented.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

Strength of the E_R = 127 keV, 26Al(p,g)27Si resonance

We examine the impact of the strength of the E_R = 127 keV, 26Al(p,g)27Si resonance on 26Al production in classical nova explosions and asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. Thermonuclear 26Al(p,g)27Si reaction rates are determined using different assumed strengths for this resonance and representative stellar model calculations of these astrophysical environments are performed using these different rates. Predicted 26Al yields in our models are not sensitive to differences in rates determined using zero and a commonly stated upper limit corresponding to wg_UL = 0.0042 micro-eV for this resonance strength. Yields of 26Al decrease by 6% and, more significantly, up to 30%, when a strength of 24 x wg_UL = 0.1 micro-eV is assumed in the adopted nova and AGB star models, respectively. Given that the value of wg_UL was deduced from a single, background-dominated 26Al(3He,d)27Si experiment where only upper limits on differential cross sections were determined, we encourage new experiments to confirm the strength of the 127 keV resonance.

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arXiv2013

3He: Does the problem persists?

To understand the chemical evolution of the Galaxy, we need to understand the contribution of PNe in the 3He abundance. 3He abundances have been detected only in a couple of PNe, their abundances are consistent with the standard models, in which 3He is produced in significant quantities by stars of 1-2M_sun. However, for all the other PNe observed to date there have been no detections, therefore only upper limits in their abundance can be calculated. Observations of the 3He+ emission line using the VLA towards the PNe IC 418, NGC 6572 and NGC 7009 were used to obtain upper limits for their 3He abundance. Because the abundance of 3He in HII regions, the ISM and the proto-solar system is much lower than what is predicted, new chemical models were proposed. The resulting evolution of 3He, based on stellar evolution models, can be consistent with the values determined in pre-solar material and the ISM if 96 percent of the population of stars with mass below 2.5M_sun has undergone enhanced 3He depletion. This implies that unless the combined sample of PNe that has been observed so far is very atypical, the solution to the "The 3He Problem" lies elsewhere. However, the results presented here suggest that more observations are needed in order to make a strong conclusion about the stellar evolution models.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2012

Lithium abundances in CEMP stars

Carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars are believed to show the chemical imprints of more massive stars (M > 0.8 Msun) that are now extinct. In particular, it is expected that the observed abundance of Li should deviate in these stars from the standard Spite lithium plateau. We study here a sample of 11 metal-poor stars and a double-lined spectroscopic binary with -1.8 <[Fe/H]< -3.3 observed with VLT/UVES spectrograph. Among these 12 metal-poor stars, there are 8 CEMP stars for which we measure or constrain the Li abundance. In contrast to previous arguments, we demonstrate that an appropriate regime of dilution permits the existence of "Li-Spite plateau and C-rich" stars, whereas some of the "Li-depleted and C-rich" stars call for an unidentified additional depletion mechanism that cannot be explained by dilution alone. We find evidence that rotation is related to the Li depletion in some CEMP stars. Additionally, we report on a newly recognized double-lined spectroscopic binary star in our sample. For this star, we develop a new technique from which estimates of stellar parameters and luminosity ratios can be derived based on a high-resolution spectrum alone, without the need for input from evolutionary models.

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arXiv2011

Tungsten isotopic compositions in stardust SiC grains from the Murchison meteorite: Constraints on the s-process in the Hf-Ta-W-Re-Os region

We report the first tungsten isotopic measurements in stardust silicon carbide (SiC) grains recovered from the Murchison carbonaceous chondrite. The isotopes 182W, 183W, 184W, 186W and 179Hf, 180Hf were measured on both an aggregate (KJB fraction) and single stardust SiC grains (LS+LU fraction) believed to have condensed in the outflows of low-mass carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars with close-to-solar metallicity. The SiC aggregate shows small deviations from terrestrial (=solar) composition in the 182W/184W and 183W/184W ratios, with deficits in 182W and 183W with respect to 184W. The 186W/184W ratio, however, shows no apparent deviation from the solar value. Tungsten isotopic measurements in single mainstream stardust SiC grains revealed lower than solar 182W/184W, 183W/184W, and 186W/184W ratios. We have compared the SiC data with theoretical predictions of the evolution of W isotopic ratios in the envelopes of AGB stars. These ratios are affected by the slow neutron-capture process and match the SiC data regarding their 182W/184W, 183W/184W, and 179Hf/180Hf isotopic compositions, although a small adjustment in the s-process production of 183W is needed in order to have a better agreement between the SiC data and model predictions. The models cannot explain the 186W/184W ratios observed in the SiC grains, even when the current 185W neutron-capture cross section is increased by a factor of two. Further study is required to better assess how model uncertainties (e.g., the formation of the 13C neutron source, the mass-loss law, the modelling of the third dredge-up, and the efficiency of the 22Ne neutron source) may affect current s-process predictions.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2006

The Uncertainties in the 22Ne + alpha-capture Reaction Rates and the Production of the Heavy Magnesium Isotopes in Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars of Intermediate Mass

We present new rates for the 22Ne(alpha, n)25Mg and 22Ne(alpha,gamma)26Mg reactions, with uncertainties that have been considerably reduced compared to previous estimates, and we study how these new rates affect the production of the heavy magnesium isotopes in models of intermediate mass Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars of different initial compositions. All the models have deep third dredge-up, hot bottom burning and mass loss. Calculations have been performed using the two most commonly used estimates of the 22Ne + alpha rates as well as the new recommended rates, and with combinations of their upper and lower limits. The main result of the present study is that with the new rates, uncertainties on the production of isotopes from Mg to P coming from the 22Ne + alpha-capture rates have been considerably reduced. We have therefore removed one of the important sources of uncertainty to effect models of AGB stars. We have studied the effects of varying the mass-loss rate on nucleosynthesis and discuss other uncertainties related to the physics employed in the computation of stellar structure, such as the modeling of convection, the inclusion of a partial mixing zone and the definition of convective borders. These uncertainties are found to be much larger than those coming from 22Ne + alpha-capture rates, when using our new estimates. Much effort is needed to improve the situation for AGB models.

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