20,799 research outputs found
The Early Formation, Evolution and Age of the Neutron-Capture Elements in the Early Galaxy
Abundance observations indicate the presence of rapid-neutron capture (i.e.,
r-process) elements in old Galactic halo and globular cluster stars. These
observations demonstrate that the earliest generations of stars in the Galaxy,
responsible for neutron-capture synthesis and the progenitors of the halo
stars, were rapidly evolving. Abundance comparisons among several halo stars
show that the heaviest neutron-capture elements (including Ba and heavier) are
consistent with a scaled solar system r-process abundance distribution, while
the lighter such elements do not conform to the solar pattern. These
comparisons suggest two r-process sites or at least two different sets of
astrophysical conditions. The large star-to-star scatter observed in the
neutron-capture/iron ratios at low metallicities -- which disappears with
increasing [Fe/H] -- suggests an early, chemically unmixed and inhomogeneous
Galaxy. The stellar abundances indicate a change from the r-process to the slow
neutron capture (i.e., s-) process at higher metallicities in the Galaxy. The
detection of thorium in halo and globular cluster stars offers a promising,
independent age-dating technique that can put lower limits on the age of the
Galaxy.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures; To appear in the proceedings of the 20th Texas
Symposium on Relativistic Astrophysics, J. C. Wheeler & H. Martel (eds.
Nuclear Chronometers
Observations of metal-poor Galactic halo stars indicate that the abundance
pattern of the (heaviest) neutron-capture elements is consistent with the
scaled solar system r-process abundances. Utilizing the radioactive (r-process)
element thorium, age determinations have been made for several of these same
stars, placing constraints on both Galactic and cosmological age estimates.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures. To appear in the Proceedings of ``Cosmic
Evolution'
Galactic Cosmochronometry from Radioactive Elements in the Spectra of Very Old Metal-Poor Stars
In a short review of neutron-capture elemental abundances in Galactic halo
stars, emphasis is placed on the use of these elements to estimate the age of
the Galactic halo. Two prominent characteristics of neutron-capture elements in
halo stars are their large star-to-star scatter in the overall abundance level
with respect to lighter elements, and the dominance of r-process abundance
patterns at lowest stellar metallicities. The r-process abundance signature
potentially allows the direct determination of the age of the earliest Galactic
halo nucleosynthesis events, but further developments in r-process theory, high
resolution spectroscopy of very metal-poor stars, and in basic atomic data are
needed to narrow the uncertainties in age estimates. Attention is brought to
the importance of accurate transition probabilities in neutron-capture element
cosmochronometry. Recent progress in the transition probabilities of rare earth
elements is discussed, along with suggestions for future work on other species.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figures; To appear in Physica Script
Neutron-Capture Element Trends in the Halo
In a brief review of abundances neutron-capture elements (Z > ~30) in
metal-poor halo stars, attention is called to their star-to-star scatter, the
dominance of r-process synthesis at lowest metallicities, the puzzle of the
lighter members of this element group, and the possibility of a better
r-/s-process discriminant.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures. To appear in the Proceedings of ``Cosmic
Evolution'
Queens Performing Artists & Workspace
The Queens Workspace Initiative (QWI) is a project conceived and led by Exploring the Metropolis (EtM) to help ensure that the performing arts offerings in the borough of Queens are the best they can be.The major activities comprise surveying performing artists, cultural facilities and other stakeholders; making recommendations to stakeholders and policymakers; and conducting pilot programs.In 2013-14, Exploring the Metropolis has been assessing workspace needs for performing artists in Queens. We've interviewed key players, sent out surveys, held focus groups and studied ways to help the Queens performing arts community grow and thrive
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