arXiv subjects

John J. Cowan

Publications and source records attributed to John J. Cowan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2010

New Abundance Determinations of Cadmium, Lutetium, and Osmium in the r-process Enriched Star BD+173248

We report the detection of Cd I (Z = 48), Lu II (Z = 71), and Os II (Z = 76) in the metal-poor star BD+173248. These abundances are derived from an ultraviolet spectrum obtained with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope. This is the first detection of these neutron-capture species in a metal-poor star enriched by the r-process. We supplement these measurements with new abundances of Mo I, Ru I, and Rh I derived from an optical spectrum obtained with the High Resolution Echelle Spectrograph on Keck. Combined with previous abundance derivations, 32 neutron-capture elements have been detected in BD+173248, the most complete neutron-capture abundance pattern in any metal-poor star to date. The light neutron-capture elements (38 <= Z <= 48) show a more pronounced even-odd effect than expected from current Solar system r-process abundance predictions. The age for BD+173248 derived from the Th II/Os II chronometer is in better agreement with the age derived from other chronometers than the age derived from Th II/Os I. New Hf II abundance derivations from transitions in the ultraviolet are lower than those derived from transitions in the optical, and the lower Hf abundance is in better agreement with the scaled Solar system r-process distribution.

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arXiv2009

Empirically Derived Integrated Stellar Yields of Fe-Peak Elements

We present here the initial results of a new study of massive star yields of Fe-peak elements. We have compiled from the literature a database of carefully determined solar neighborhood stellar abundances of seven iron-peak elements, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni and then plotted [X/Fe] versus [Fe/H] to study the trends as functions of metallicity. Chemical evolution models were then employed to force a fit to the observed trends by adjusting the input massive star metallicity-sensitive yields of Kobayashi et al. Our results suggest that yields of Ti, V, and Co are generally larger as well as anticorrelated with metallicity, in contrast to the Kobayashi et al. predictions. We also find the yields of Cr and Mn to be generally smaller and directly correlated with metallicity compared to the theoretical results. Our results for Ni are consistent with theory, although our model suggests that all Ni yields should be scaled up slightly. The outcome of this exercise is the computation of a set of integrated yields, i.e., stellar yields weighted by a slightly flattened time-independent Salpeter initial mass function and integrated over stellar mass, for each of the above elements at several metallicity points spanned by the broad range of observations. These results are designed to be used as empirical constraints on future iron-peak yield predictions by stellar evolution modelers. Special attention is paid to the interesting behavior of [Cr/Co] with metallicity -- these two elements have opposite slopes -- as well as the indirect correlation of [Ti/Fe] with [Fe/H]. These particular trends, as well as those exhibited by the inferred integrated yields of all iron-peak elements with metallicity, are discussed in terms of both supernova nucleosynthesis and atomic physics.

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arXiv2009

The End of Nucleosynthesis: Production of Lead and Thorium in the Early Galaxy

We examine the Pb and Th abundances in 27 metal-poor stars (-3.1 < [Fe/H] < -1.4) whose very heavy metal (Z > 56) enrichment was produced only by the rapid (r-) nucleosynthesis process. New abundances are derived from HST/STIS, Keck/HIRES, and VLT/UVES spectra and combined with other measurements from the literature to form a more complete picture of nucleosynthesis of the heaviest elements produced in the r-process. In all cases, the abundance ratios among the rare earth elements and the 3rd r-process peak elements considered (La, Eu, Er, Hf, and Ir) are constant and equivalent to the scaled solar system r-process abundance distribution. We compare the stellar observations with r-process calculations within the classical "waiting-point" approximation. In these computations a superposition of 15 weighted neutron-density components in the range 23 < log(n_n) < 30 is fit to the r-process abundance peaks to successfully reproduce both the stable solar system isotopic distribution and the stable heavy element abundance pattern between Ba and U in low-metallicity stars. Under these astrophysical conditions, which are typical of the "main" r-process, we find very good agreement between the stellar Pb r-process abundances and those predicted by our model. For stars with anomalously high Th/Eu ratios (the so-called actinide boost), our observations demonstrate that any nucleosynthetic deviations from the main r-process affect--at most--only the elements beyond the 3rd r-process peak, namely Pb, Th, and U. Our theoretical calculations also indicate that possible r-process abundance "losses" by nuclear fission are negligible for isotopes along the r-process path between Pb and the long-lived radioactive isotopes of Th and U.

