Neutron-Capture Element Abundances and Cosmochronometry

Abstract

Abundance ratios of radioactive to stable neutron-capture elements in very metal-poor stars may be used to estimate the age of our Galaxy. But extracting accurate ages from these data requires continuing work on many fronts: a) identification of more low metallicity stars with neutron-capture element excesses; b) acquisition of the best high resolution stellar spectra; c) improvement in neutron-capture element transition probabilities; d) calculation of more realistic nuclear models for, and interactions among the heaviest elements; and e) and more self-consistent production predictions for these elements in supernovae. This review discusses several of these areas and makes suggestions about how to improve the accuracy of Galactic cosmochronometry.

8 pages, 2 figures; To appear in Astrophysical Ages and Time Scales, ASP Conference Series, eds. T. von Hippel, N. Manset & C. Simpson (2001)