Comparative Chemical Evolution in Low-Mass Stellar Systems

University Of Texas At El Paso, El Paso TX

Investigators

Abstract

Smith, Verne "Comparative Chemical Evolution in Low-Mass Stellar Systems" AST-9987374 Dr. Smith proposes to investigate the reasons why the chemical abundances of stars vary within a given population such as a globular cluster, dwarf spheroidal galaxy or the Magellanic Clouds. The chemical abundances of a wide range of elements will be determined in a large sample of stars found in such diverse systems. The analysis utilizes the latest stellar model atmospheres and atomic/molecular data. The particular elements and stellar systems chosen permit an examination of how chemical evolution depends upon stellar masses and lifetimes and in principle . The spectroscopic observations essential to the project will be obtained with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, Kitt Peak National Observatory and Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory. Funding for this project was provided by the NSF program for Stellar Astronomy & Astrophysics (AST/SAA). ***