Low-mass Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars Research Articles

Barium stars as tracers of s -process nucleosynthesis in AGB stars III. Systematic deviations from the AGB models

Barium (Ba) stars help to verify asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star nucleosynthesis models since they experienced pollution from an AGB binary companion and thus their spectra carry the signatures of the slow neutron capture process ($s$ process). For a large number (180) of Ba stars, we searched for AGB stellar models that match the observed abundance patterns. We aim to uncover any systematic deviations of the sample abundances from the predictions of the nucleosynthesis models. We employed three machine learning algorithms as classifiers: a Random Forest method, developed for this work, and the two classifiers used in our previous study. Compared to that work, we also expanded our observational sample with 11 Ba stars available in the supersolar metallicity range. We studied the statistical behaviour of the different $s$-process elements in the observational sample to investigate if the AGB models systematically under- or overpredict the abundances observed in the Ba stars and show the results in the form of violin plots of the residuals between spectroscopic abundances and model predictions. We inspected the correlations between the observed Fe/H the $s$-process elemental abundances, and the residuals. We employed the Zr/Fe and Nb/Fe abundances as a thermometer to constrain the operational temperature that rules the production of these elements in the sample stars, assuming a steady-state $s$ process. We also investigated the mass distribution of the identified polluter AGB stars and the behaviour of the delta parameter, which describes the fraction of accreted AGB material relative to the Ba star envelope. We find a significant trend in the residuals that implies an underproduction of the elements just after the first $s$-process peak (Nb, Mo, and Ru) in the models relative to the observations. This may originate from a neutron-capture process (e.g. the intermediate neutron-capture process, $i$ process) not yet included in the AGB models of metallicity from solar to roughly 1/5 solar, corresponding to the range of the Ba stars. Correlations are found between the residuals of these peculiar elements, suggesting a common origin for the deviations from the models. In addition, there is a weak metallicity dependence of the residuals of these elements. The $s$-process temperatures derived with the Zr/Fe Nb/Fe thermometer have an unrealistic value for the majority of our stars. The most likely explanation is that at least a fraction of these elements are not produced in a steady-state $s$ process, and instead may be due to processes not included in the AGB models. The mass distribution of the identified models confirms that our sample of Ba stars was polluted by low-mass AGB stars (< 4 Most of the matching AGB models require low accreted mass, but a few systems with high accreted mass are needed to explain the observations.

Abundance of strontium in the Galactic globular cluster 47 Tuc

Aims. We have determined Sr abundance in a sample of 31 red giant branch stars located in the Galactic globular cluster 47 Tuc with the aim to identify potential differences in the Sr abundance between first population (1P, Na-poor) and second population (2P, Na-rich) stars. Methods. We derived the Na and Sr abundances from the archival spectra obtained with the UVES spectrograph. To do this, we used 1D ATLAS9 model atmospheres and a 1D local thermodynamic equilibrium spectral synthesis method. Particular attention was paid to assessing the potential impact of CN line blending on the obtained Sr abundances. Furthermore, we evaluated the potential influence of convection on the Sr line formation by using 3D hydrodynamical model atmospheres computed with the CO5 BOLD code. Results. Our results suggest a weak correlation between the abundances of Sr and Na. Together with a similar correlation between the abundances of Zr and Na determined in our previous study, our analysis of Sr suggests that polluters that have enriched 2P stars with light elements may have produced some s-process elements as well. The mean Sr abundance determined in 31 red giant branch stars of 47 Tuc is ⟨[Sr/Fe]⟩ = 0.18 ± 0.08 (the error denotes the standard deviation due to the star-to-star abundance scatter). This value is within the range of the Sr abundance variation that is observed in Galactic field stars of similar metallicity. The mean [Sr/Zr] abundance ratio in our sample stars suggests that the two s-process elements could have been synthesized by either low-mass asymptotic giant branch stars (M = 1 − 4 M⊙) or massive (M = 10 − 20 M⊙) fast-rotating (vrot = 200 − 300 km s−1) stars.