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arXiv2009

New Rare Earth Element Abundance Distributions for the Sun and Five r-Process-Rich Very Metal-Poor Stars

We have derived new abundances of the rare-earth elements Pr, Dy, Tm, Yb, and Lu for the solar photosphere and for five very metal-poor, neutron-capture r-process-rich giant stars. The photospheric values for all five elements are in good agreement with meteoritic abundances. For the low metallicity sample, these abundances have been combined with new Ce abundances from a companion paper, and reconsideration of a few other elements in individual stars, to produce internally-consistent Ba, rare-earth, and Hf (56<= Z <= 72) element distributions. These have been used in a critical comparison between stellar and solar r-process abundance mixes.

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arXiv2008

The Hobby-Eberly Telescope "Chemical Abundances of Stars in the Halo" (CASH) Project. I. The Lithium-, s-, and r-Enhanced Metal-Poor Giant HKII 17435-00532

We present the first detailed abundance analysis of the metal-poor giant HKII 17435-00532. This star was observed as part of the University of Texas long-term project "Chemical Abundances of Stars in the Halo" (CASH). A spectrum was obtained with the High Resolution Spectrograph (HRS) on the Hobby-Eberly Telescope with a resolving power of R~15,000. Our analysis reveals that this star may be located on the red giant branch, red horizontal branch, or early asymptotic giant branch. We find that this metal-poor ([Fe/H]=-2.2) star has an unusually high lithium abundance (log eps (Li)=+2.1), mild carbon ([C/Fe]=+0.7) and sodium ([Na/Fe]=+0.6) enhancement, as well as enhancement of both s-process ([Ba/Fe]=+0.8) and r-process ([Eu/Fe]=+0.5) material. The high Li abundance can be explained by self-enrichment through extra mixing that connects the convective envelope with the outer regions of the H-burning shell. If so, HKII 17435-00532 is the most metal-poor star in which this short-lived phase of Li enrichment has been observed. The Na and n-capture enrichment can be explained by mass transfer from a companion that passed through the thermally-pulsing AGB phase of evolution with only a small initial enrichment of r-process material present in the birth cloud. Despite the current non-detection of radial velocity variations (over ~180 days), it is possible that HKII 17435-00532 is in a long-period or highly-inclined binary system, similar to other stars with similar n-capture enrichment patterns.

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arXiv2007

Europium, Samarium, and Neodymium Isotopic Fractions in Metal-Poor Stars

We have derived isotopic fractions of europium, samarium, and neodymium in two metal-poor giants with differing neutron-capture nucleosynthetic histories. These isotopic fractions were measured from new high resolution (R ~ 120,000), high signal-to-noise (S/N ~ 160-1000) spectra obtained with the 2dCoude spectrograph of McDonald Observatory's 2.7m Smith telescope. Synthetic spectra were generated using recent high-precision laboratory measurements of hyperfine and isotopic subcomponents of several transitions of these elements and matched quantitatively to the observed spectra. We interpret our isotopic fractions by the nucleosynthesis predictions of the stellar model, which reproduces s-process nucleosynthesis from the physical conditions expected in low-mass, thermally-pulsing stars on the AGB, and the classical method, which approximates s-process nucleosynthesis by a steady neutron flux impinging upon Fe-peak seed nuclei. Our Eu isotopic fraction in HD 175305 is consistent with an r-process origin by the classical method and is consistent with either an r- or an s-process origin by the stellar model. Our Sm isotopic fraction in HD 175305 suggests a predominantly r-process origin, and our Sm isotopic fraction in HD 196944 is consistent with an s-process origin. The Nd isotopic fractions, while consistent with either r-process or s-process origins, have very little ability to distinguish between any physical values for the isotopic fraction in either star. This study for the first time extends the n-capture origin of multiple rare earths in metal-poor stars from elemental abundances to the isotopic level, strengthening the r-process interpretation for HD 175305 and the s-process interpretation for HD196944.

