Constraints on stellar yields and SNe from gamma-ray line observations

Abstract

Gamma-ray line observations provide a versatile tool for studies of nucleosynthesis processes and supernova physics. In particular, the observation of radioactive species in the interstellar medium probes recent nucleosynthesis activity on various time-scales for different kinds of sources. Considerable progress in gamma-ray instrumentation during the last decades has led to the discovery of several cosmic gamma-ray lines. In this review, recent observational results are presented and their astrophysical implications are discussed. Prospects of gamma-ray line astronomy will be explored in view of the future INTEGRAL mission.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figure, The Interplay Between Massive Stars and the ISM, Parallel Session I of JENAM99, 7-11 Sept. 1999, Toulouse, France, eds. Daniel Schaerer and Rosa Gonzalez Delgad