A comparative study of three modes of s-process nucleosynthesis in extremely metal-poor AGB stars

Abstract Carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars in the Galactic halo have a wide range of neutron-capture element abundance patterns. To identify their origin, we investigate three modes of s-process nucleosynthesis that have been proposed to operate in extremely metal-poor asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars: convective 13C burning, which occurs when hydrogen is engulfed by helium-flash convection in low-mass AGB stars; convective 22Ne burning, which occurs in helium-flash convection of intermediate-mass AGB stars; and radiative 13C burning, which occurs in the 13C pocket that is formed during inter-pulse periods. We show that the production of s-process elements per iron seed (s-process efficiency) does not depend on metallicity below [Fe$/$H] = −2, because 16O in the helium zone dominates the neutron poison. The convective 13C mode can produce a variety of s-process efficiencies for Sr, Ba, and Pb, including the maxima observed among CEMP stars. The 22Ne mode only produces the lowest end of s-process efficiencies among CEMP models. We show that the combination of these two modes can explain the full range of observed enrichment of s-process elements in CEMP stars. In contrast, the 13C pocket mode can hardly explain the high level of enrichment observed in some CEMP stars, even if considering star-to-star variations of the mass of the 13C pocket. These results provide a basis for discussing the binary mass transfer origin of CEMP stars and their subgroups.

The complex stellar system M 22: constraining the chemical enrichment from AGB stars using magnesium isotope ratios

ABSTRACT The complex star cluster M 22 (NGC 6656) provides a unique opportunity for studying the slow neutron capture (s-)process nucleosynthesis at low metallicity due to its two stellar groups with distinct iron-peak and neutron capture element abundances. Previous studies attribute these abundance differences to pollution from $3-6 \ \rm {M}_{\odot }$ asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars which produce significant quantities of the neutron-rich Mg isotopes 25Mg and 26Mg. We report the first-ever measurements of Mg isotopic abundance ratios at $\rm {[Fe/H]} \ \sim -2$ in a globular cluster-like system using very high-resolution and signal-to-noise spectra (R = 110 000, S/N = 300 per pixel at 514 nm) from the VLT/UVES spectrograph for six stars; three in each s-process group. Despite the presence of star-to-star variations in 24Mg, 25Mg, and 26Mg, we find no correlation with heavy element abundances, implying that the nucleosynthetic source of s-process enrichment must not influence Mg isotope ratios. Instead, a key result of this work is that we identify correlations between 26Mg/24Mg and some light elements. Using a custom suite of AGB nucleosynthesis yields tailored to the metallicity of M 22, we find that low mass ($\sim 1 \rm {-} 3 \ \rm {M}_{\odot }$) AGB stars are capable of reproducing the observed s-process abundances of M 22 and that the absence of any difference in Mg isotope ratios between the two s-process groups precludes AGBs with masses above $\sim 3 \ \rm {M}_{\odot }$. This places tighter constraints on possible formation scenarios and suggests an age difference of at least $\sim 280 \rm {-} 480 \ \rm {Myr}$ between the two populations which is independent of isochrone fitting.

A Novel, Low-Cost, Position-Sensitive Neutron Detector to Support Thick-Target Inverse Kinematics Experiments for Nuclear Data Measurements

High quality nuclear data lie at the heart of accurately modelling stellar systems and terrestrial nuclear reactors. However, some key reaction cross sections have large uncertainties, which limit such models in predicting isotopic abundances and other aspects of stellar evolution, along with key operational parameters for nuclear reactors. Reactions involving neutrons are particularly difficult to measure experimentally in laboratories, not least due to the unique challenges involved when detecting neutrons. We present a new approach to measuring nuclear reactions involving neutrons by exploiting the Thick-Target Inverse Kinematics (TTIK) approach. For such measurements, a new detector called ATTIKUS (A Thick-Target Inverse Kinematics detector by Universities in Sheffield) is under construction. Here we present designs and Geant4 Monte-Carlo simulations of the detector. The simulations indicate that a neutron position reconstruction resolution of 10 cm is obtainable and demonstrate how this device could be applied to the 13C(α,n) reaction, which is considered to be the main neutron source for the s-process in low-mass Asymptotic Giant Branch stars. In the TTIK method, the emission position of the neutron (the nuclear interaction position in a gaseous target) is directly linked to the centre-of-mass energy of the reaction. Therefore, a position resolution will translate into an energy resolution, depending on the beam-target combination. The inverse reaction, 16O(n,α), causes a large uncertainty in calculating the effective neutron multiplication factor, Keff in nuclear reactors, so improvements are required here.

