Open AccessContrasting copper evolution in ω Centauri and the Milky Way
Author(s) -
Romano Donatella,
Matteucci Francesca
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society: letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.067
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1745-3933
pISSN - 1745-3925
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-3933.2007.00320.x
Subject(s) - nucleosynthesis , milky way , physics , stellar nucleosynthesis , stars , astrophysics , supernova , astronomy , stellar evolution
Despite the many studies on stellar nucleosynthesis published so far, the scenario for the production of copper in stars remains elusive. In particular, it is still debated whether copper originates mostly in massive stars or in Type Ia supernovae. To answer this question, we compute self‐consistent chemical evolution models taking into account the results of updated stellar nucleosynthesis. By contrasting copper evolution in ω Cen and the Milky Way, we end up with a picture where massive stars are the major factor responsible for the production of copper in ω Cen as well as the Galactic disc.