Abstract
A new effect hitherto not included in nuclear cosmochronological studies is introduced. This effect is based on the recent suggestion that photonuclear reactions occurring in the hydrogen burning regions of stellar interiors can selectively destroy a large fraction of the actinide isotopes initially present there. It is calculated that 10-20 percent of the actinide nuclei initially present in a massive star can be destroyed by such processes. It is demonstrated how this destruction can have important consequences for those chronometric studies which are based on observed actinide abundances. In particular, it is shown how the upper limit to the galactic age originally inferred from the Th/Nd cosmochronometer is increased by as much as 30 percent by this effect. A much smaller increase in the galactic age inferred from the solar system chronometers is determined.
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