Fictitious neutron sinks to trace radiative s-process nucleosynthesis

Context. Asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars are strong producers of s-process elements, which are synthesized by successive slow neutron captures on elements heavier than iron. The nucleosynthesis calculation involves solving large nuclear networks with hundreds of nuclei, which in a stellar evolution code can greatly extend the computational time. However, the s-process is often measured using a handful of elements located on the neutron magic shells and grouped into tracers called ls, hs, and vhs. Aims. We propose a fictitious network that approximates the production of ls, hs, and vhs species at a minimal computational expense. The network is specifically designed for the radiative s-process in AGB stars. It is an alternative to methods using large networks that can be used as a fast exploratory tool to trace the production of s-elements. Methods. The fictitious network was constructed by assembling species with Z ≥ 18 into seven fictitious particles whose abundances and reaction rates model the effective properties of the corresponding groups. The effective reaction rates were tabulated as a function of neutron density and number of neutrons captured per initial heavy seed (Ncapt) using single-zone nucleosynthesis calculations. The accuracy of our network was tested by comparing the abundances obtained with the fictitious and large networks during the radiative burning of 13C during the interpulse period of a 2 M⊙, [Fe/H] = −2 star. Results. The fictitious network reliably reproduces the abundances of ls, hs, and vhs species during the radiative s-process. The accuracy of the method increases with the strength of the nucleosynthesis as measured by Ncapt, but diminishes when the nuclear distribution is different from the initial distribution. This network is well suited to follow the s-process nucleosynthesis in low-mass AGB stars where neutrons are mainly produced below the envelope by the 13C(α, n) reaction.

Presolar silicon carbide grains of types Y and Z: their strontium and barium isotopic compositions and stellar origins

We report the Sr and Ba isotopic compositions of 18 presolar SiC grains of types Y (11) and Z (7), rare types commonly argued to have formed in lower-than-solar metallicity asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. We find that the Y and Z grains show higher 88Sr/87Sr and more variable 138Ba/136Ba ratios than mainstream (MS) grains. According to FRANEC Torino AGB models, the Si, Sr, and Ba isotopic compositions of our Y and Z grains can be consistently explained if the grains came from low mass AGB stars with 0.15 Zsun <= Z < 1.00 Zsun, in which the 13C neutron exposure for the slow neutron-capture process is greatly reduced with respect to that required by MS grains for a 1.0 Z8 AGB star. This scenario is in line with the previous finding based on Ti isotopes, but it fails to explain the indistinguishable Mo isotopic compositions of MS, Y, and Z grains.

Synthesis of thorium and uranium in asymptotic giant branch stars

Context. The intermediate neutron capture process (i-process) operates at neutron densities between those of the slow and rapid neutron-capture processes. It is believed to be triggered by the ingestion of protons in a convective helium-burning region. One possible astrophysical site is low-mass low-metallicity asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. Aims. Although it has been widely believed that actinides, and most particularly Th and U, are exclusively produced by explosive r-process nucleosynthesis, we study here the possibility that actinides may also be significantly synthesized through i-process nucleosynthesis in AGB stars. Methods. We computed a 1 M⊙ model at [Fe/H] = −2.5 with the stellar evolution code STAREVOL. We used a nuclear network of 1160 species from H to Cf coupled to the transport processes. Models of various resolutions (temporal and spatial) that use different nuclear datasets are also considered for the analysis. Results. During the proton ingestion event, the neutron density in our AGB model goes up to ∼1015 cm−3 and is shown to be high enough to give rise to the production of actinides. While most of the nuclear flow cycles in the neutron-rich Pb–Bi–Po region, a non-negligible fraction leaks towards heavier elements and eventually synthesizes actinides. The surface enrichment in Th and U is subject to nuclear and astrophysical model uncertainties that could be lowered in the future, in particular by a detailed analysis of the nuclear inputs that affect the neutron capture rates of neutron-rich isotopes between Pb and Pa, along the i-process path. One stellar candidate that may confirm the production of actinides by the i-process is the carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) r/s star RAVE J094921.8−161722, which shows Th lines in its spectrum. Its surface abundance is shown to be reasonably well reproduced by our AGB model, though abundances of light N ≃ 50 elements remain underestimated. Combined with cosmochronometry, this finding opens the way to dating the i-process event and thus obtaining a lower limit for the age of CEMP-r/s stars. Such a dating is expected to be accurate only if surface abundances of Th and U can be extracted simultaneously. Conclusions. We show that actinides can be synthesized in low-metallicity low-mass AGB stars through the i-process. This astrophysical site therefore potentially contributes to the Galactic enrichment of Th and U, which demonstrates that the r-process may not be the sole mechanism for the production of U and Th.

