Massive stars and short-lived radionuclides in the Solar System

Abstract

Short-lived radionuclides (SLRs) are radioactive elements (T 1/2 ≺ 200 Myr) which were present in the nascent solar system and are now extinct. While the initial abundance of SLRs with the longest half-lives (T 1/2 ≻ 3 Myr) is compatible with the expectations of Galactic evolution models, others have a last-minute origin. 7 Be, 10 Be, 36 Cl, and 41 Ca probably originated within the protoplanetary disk from the irradiation of gas and dust by energetic particles accelerated by the protoSun. 26 Al and 60 Fe were probably synthesized by massive stars and added to interstellar gas which will eventually make up the bulk of our solar system. Identifying the detailed mechanisms of 26 Al and 60 Fe production and mixing will shed a light on the relationship between the Sun formation history and massive stars.