The Canadian Nuclear Physics for Astrophysics Network is bringing together the multiple disciplines needed to investigate the origin of the elements. The emphasis is on nuclear physics experiments and theory for astrophysics applications. For example, CaNPAN tries to investigate, as new astrophysics scenarios are developed in response to astronomical observations, what is the impact of nuclear...
One of the reactions that has an observable effect on classical nova nucleosynthesis is the proton capture on radioactive 23Mg, resulting in 24Al plus a γ. The 23Mg(p, γ)24Al has been investigated through a variety of experimental and theoretical means in the past. These investigations include a direct measurement of the strength and energy of the dominant resonance in this reaction, using a...
Current stellar nucleosynthesis models fail to reproduce the measured
isotopic abundances in group 2 oxygen-rich presolar grains, which are
characterized by large 18O depletions. It was proposed that cool bottom
processing in low-mass AGB stars is responsible for the observed isotopic
abundances. We modeled cool-bottom processing during the RGB and the
AGB of 1.2M⊙ stars to predict...
This research investigates the 38K(p,γ) 39Ca reaction rate, a crucial process in classical novae nucleosynthesis. Classical novae, characterized by sudden brightness surges followed by fading, result from explosive hydrogen-rich material ignition on white dwarf stars. Notable discrepancies between observed and predicted abundances of Ca and Ar in nova ejecta underscore the necessity of...
Understanding the formation of the heaviest elements has long been a pivotal inquiry and recent progress spurred by LIGO's detection of gravitational waves now lead us to examine kilonovae as crucial markers in unraveling the processes behind the synthesis of those elements. Notably, the emission spectra of MeV gamma rays could lead to strong insight in the identification of individual...
A panel to ask our CaNPAN experts any curious question about research, scientific writing, careers in this field, the academic community, and more!
Our framework, developed through the Canadian Nuclear Physics for Astrophysics Network (CaNPAN), is crucial for guiding nuclear astrophysics experiments. It has the capacity to identify key nuclear reactions responsible for element synthesis in various astrophysical phenomena. Notably, this framework has identified the 39K(p, 𝛾)40Ca and 38K(p, 𝛾)39Ca reactions as the most impactful for the...
Neutron star mergers are an ideal environment for rapid (r-process) neutron captures to take place that lead to the production of neutron-rich nuclei far from the valley of stability. This is one encouraging site to investigate for where abundances of the heaviest elements in our Solar System and beyond are thought to have come from. We explored the r-process regime in mergers through the...
Our understanding of the formation of the heaviest elements via rapid neutron capture (r-process) nucleosynthesis is built up through the detection and analysis of a variety of astrophysical observables: isotopic and elemental abundance patterns, electromagnetic signatures, and radioisotopes. The interpretation of each type of observable is complicated by the unknown nuclear physics of the...
Neutron stars, accreting matter from a companion, contribute to the inventory of systems that can be explored through multimessenger astronomy. As the accreted matter interacts with ions in the neutron star atmosphere and crust, it triggers nuclear reactions, generating X-rays, p-nuclei, and potentially gravitational wave emissions. Gravity draws the newly synthesized nuclei into deeper layers...
Multiple signatures of nucleosynthesis in asymptotic giant branch stars, classical novae, and supernovae have been revealed by analyzing CNO, Al, S, Ca, Ti, Ba, and other isotopic abundance ratios in presolar dust grains. I will show that in some grains the measured Zr, Mo, and Ru isotopic ratios can be interpreted as possible signatures of i-process nucleosynthesis.
The coalescence of neutron stars, either among themselves or with black holes, generates significant gravitational and electromagnetic waves, and is a key site for r-process element production. The ejection of mass during and after these mergers shapes the heavy element yield and electromagnetic signal, involving a complex interplay of processes and dependencies. This talk will provide an...