CAPOS: The bulge Cluster APOgee Survey

We performed the first detailed spectral analysis of red giant members of the relatively high-metallicity globular cluster (GC) Tononzintla 2 (Ton 2) using high-resolution near-infrared spectra collected with the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment II survey (APOGEE-2), obtained as part of the bulge Cluster APOgee Survey. We investigated chemical abundances for a variety of species including the light, odd-Z, α-, Fe-peak, and neutron-capture elements from high S/N spectra of seven giant members. The derived mean cluster metallicity is [Fe/H] = −0.70 ± 0.05, with no evidence for an intrinsic metallicity spread. Ton 2 exhibits a typical α-enrichment that follows the trend for high-metallicity Galactic GCs, similar to that seen in 47 Tucanae and NGC 6380. We find a significant nitrogen spread (&gt; 0.87 dex), and a large fraction of nitrogen-enriched stars that populate the cluster. Given the relatively high-metallicity of Ton 2, these nitrogen-enriched stars are well above the typical Galactic levels, indicating the prevalence of the multiple-population phenomenon in this cluster that also contains several stars with typical low first-generation N abundances. We also identify the presence of [Ce/Fe] abundance spread in Ton 2, which is correlated with the nitrogen enhancement, indicating that the s-process enrichment in this cluster has likely been produced by relatively low-mass asymptotic giant branch stars. Furthermore, we find a mean radial velocity of the cluster, −178.6 ± 0.86 km s−1, with a small velocity dispersion, 2.99 ± 0.61 km s−1, which is typical of GCs. We also find a prograde bulge-like orbit for Ton 2 that appears to be radial and highly eccentric. Finally, the considerably nitrogen-enhanced population observed in Ton 2, combined with its dynamical properties, makes this object a potential progenitor for the nitrogen-enriched field stars identified so far toward the bulge region at similar metallicity.

First direct limit on the 395 keV resonance of the 22Ne(α, γ)26Mg reaction

The 22Ne(α, γ)26Mg reaction (Q = 10614.74 keV) competes with the 22Ne(α, n)25Mg reaction (Q = −478.34 keV) which is the main source of neutrons for the s-process in low-mass Asymptotic Giant Branch and massive stars. The cross sections of these reactions are crucial to fix the cross over temperature at which (α, n) rate exceeds the (α, γ) one. Moreover, the uncertainty on the 22Ne(α, γ)26Mg reaction rate affects also the nucleosynthesis of isotopes between 26Mg and 31P in intermediate-mass stars. At lower temperatures (T &lt; 300 MK) where the (α, γ) channel is dominant, the rate of the 22Ne(α, γ)26Mg reaction is influenced by several resonances. The present study focuses on the Eα = 395 keV resonance which so far have been studied only indirectly leading to a wide range of possible values for its resonance strength (10−15 −10−9 eV). The experiment has been completed at LUNA using the intense alpha beam of the LUNA 400 kV accelerator and a windowless differential-pumped gas target combined with a high efficiency BGO detector. Experimental details and preliminary results will be shown.

Mixing and Magnetic Fields in Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars in the Framework of FRUITY Models

In the last few years, the modeling of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars has been much investigated, both focusing on nucleosynthesis and stellar evolution aspects. Recent advances in the input physics required for stellar computations made it possible to construct more accurate evolutionary models, which are an essential tool to interpret the wealth of available observational and nucleosynthetic data. Motivated by such improvements, the FUNS stellar evolutionary code has been updated. Nonetheless, mixing processes occurring in AGB stars’ interiors are currently not well-understood. This is especially true for the physical mechanism leading to the formation of the 13C pocket, the major neutron source in low-mass AGB stars. In this regard, post-processing s-process models assuming that partial mixing of protons is induced by magneto-hydrodynamics processes were shown to reproduce many observations. Such mixing prescriptions have now been implemented in the FUNS code to compute stellar models with fully coupled nucleosynthesis. Here, we review the new generation of FRUITY models that include the effects of mixing triggered by magnetic fields by comparing theoretical findings with observational constraints available either from the isotopic analysis of trace-heavy elements in presolar grains or from carbon AGB stars and Galactic open clusters.

