Collaborative Research: Abundance Patterns in Extremely Metal-poor Stars: SNII, Pop III and the Early Galaxy

University Of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz CA

Investigators

Abstract

AST-0607770 INSTITUTION: University of California, Santa Cruz PI: Michael Bolte TITLE: Collaborative Research: Abundance Patterns in Extremely Metal-poor Stars: SNII, Pop III and the Early Galaxy ABSTRACT Dr. Michael Bolte at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Dr. Jennifer Johnson at the Ohio State University, will undertake a program that addresses several fundamental astrophysical issues by the use of chemical abundances in extremely metal-poor (EMP) stars. The main goals of the proposal are to a) securely identify and initially map the abundances of some of these stars by means of moderate-resolution spectroscopy, b) perform follow-up high-resolution observations to carry out detailed chemical abundance mapping, in order to constrain models of supernovae nucleosynthesis and provide insight into early stellar enrichment, c) conduct a survey of elements in globular cluster giant stars using high resolution near-ultraviolet spectra, in order to improve age estimates from nuclear chronometry" techniques, and d) determine the binary star fraction of EMP stars to determine the source(s) of Carbon enrichment at early times. Post-doctoral researchers, graduate students and undergraduates will carry much of the proposed work out. The topic of the origin of the elements will be used to engage the general public and will be used to enhance middle and high school science education. Dr. Bolte and Dr. Johnson will continue to present public talks and to work with local 7-12 science classes. Finally, the Keck-telescope spectra will be freely available by means of a public web site, making the data available for research and educational purposes.