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arXiv2007

Explorations of the r-Processes: Comparisons between Calculations and Observations of Low-Metallicity Stars

Abundances of heavier elements (barium and beyond) in many neutron-capture-element-rich halo stars accurately replicate the solar system r-process pattern. However, abundances of lighter neutron-capture elements in these stars are not consistent with the solar system pattern. These comparisons suggest contributions from two distinct types of r-process synthesis events -- a so called main r-process for the elements above the 2nd r-process peak and a weak r-process for the lighter neutron-capture elements. We have performed r-process theoretical predictions to further explore the implications of the solar and stellar observations. We find that the isotopic composition of barium and the elemental Ba/Eu abundance ratios in r-process-rich low metallicity stars can only be matched by computations in which the neutron densities are in the range 23< log n_n < 28, values typical of the main r-process. For r-process conditions that successfully generate the heavy element pattern extending down to A=135, the relative abundance of I129 produced in this mass region appears to be at least 90% of the observed solar value. Finally, in the neutron number density ranges required for production of the observed solar/stellar 3rd r-process-peak (A~200), the predicted abundances of inter-peak element hafnium (Z=72, A~180) follow closely those of 3rd-peak elements and lead. Hf, observable from the ground and close in mass number to the 3rd r-process-peak elements, might also be utilized as part of a new nuclear chronometer pair, Th/Hf, for stellar age determinations.

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arXiv2006

In Memory of Al Cameron

Al Cameron, who died recently (October 3, 2005) at 80, was one of the giants in astrophysics. His insights were profound and his interests were wide-ranging. Originally trained as a nuclear physicist, he made major contributions in a number of fields, including nuclear reactions in stars, nucleosynthesis, the abundances of the elements in the Solar System, and the origin of the Solar System and the Moon. In 1957, Cameron and, independently, Burbidge, Burbidge, Fowler and Hoyle, wrote seminal papers on nuclear astrophysics. Most of our current ideas concerning element formation in stars have followed from those two pioneering and historical works. Al also made many contributions in the field of Solar System physics. Particularly noteworthy in this regard was Cameron's work on the formation of the Moon. Al was also a good friend and mentor of young people. Al Cameron will be missed by many in the community both for his scientific contributions and for his friendship.

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arXiv2006

Nucleosynthesis: Stellar and Solar Abundances and Atomic Data

Abundance observations indicate the presence of often surprisingly large amounts of neutron capture (i.e., s- and r-process) elements in old Galactic halo and globular cluster stars. These observations provide insight into the nature of the earliest generations of stars in the Galaxy -- the progenitors of the halo stars -- responsible for neutron-capture synthesis. Comparisons of abundance trends can be used to understand the chemical evolution of the Galaxy and the nature of heavy element nucleosynthesis. In addition age determinations, based upon long-lived radioactive nuclei abundances, can now be obtained. These stellar abundance determinations depend critically upon atomic data. Improved laboratory transition probabilities have been recently obtained for a number of elements. These new gf values have been used to greatly refine the abundances of neutron-capture elemental abundances in the solar photosphere and in very metal-poor Galactic halo stars. The newly determined stellar abundances are surprisingly consistent with a (relative) Solar System r-process pattern, and are also consistent with abundance predictions expected from such neutron-capture nucleosynthesis.

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arXiv2006

Near-UV Observations of HD221170: New Insights into the Nature of r-Process-Rich Stars

Employing high resolution spectra obtained with the near-UV sensitive detector on the Keck I HIRES, supplemented by data obtained with the McDonald Observatory 2-d coude, we have performed a comprehensive chemical composition analysis of the bright r-process-rich metal-poor red giant star HD221170. Analysis of 57 individual neutral and ionized species yielded abundances for a total of 46 elements and significant upper limits for an additional five. Model stellar atmosphere parameters were derived with the aid of ~200 Fe-peak transitions. From more than 350 transitions of 35 neutron-capture (Z > 30) species, abundances for 30 neutron-capture elements and upper limits for three others were derived. Utilizing 36 transitions of La, 16 of Eu, and seven of Th, we derive ratios of log epsilon(Th/La) = -0.73 (sigma = 0.06) and log epsilon(Th/Eu) = -0.60 (sigma = 0.05), values in excellent agreement with those previously derived for other r-process-rich metal-poor stars such as CS22892-052, BD+17 3248, and HD115444. Based upon the Th/Eu chronometer, the inferred age is 11.7 +/- 2.8 Gyr. The abundance distribution of the heavier neutron-capture elements (Z >= 56) is fit well by the predicted scaled solar system r-process abundances, as also seen in other r-process-rich stars. Unlike other r-process-rich stars, however, we find that the abundances of the lighter neutron-capture elements (37 < Z < 56) in HD221170 are also statistically in better agreement with the abundances predicted for the scaled solar r-process pattern.

