Supernova Explosions, Heavy Element Synthesis, and Early Cosmic Evolution

Jim W. Truran, University of Chicago

Nucleosynthesis theory attributes the production of the bulk of the heavy elements (oxygen to uranium)to supernovae. Predictions of the composition of supernova ejecta arising from hydrodynamic modeling of these events indeed supports this picture. Abundance determinations for the stellar components of our Galaxy together with those for damped Lyman-Alpha systems at high redshifts reveal distinctive patterns, reflecting contributions from massive stars and associated Type II supernovae, gradually being modified by the delayed contributions from lower mass stars and Type Ia supernovae. We review both our current understanding of supernova events and recent observations of the compositions of the oldest stars, and explore their implications for the early evolution of galaxies and the cosmos.

The P/T Colloquium is
typically held each
Thursday, 3:45–5:00 PM.
Refreshments are served
at 3:15 PM.