Abstract
The productions of thorium and uranium are key ingredients in -process nucleo-cosmochronology. With the combination of improved nuclear and stellar data, we have made a detailed investigation of the -process abundance pattern in the very metal-poor halo stars based on the classical -process approach. It is found that the results are almost independent of specified simulations to observed abundances. The influence from nuclear mass uncertainties on a Th/U chronometer can approach 2 Gyr. Moreover, the ages of the metal-poor stars HE , CS , and BD are determined as , , and Gyr, respectively. The results can serve as an independent check for age estimates of the Universe.
- Received 15 July 2009
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.80.065806
©2009 American Physical Society
Synopsis
Calibrating the cosmic clock
Published 4 January 2010
What are the uncertainties in determining how long ago nucleosynthesis of heavy elements occurred in astrophysical bodies?
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