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arXiv2005

Near-UV Observations of CS29497-030: New Constraints on Neutron-Capture Nucleosynthesis Processes

Employing spectra obtained with the new Keck I HIRES near-UV sensitive detector, we have performed a comprehensive chemical composition analysis of the binary blue metal-poor star CS29497-030. Abundances for 29 elements and upper limits for an additional seven have been derived, concentrating on elements largely produced via neutron-capture nucleosynthesis. Included in our analysis are the two elements that define the termination point of the slow neutron-capture process, lead and bismuth. We determine an extremely high value of [Pb/Fe] = +3.65 +/- 0.07 (sigma = 0.13) from three features, supporting the single-feature result obtained in previous studies. We also detect Bi for the first time in a metal-poor star. Our derived Bi/Pb ratio is in accord with those predicted from the most recent FRANEC calculations of the slow neutron-capture process in low-mass AGB stars. We find that the neutron-capture elemental abundances of CS29497-030 are best explained by an AGB model that also includes very significant amounts of pre-enrichment of rapid neutron-capture process material in the protostellar cloud out of which the CS29497-030 binary system formed. Thus, CS29497-030 is both an ``r+s'' and ``extrinsic AGB'' star. Furthermore, we find that the mass of the AGB model can be further constrained by the abundance of the light odd-element [Na/Fe] which is sensitive to the neutron excess.

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arXiv2005

HST Observations of Heavy Elements in Metal-Poor Galactic Halo Stars

We present new abundance determinations of neutron-capture elements Ge, Zr, Os, Ir, and Pt in a sample of 11 metal-poor (-3.1 <= [Fe/H] <= -1.6) Galactic halo giant stars, based on Hubble Space Telescope UV and Keck I optical high-resolution spectroscopy. The stellar sample is dominated by r-process-rich stars such as the well-studied CS 22892-052 and bd+173248, but also includes the r-process-poor, bright giant HD 122563. Our results demonstrate that abundances of the 3rd r-process peak elements Os, Ir and Pt in these metal-poor halo stars are very well-correlated among themselves, and with the abundances of the canonical r-process element Eu (determined in other studies), thus arguing for a common origin or site for r-process nucleosynthesis of heavier (Z>56) elements. However, the large (and correlated) scatters of [Eu,Os,Ir,Pt/Fe] suggests that the heaviest neutron-capture r-process elements are not formed in all supernovae. In contrast, the Ge abundances of all program stars track their Fe abundances, very well. An explosive process on iron-peak nuclei (e.g., the alpha-rich freeze-out in supernovae), rather than neutron capture, appears to have been the dominant synthesis mechanism for this element at low metallicities -- Ge abundances seem completely uncorrelated with Eu.

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arXiv2004

Neutron-Capture Element Abundances in Halo Stars

We present new abundance observations of neutron-capture elements in Galactic stars. These include new Hubble Space Telescope (HST) detections of the elements Ge, Zr and Pt in a group of 11 halo stars. Correlations between these elements and Eu (obtained with ground-based observations), and with respect to metallicity, are also presented.

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arXiv2004

Halo Star Abundances and Heavy Element Nucleosynthesis

We present new Hubble Space Telescope (HST) abundance observations of the neutron-capture elements Ge, Zr, Os and Pt in a group of 11 Galactic halo stars, including the well studied r-process rich CS 22892-052 and the r-process poor, bright giant HD 122563. Abundance comparisons indicate that the third r-process peak elements Pt and Os seem to be correlated with Eu (obtained with ground-based observations) in these metal-poor halo stars, suggesting a common origin or site for these three n-capture elements.

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arXiv2004

The Nature of SN 1961V

The nature of SN 1961V has been uncertain. Its peculiar optical light curve and slow expansion velocity are similar to those of super-outbursts of luminous blue variables (LBVs), but its nonthermal radio spectral index and declining radio luminosity are consistent with decades-old supernovae (SNe). We have obtained Hubble Space Telescope STIS images and spectra of the stars in the vicinity of SN 1961V, and find Object 7 identified by Filippenko et al. to be the closest to the optical and radio positions of SN 1961V. Object 7 is the only point source detected in our STIS spectra and only its H-alpha emission is detected; it cannot be the SN or its remnant because of the absence of forbidden lines. While the H-alpha line profile of Object 7 is remarkably similar to that of eta Car, the blue color (similar to an A2Ib supergiant) and lack of appreciable variability are unlike known post-outburst LBVs. We have also obtained Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations of SN 1961V at 18 cm. The non-detection of SN 1961V places a lower limit on the size of the radio-emitting region, 7.6 mas or 0.34 pc, which implies an average expansion velocity in excess of 4,400 km/s, much higher than the optical expansion velocity measured in 1961. We conclude the following: (1) A SN occurred in the vicinity of SN 1961V a few decades ago. (2) If the SN 1961V light maximum originates from a giant eruption of a massive star, Object 7 is the most probable candidate for the survivor, but its blue color and lack of significant variability are different from a post-outburst eta Car. (3) The radio SN and Object 7 could be physically associated with each other through a binary system. (4) Object 7 needs to be monitored to determine its nature and relationship to SN 1961V.

