Program: GS-2005B-C-7
Title: | Nucleosynthesis in the final stages of stellar evolution |
PI: | Thomas Lebzelter |
Co-I(s): | Ken Hinkle, Peter Wood, Verne Smith |
Abstract
One of the important characteristics of AGB evolution is the
3rd dredge-up where freshly produced $^{12}$C and s-process
elements are brought up into the stellar atmosphere.
Heavy mass loss occurring during and following the AGB phase enriches the
interstellar material with the elements produced in stellar interiors. Stellar
evolution models now
provide quite detailed predictions for the 3rd dredge-up enrichment but quantitative
checks so far are restricted to field stars or to indirect methods.
Using improved model atmospheres and high resolution Phoenix/Gemini spectra
we propose the determination of carbon and oxygen abundances and isotopic ratios
for stars along the AGB of the LMC globular cluster NGC 1846.
The young globular clusters of the LMC provide an ideal laboratory for
studying AGB evolution that is not available in the Milky Way. The
sensitivity provided by Phoenix on an 8 m class telescope allows high spectral
resolution observations of both giants and AGB stars in NGC 1846.
Publications using this program's data
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[data]
[ADS] AGB stars of the intermediate-age LMC cluster NGC 1846. II. Dredge up along the AGB