Carbon and oxygen isotopes in AGB stars. From the cores of AGB stars to presolar dust

Author(s)
Thomas Lebzelter, Kenneth Hinkle, Oscar Straniero
Abstract

Isotopic ratios are a powerful tool for gaining insights into stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis. The isotopic ratios of the key elements carbon and oxygen are perfectly suited to investigate the pristine composition of red giants, the conditions in their interiors, and the mixing in their extended atmospheres. Of course the dust ejected from red giants in their final evolution also contains isotopically tagged material. This red giant dust is present in the solar system as presolar dust grains. We have measured isotopic ratios of carbon and oxygen in spectra from a large sample of AGB stars including both Miras and semiregular variables. We show how the derived ratios compare with expectations from stellar models and with measurements in presolar grains. Comparison of isotopes that are affected by different types of nucleosynthesis provides insights into galactic evolution.

Organisation(s)
Department of Astrophysics
External organisation(s)
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Tucson, Osservatorio Astronomico di Collurania-Teramo
Volume
14
Pages
447-448
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1017/S1743921318007044
Publication date
2019
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
103003 Astronomy, 103004 Astrophysics
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Space and Planetary Science
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/214359b4-5697-446d-a64d-6e8a72816ef4