Neutron-Capture Element Abundances in Planetary Nebulae
Nebular spectroscopy is a valuable tool for assessing the production of heavy elements by slow neutron(<i>n</i>)-capture nucleosynthesis (the <i>s</i>-process). Several transitions of <i>n</i>-capture elements have been identified in planetary nebulae (PNe) in the...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2020-06-01
|
| Series: | Galaxies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4434/8/2/50 |
| _version_ | 1797565112964349952 |
|---|---|
| author | N. C. Sterling |
| author_facet | N. C. Sterling |
| author_sort | N. C. Sterling |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Nebular spectroscopy is a valuable tool for assessing the production of heavy elements by slow neutron(<i>n</i>)-capture nucleosynthesis (the <i>s</i>-process). Several transitions of <i>n</i>-capture elements have been identified in planetary nebulae (PNe) in the last few years, with the aid of sensitive, high-resolution, near-infrared spectrometers. Combined with optical spectroscopy, the newly discovered near-infrared lines enable more accurate abundance determinations than previously possible, and provide access to elements that had not previously been studied in PNe or their progenitors. Neutron-capture elements have also been detected in PNe in the Sagittarius Dwarf galaxy and in the Magellanic Clouds. In this brief review, I discuss developments in observational studies of <i>s</i>-process enrichments in PNe, with an emphasis on the last five years, and note some open questions and preliminary trends. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T19:07:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b05d80edc796458283110f3d4ed8a5f7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4434 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T19:07:22Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Galaxies |
| spelling | doaj.art-b05d80edc796458283110f3d4ed8a5f72023-11-20T04:03:25ZengMDPI AGGalaxies2075-44342020-06-01825010.3390/galaxies8020050Neutron-Capture Element Abundances in Planetary NebulaeN. C. Sterling0Department of Physics, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA 30118, USANebular spectroscopy is a valuable tool for assessing the production of heavy elements by slow neutron(<i>n</i>)-capture nucleosynthesis (the <i>s</i>-process). Several transitions of <i>n</i>-capture elements have been identified in planetary nebulae (PNe) in the last few years, with the aid of sensitive, high-resolution, near-infrared spectrometers. Combined with optical spectroscopy, the newly discovered near-infrared lines enable more accurate abundance determinations than previously possible, and provide access to elements that had not previously been studied in PNe or their progenitors. Neutron-capture elements have also been detected in PNe in the Sagittarius Dwarf galaxy and in the Magellanic Clouds. In this brief review, I discuss developments in observational studies of <i>s</i>-process enrichments in PNe, with an emphasis on the last five years, and note some open questions and preliminary trends.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4434/8/2/50planetary nebulae, generalnuclear reactions, nucleosynthesis, abundancesstarsAGB and post-AGBinfrared, general |
| spellingShingle | N. C. Sterling Neutron-Capture Element Abundances in Planetary Nebulae Galaxies planetary nebulae, general nuclear reactions, nucleosynthesis, abundances stars AGB and post-AGB infrared, general |
| title | Neutron-Capture Element Abundances in Planetary Nebulae |
| title_full | Neutron-Capture Element Abundances in Planetary Nebulae |
| title_fullStr | Neutron-Capture Element Abundances in Planetary Nebulae |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neutron-Capture Element Abundances in Planetary Nebulae |
| title_short | Neutron-Capture Element Abundances in Planetary Nebulae |
| title_sort | neutron capture element abundances in planetary nebulae |
| topic | planetary nebulae, general nuclear reactions, nucleosynthesis, abundances stars AGB and post-AGB infrared, general |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4434/8/2/50 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ncsterling neutroncaptureelementabundancesinplanetarynebulae |