Studying Stellar Evolution and Galactic Halo Formation with Globular Cluster Abundance Inhomogeneities

University Of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz CA

Investigators

Abstract

Studying Stellar Evolution and Galactic Halo Formation with Globular Cluster Abundance Inhomogeneities ABSTRACT AST 0406988 Graeme Smith Dr. Graeme Smith, at the University of California, Santa Cruz, will undertake a program to investigate the extent to which red giant stars undergo interior mixing and subsequently produce altered surface abundances, and to probe the origin of the Galactic halo. Chemical abundance inhomogeneities of Galactic globular clusters will be used in a three-pronged approach in this effort: 1) The PI will determine whether deep mixing in globular red giants depends on the star's metallicity; 2) The PI will investigate if and how the incidence of CN-strong red giants varies in clusters with different properties and 3) The PI will determine the extent to which CN-strong giants are present in the halo field, and globulars associated with the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy. The broader impact of this proposed research resides with student training, with the involvement of a Ph.D. thesis student in the research.