An examination of the planetesimal impact hypothesis of the formation of CP stars

Abstract

The impact hypothesis has been found to provide a qualitative basis for an understanding of many of the characteristics of the CP stars. It founders primarily upon the problem of underabundances of certain elements and large variations in isotopic abundances. We conclude, however, that the hypothesis should not be prematurely discarded, since it may be combined with other mechanisms to account for the variety of abundance peculiarities of the CP stars.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42108/1/10509_2004_Article_BF00644158.pd