NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Role of Rotation in Massive Stars in the SMCWe report on an analysis of FUSE+STIS+optical spectra of 17 O-type stars in the SMC. We found an enormous range in N abundances. Three stars in the sample have the same (low) CN abundances as the nebular material out of which they formed, namely C=0.08 C(sub circle dot) and N=0.03 N(sub circle dot). However, more than half shows N~O, an enrichment factor of 30X! Such a high level of N enrichment cannot be reproduced by current evolutionary models accounting for rotationally induced mixing. It suggests that the sum of CNO nuclei may not be conserved, i.e. massive stars might be producing primary nitrogen. It raises questions concerning the sources of nitrogen in the early universe, presently thought to be almost exclusively intermediate-mass stars. It also raises basic questions about the evolution of massive stars in low-metallicity environments, including the precursors to supernovae.
Document ID
20040015210
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Heap, Sara R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Lanz, Thierry
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2002
Subject Category
Astronomy
Meeting Information
Meeting: IAU Symposium 215 (Stellar Rotation)
Location: Cancun
Country: Mexico
Start Date: November 10, 2002
End Date: November 16, 2002
Sponsors: International Astronomy Union
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available