Evaluation of the classification of pre-solar silicon carbide grains using consensus clustering with resampling methods: An assessment of the confidence of grain assignments

ABSTRACTWe report the use of several cluster analysis techniques to evaluate the classification of pre-solar silicon carbide (SiC) grains. The stability of clusters and the confidence of individual cluster assignments of grains are assessed using consensus clustering with resampling methods. Our analysis shows that pre-solar SiC grains can be divided into seven groups that are found to be highly stable with most of the grains being assigned to the same cluster for at least 90 per cent of the time over multiple aggregated clustering. Among the seven groups, two groups are dominated by AB grains, three groups by MS grains, one group by Z grains, and one group by X grains. The further division of X grains into two groups is highly dependent on the chosen algorithm and is therefore uncertain. Z and Y grains are clustered jointly with MS grains, with one group dominated by Z grains, pointing to their common origins from low-mass asymptotic giant branch stars. The most stable N grain-containing clusters are dominated by 15N-rich AB grains. However, some methods assign N grains with X grains, but in less stable clusters. The suggested genetic relationship among 15N-rich AB, N, and X grains is in line with the recent proposal that all three types of pre-solar SiC grains came from core collapse supernovae. We discuss the results from different clustering techniques based on our assessment of the cluster stabilities and the extent to which the cluster assignments overlap across the different methods.

Gas and dust from extremely metal-poor AGB stars

Context. The study of stars that evolve through the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) proves crucial in several astrophysical contexts because these objects provide important feedback to the host system in terms of the gas that is poured into the interstellar medium after being exposed to contamination from nucleosynthesis processes, and in terms of the dust that forms in their wind. Most of the studies conducted so far have been focused on AGB stars with solar and sub-solar chemical composition, whereas the extremely metal-poor domain has been poorly explored. Aims. We study the evolution of extremely metal-poor AGB stars with metallicities down to [Fe/H] = −5 to understand the main evolutionary properties and the efficiency of the processes able to alter their surface chemical composition, and to determine the gas and dust yields. Methods. We calculated two sets of evolutionary sequences of stars in the 1−7.5 M⊙ mass range that evolved from the pre-main sequence to the end of the AGB phase. To explore the extremely metal-poor chemistries, we adopted the metallicities Z = 3 × 10−5 and Z = 3 × 10−7, which correspond to [Fe/H] = −3 and [Fe/H] = −5, respectively. The results from stellar evolution modelling were used to calculate the yields of the individual chemical species. We also modelled dust formation in the wind to determine the dust produced by these objects. Results. The evolution of AGB stars in the extremely metal-poor domain we explored proves highly sensitive to the initial mass of the star. M ≤ 2 M⊙ stars experience several third-dredge-up events, which favour the gradual surface enrichment of 12C and the formation of significant quantities of carbonaceous dust, ∼0.01 M⊙. The 13C and nitrogen yields are found to be significantly smaller than in previous explorations of low-mass metal-poor AGB stars because the proton ingestion episodes experienced during the initial AGB phases are weaker. M ≥ 5 M⊙ stars experience hot bottom burning, and their surface chemistry reflects the equilibria of a very advanced proton-capture nucleosynthesis; little dust production takes place in their wind. Intermediate-mass stars experience both third dredge-up and hot bottom burning: they prove efficient producers of nitrogen, which is formed by proton captures on 12C nuclei of primary origin dredged up from the internal regions.

APOGEE-2S Discovery of Light- and Heavy-element Abundance Correlations in the Bulge Globular Cluster NGC 6380

Abstract We derive abundance ratios for nine stars in the relatively high-metallicity bulge globular cluster NGC 6380. We find a mean cluster metallicity between [Fe/H] = −0.80 and −0.73, with no clear evidence for a variation in iron abundances beyond the observational errors. Stars with strongly enhanced [N/Fe] abundance ratios populate the cluster and are anticorrelated with [C/Fe], trends that are considered a signal of the multiple-population phenomenon in this cluster. We detect an apparent intrinsic star-to-star spread (≳0.27 dex) in the slow neutron-capture process element (s-element) Ce ii. Moreover, the [Ce/Fe] abundance ratio exhibits a likely correlation with [N/Fe], and a somewhat weaker correlation with [Al/Fe]. If confirmed, NGC 6380 could be the first high-metallicity globular cluster where a N–Ce correlation is detected. Furthermore, this correlation suggests that Ce may also be an element involved in the multiple-population phenomenon. Currently, a consensus interpretation for the origin of the this apparent N–Ce correlation in high-metallicity clusters is lacking. We tentatively suggest that it could be reproduced by different channels—low-mass asymptotic giant branch stars in the high-metallicity regime or fast-rotating massive stars (“spinstars”), due to the rotational mixing. It may also be the cumulative effect of several pollution events including the occurrence of peculiar stars. Our findings should guide stellar nucleosynthesis models, in order to understand the reasons for its apparent exclusivity in relatively high-metallicity globular clusters.

