Spectroscopic Investigations of Early Galactic Nucleosynthesis

University Of Texas At Austin, Austin TX

Investigators

Abstract

Sneden, Christopher "Spectroscopic Investigations of Early Galactic Nucleosynthesis" AST-9987132 Dr. Sneden is conducting a high-resolution spectroscopic study of selected globular cluster and field stars in the Galactic halo. The primary goal is to piece together the history of early Galactic nucleosynthesis. At the present time there are many models for this early history, and much conflicting data. Dr. Sneden coordinates a diverse group of researchers working on several of the most vexing problems in stellar abundance analysis, such as envelope mixing, the so-called 'second parameter' problem for highly evolved stars on the horizontal branch, and abundance anomalies of lithium, thorium and iron peak elements in red giant stars. Funding for this project was provided by the NSF program for Stellar Astronomy & Astrophysics (AST/SAA). ***