Nuclear data for astrophysics

Abstract

In order to address important astrophysics problems such as the origin of the chemical elements, the inner workings of our Sun, and the evolution of stars, crucial nuclear datasets are needed. Recent evaluation and dissemination efforts have produced a number of such datasets, many of which are online and readily available to the research community. Current international efforts in this field are, unfortunately, insufficient to keep pace with the latest nuclear physics measurements and model calculations. A dedicated effort is required to update and expand existing datasets. I discuss several strategies and new initiatives that would ensure a more effective utilization of nuclear data in astrophysics. These include launching a new web site www.nucastrodata.org to aid in locating available nuclear data sets, and an interactive online plotting program with an easy-to-use graphical user interface to over 8000 reaction rates. An enhanced effort in this field could be maintained by formalizing the position of a Nuclear Astrophysics Data Coordinator.