Low-energy resonances in the O18 ( p,γ)19F reaction

Background: Shell hydrogen burning during the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase through the oxygen isotopes has been indicated as a key process that is needed to understand the observed O18/O16 relative abundance in presolar grains and in stellar atmospheres. This ratio is strongly influenced by the relative strengths of the reactions O18(p,α)N15 and O18(p,γ)F19 in low-mass AGB stars. While the former channel has been the focus of a large number of measurements, the (p,γ) reaction path has only recently received some attention and its stellar reaction rate over a wide temperature range rests on only one measurement. Purpose: Our aim is the direct measurement of states in F19 as populated through the reaction O18(p,γ)F19 to better determine their influence on the astrophysical reaction rate, and more generally to improve the understanding of the nuclear structure of F19. Method: Branchings and resonance strengths were measured in the proton energy range Eplab=150–400keV, using a high-purity germanium detector inside a massive lead shield. The measurement took place in the ultra-low-background environment of the Laboratory for Underground Nuclear Astrophysics (LUNA) experiment at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory, leading to a highly increased sensitivity. Results: The uncertainty of the γ branchings and strengths was improved for all four resonances in the studied energy range; many new transitions were observed in the case of the 334keV resonance, and individual γ decays of the 215keV resonance were measured for the first time. In addition a number of transitions to intermediate states that decay through α emission were identified. The strengths of the observed resonances are generally in agreement with literature values. Conclusions: Our measurements substantially confirm previous determinations of the relevant resonance strengths. Therefore the O18(p,γ)F19 reaction rate does not change with respect to the reaction rate reported in the compilations commonly adopted in the extant computations of red-giant branch and AGB stellar models. Nevertheless, our measurements definitely exclude a nonstandard scenario for the fluorine nucleosynthesis and a nuclear physics solution for the O18 depletion observed in Group 2 oxygen-rich stardust grains.3 MoreReceived 18 June 2020Revised 12 April 2021Accepted 6 July 2021DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.104.025802©2021 American Physical SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasH & He burningNuclear astrophysicsNuclear reactionsRadiative captureProperties6 ≤ A ≤ 19Nuclear Physics

Isotope Systematics of Presolar Silicate Grains: New Insights from Magnesium and Silicon

Abstract We report on Mg and Si isotope data of 86 presolar silicate grains identified through NanoSIMS oxygen ion imaging in thin sections of carbonaceous and ordinary chondrites. The O, Mg, and Si isotope data of 106 presolar silicates (including grains studied previously by our group) suggest division of O isotope Group 1 grains into four subpopulations: (i) “normal,” (ii) 25Mg-rich, (iii) 26Mg-rich, and (iv) 25Mg-poor. Normal Group 1 grains (∼60% of Group 1 grains) formed in the winds of low-mass asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, with Mg and Si defining linear arrays with slopes of ∼0.9 and 1.37, respectively, in three-isotope representations, most likely representing Galactic chemical evolution (GCE). The 25Mg-rich grains (∼25%) show enrichments in 25Mg of up to a factor 2.4 relative to solar composition and most likely formed in supernova (SN) ejecta or the winds of intermediate-mass AGB stars. The 26Mg-rich and 25Mg-poor Group 1 grains lie below the Mg GCE line and their isotopic compositions favor origins from supergiants or SNe. The O isotope Group 2 grains show a wide range of Mg-isotopic compositions, similar to Group 1 grains, with likely origins from massive AGB stars, super-AGB stars, supergiants, and SNe. The Mg- and Si-isotopic compositions of Group 4 grains are compatible with previously proposed SN origins. Our results suggest that &gt;30% of presolar silicates formed in the winds of supergiants and in SN ejecta, and that low-mass AGB stars appear to have contributed only some 50% to presolar silicates, less than previously thought.

