We present C, N, O, Si, Al-Mg, K, Ca, and Ti isotopic analyses of seven high-density (ORG1f, rho similar to 2.02-2.04 g cm(-3)) graphite grains from Orgueil with C-12/C-13 ratios smaller than 20. The presence of Ti-44 in three of these grains indicates an origin in Type II supernovae (SNe). The C-13 excesses in these SNe grains, however, remain enigmatic. The remaining grains have extremely large Ca and Ti isotopic anomalies, some of which are much larger than those predicted for envelopes of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. These anomalies in conjunction with low C-12/C-13 ratios can only be explained by pure nucleosynthetic He-shell components of AGB stars. Born-again AGB stars that experience a late He flash are able to explain the low C-12/C-13 ratios of some of the grains along with the presence of extreme enrichments in the Ca and Ti isotopes. This study indicates that high-density graphite grains have multiple stellar sources: SNe and born-again AGB stars, in addition to the previously established low-metallicity AGB stars.
New stellar sources for high-density, presolar graphite grains
GALLINO, Roberto
2008-01-01
Abstract
We present C, N, O, Si, Al-Mg, K, Ca, and Ti isotopic analyses of seven high-density (ORG1f, rho similar to 2.02-2.04 g cm(-3)) graphite grains from Orgueil with C-12/C-13 ratios smaller than 20. The presence of Ti-44 in three of these grains indicates an origin in Type II supernovae (SNe). The C-13 excesses in these SNe grains, however, remain enigmatic. The remaining grains have extremely large Ca and Ti isotopic anomalies, some of which are much larger than those predicted for envelopes of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. These anomalies in conjunction with low C-12/C-13 ratios can only be explained by pure nucleosynthetic He-shell components of AGB stars. Born-again AGB stars that experience a late He flash are able to explain the low C-12/C-13 ratios of some of the grains along with the presence of extreme enrichments in the Ca and Ti isotopes. This study indicates that high-density graphite grains have multiple stellar sources: SNe and born-again AGB stars, in addition to the previously established low-metallicity AGB stars.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.