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arXiv2003

Advances in r-Process Nucleosynthesis

During the last several decades, there have been a number of advances in understanding the rapid neutron-capture process (i.e., the r-process). These advances include large quantities of high-resolution spectroscopic abundance data of neutron-capture elements, improved astrophysical models, and increasingly more precise nuclear and atomic physics data. The elemental abundances of the heavy neutron-capture elements, from Ba through the third r-process peak, in low-metallicity ([Fe/H] <~ -2.5) Galactic halo stars are consistent with the scaled (i.e., relative) solar system r-process abundance distribution. These abundance comparisons suggest that for elements with Z >= 56 the r-process is robust--appearing to operate in a relatively consistent manner over the history of the Galaxy--and place stringent constraints on r-process models. While not yet identified, neutron-rich ejecta outside of the core in a collapsing (Type II, Ib) supernova continues to be a promising site for the r-process. Neutron star binary mergers might also be a possible alternative site. Abundance comparisons of lighter n-capture elements in halo stars show variations with the scaled solar r-process curve and might suggest either multiple r-process sites, or, at least, different synthesis conditions in the same astrophysical site. Constraints on r-process models and clues to the progenitors of the halo stars--the earliest generations of Galactic stars--are also provided by the star-to-star abundance scatter of [Eu/Fe] at low metallicities in the early Galaxy. Finally, abundance observations of long-lived radioactive elements (such as Th and U) produced in the r-process can be used to determine the chronometric ages of the oldest stars, placing constraints on the lower limit age estimates of the Galaxy and the Universe.

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arXiv2002

A Search for Radio Emission from Supernovae With Ages from About One Week to More Than 80 Years

We report VLA radio observations of 29 SNe with ages ranging from 10 days to about 90 years past explosion. These observations significantly contribute to the existing data pool on such objects. Included are detections of known radio SNe~1950B, 1957D, 1970G, 1983N, the suspected radio SN 1923A, and the possible radio SN 1961V. None of the remaining 23 observations resulted in detections, providing further evidence to support the observed trend that most SNe are not detectable radio emitters. To investigate the apparent lack of radio emission from the SNe reported here, we have followed standard practice and used Chevalier's ``standard model'' to derive (upper limits to) the mass-loss rates for the super nova progenitors. These upper limits to the fluxes are consistent with a lack of circumstellar material needed to provide detectable radio emission for SNe at these ages and distances. Comparison of the radio luminosities of these supernovae as a function of age past explosion to other well-observed radio SNe indicates that the Type II SNe upper limits are more consistent with the extrapolated light curves of SN 1980K than of SN 1979C, suggesting that SN 1980K may be a more typical radio emitter than SN 1979C. For completeness, we have included an appendix where the results of analyses of the non-SN radio sources are presented. Where possible, we make (tentative) identifications of these sources using various methods.

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arXiv2002

The r-Process and Chronometers

We present detailed abundance observations of the metal-poor ([Fe/H] = --2.0) Galactic halo star BD+17 3248. We have detected gold in this star, for the first time in any halo star. We also detected a weak line at 3859.60 A in the spectrum of BD+17 3248 that we tentatively identify with uranium. This would be only the second such detection of this radioactive element in any metal-poor halo stars. Similarly to the case of CS 22892--052, the heavier n-capture elements (Z >= 56) fall on the scaled solar system r-process abundance curve, while the elements with Z = 40--50 in BD+17 3248 fall below that same solar curve. Employing the newly detected Th, U and third r-process peak element (e.g., Pt, Ir) abundances, chronometric age estimates have been made for BD+17 3248. The average value of the various chronometric pairs suggests an age of 13.8 +/- 4 Gyr for this star, consistent, within error limits, with other chronometric age determinations for metal-poor Galactic halo stars.

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