Low Mass Stars or Intermediate Mass Stars? The Stellar Origin of Presolar Oxide Grains Revealed by Their Isotopic Composition

Among presolar grains, oxide ones are made of oxygen, aluminum, and a small fraction of magnesium, produced by the 26Al decay. The largest part of presolar oxide grains belong to the so-called group 1 and 2, which have been suggested to form in Red Giant Branch (RGB) and Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars, respectively. However, standard stellar nucleosynthesis models cannot account for the 17O/16O, 18O/16O, and 26Al/27Al values recorded in those grains. Hence, for more than 20 years, the occurrence of mixing phenomena coupled with stellar nucleosynthesis have been suggested to account for this peculiar isotopic mix. Nowadays, models of massive AGB stars experiencing Hot Bottom Burning or low mass AGB stars where Cool Bottom Process, or another kind of extra-mixing, is at play, nicely fit the oxygen isotopic mix of group 2 oxide grains. The largest values of the 26Al/27Al ratio seem somewhat more difficult to account for.

Rubidium in Barium stars

ABSTRACT Barium (Ba) stars are chemically peculiar stars that display in their atmospheres signatures of the slow neutron-capture (s-process) mechanism that operates within asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, an important contributor to the cosmic abundance. The observed chemical peculiarity in these objects is not due to self-enrichment, but to mass transfer between the components of a binary system. The atmospheres of Ba stars are therefore excellent astrophysical laboratories, providing strong constraints for the nucleosynthesis of the s-process in AGB stars. In particular, rubidium (Rb) is a key element for the s-process diagnostic because it is sensitive to the neutron density and hence its abundance points to the main neutron source of the s-process in AGB stars. We present Rb abundances for a large sample of 180 Ba stars from high-resolution spectra (R = 48 000), and we compare the observed [Rb/Zr] ratios with theoretical predictions from s-process models in AGB stars. The target Ba stars in this study display [Rb/Zr] &amp;lt; 0, showing that Rb was not efficiently produced by the activation of the branching points at 85Kr and 86Rb. Model predictions from the Monash and FRUITY datasets of low-mass (≲4 M⊙) AGB stars are able to cover the Rb abundances observed in the program Ba stars. These observations indicate that the 13C(α,n)16O reaction is the main neutron source of the s-process in the low-mass AGB companions of the observed Ba stars. We have not found in the present study candidate companions for former IR/OH massive AGB stars.

The nature of s-process nucleosynthesis in low mass AGB stars based on individual Barium star observations

Barium stars are now primaries in a binary system with a former asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star. Here we compare some available AGB nucleosynthesis models and the observed s-process abundances of individual Ba star measurements to constrain the nature of the s-process in low mass AGB stars. After correcting the models with a dilution factor calculated for [Ce/Fe], we found that some of the sample stars show higher abundances for light s-process elements than the model predictions. This might be attributed to diffusive mixing in the stars.

Detailed Abundances in the Ultra-faint Magellanic Satellites Carina II and III

Abstract We present the first detailed elemental abundances in the ultra-faint Magellanic satellite galaxies Carina II (Car II) and Carina III (Car III). With high-resolution Magellan/MIKE spectroscopy, we determined the abundances of nine stars in Car II, including the first abundances of an RR Lyrae star in an ultra-faint dwarf galaxy (UFD), and two stars in Car III. The chemical abundances demonstrate that both systems are clearly galaxies and not globular clusters. The stars in these galaxies mostly display abundance trends matching those of other similarly faint dwarf galaxies: enhanced but declining [α/Fe] ratios, iron-peak elements matching the stellar halo, and unusually low neutron-capture element abundances. One star displays a low outlying [Sc/Fe] = −1.0. We detect a large Ba scatter in Car II, likely due to inhomogeneous enrichment by low-mass asymptotic giant branch star winds. The most striking abundance trend is for [Mg/Ca] in Car II, which decreases from +0.4 to −0.4 and indicates clear variation in the initial progenitor masses of enriching core-collapse supernovae. So far, the only UFDs displaying a similar [Mg/Ca] trend are likely satellites of the Large Magellanic Cloud. We find two stars with [Fe/H] ≤ −3.5 whose abundances likely trace the first generation of metal-free Population III stars and are well fit by Population III core-collapse supernova yields. An appendix describes our new abundance uncertainty analysis that propagates line-by-line stellar parameter uncertainties.