Galactic chemical evolution: Carbon through zinc

C. Kobayashi, Hideyuki Umeda, Ken'ichi Nomoto, Nozomu Tominaga, Takuya Ohkubo

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Abstract

We calculate the evolution of heavy-element abundances from C to Zn in the solar neighborhood, adopting our new nucleosynthesis yields. Our yields are calculated for wide ranges of metallicity (Z = 0-Z circle dot) and the explosion energy (normal supernovae and hypernovae), based on the light-curve and spectra fitting of individual supernovae. The elemental abundance ratios are in good agreement with observations. Among the alpha-elements, O, Mg, Si, S, and Ca show a plateau at [Fe/H] <= -1, while Ti is underabundant overall. The observed abundance of Zn ([Zn/Fe] similar to 0) can be explained only by the high-energy explosion models, as it requires a large contribution of hypernovae. The observed decrease in the odd-Z elements (Na, Al, and Cu) toward low [Fe/H] is reproduced by the metallicity effect on nucleosynthesis. The iron-peak elements (Cr, Mn, Co, and Ni) are consistent with the observed mean values at -2.5 less than or similar to [Fe/H] less than or similar to -1, and the observed trend at the lower metallicity can be explained by the energy effect. We also show the abundance ratios and the metallicity distribution functions of the Galactic bulge, halo, and thick disk. Our results suggest that the formation timescale of the thick disk is similar to 1-3 Gyr.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1145-1171
Number of pages27
JournalThe Astrophysical Journal
Volume653
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Dec 2006

Keywords

  • galaxies : abundances
  • galaxies : evolution
  • supernovae : general
  • METAL-POOR STARS
  • METALLICITY DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION
  • DETAILED ABUNDANCE ANALYSIS
  • DWARF SPHEROIDAL GALAXIES
  • CORE-COLLAPSE SUPERNOVAE
  • GAMMA-RAY BURST
  • 25 APRIL 1998
  • IA SUPERNOVAE
  • SOLAR NEIGHBORHOOD
  • SULFUR ABUNDANCES

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