Constraints on early nucleosynthesis from the abundance of a damped Ly- system at z =2.626

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Gibson, Brad K.

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Constraints on early nucleosynthesis from the abundance of a damped Ly- system at z =2.626

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/373

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Title: Constraints on early nucleosynthesis from the abundance of a damped Ly- system at z =2.626
Author(s): Fenner, Yeshe; Prochaska, Jason X.; Gibson, Brad K.
Abstract: We have investigated chemical evolution in the young universe by analyzing the detailed chemical enrichment pattern of a metal-rich galaxy at high redshift. The recent detection of over 20 elements in the gas phase of a damped Lyα absorber (DLA) at z=2.626 represents an exciting new avenue for exploring early nucleosynthesis. Given a strict upper age of ~2.5 Gyr and a gas-phase metallicity about 1/3 solar, we have shown the DLA abundance pattern to be consistent with the predictions of a chemical evolution model in which the interstellar enrichment is dominated by massive stars with a small contribution from Type Ia supernovae. Discrepancies between the empirical data and the models are used to highlight outstanding issues in nucleosynthesis theory, including a tendency for Type II supernova models to overestimate the magnitude of the 'odd-even'' effect at subsolar metallicities. Our results suggest a possible need for supplemental sources of magnesium and zinc, beyond that provided by massive stars.
Publication type: Journal article
Research centre: Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Information and Communication Technologies
Source: Astrophysical journal, Vol. 606, no. 1 (2004), pp. 116-125
Publication year: 2004
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Format: pp. 116-125
ISSN: 0004-637X
Publisher URL: Astrophysical journal
Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/382781
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