Sofia Feltzing
Professor of astronomy
The production of beryllium in the early Galaxy
Author
Summary, in English
The formation of beryllium in the early Galaxy is discussed. It is shown that if spallation occurs predominantly in regions rich in heavy elements, i.e., close to supernovae, the linear relation recently obtained by Gilmore et al. (1992) between beryllium and oxygen abundances for Population II stars may be reproduced. Estimates of relevant timescales for mixing show that the decisive factor, the ratio of the timescale of cosmic-ray diffusion out of the locally enriched regions to the decay time of cosmic rays in the Galaxy as a whole, admits this scenario. Although energetically possible, it requires, however, very high local cosmic-ray fluxes (greater than or equal to 105/sq cm/s), which predicts gamma-ray fluxes above those observed from supernova remnants and the Galaxy. We therefore consider other models, such as those given by Duncan et al. (1992) or Prantzos et al. (1993), more probable.
Department/s
- Lund Observatory - Has been reorganised
Publishing year
1994
Language
English
Pages
68-72
Publication/Series
Astrophysical Journal
Volume
423
Issue
1
Full text
- Available as PDF - 969 kB
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Document type
Journal article
Publisher
American Astronomical Society
Topic
- Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 0004-637X