On the Bulk Yields of Nucleosynthesis from Massive Stars

Extract

Preliminary estimates are made of the absolute yields of abundant nuclei synthesized in observed stars. The compositions of helium stars of mass 3 ≤ Mα / M_ʘ ≤ 64 are presented, taken at the instant of instability. These stars of mass Mα are identified with stars of main sequence mass M. The amount of synthesized matter for each mass M ≥ M_ʘ He is estimated (Table 1). Using a variety of choices for the initial mass function (IMF) the yield per stellar generation is calculated. For standard choices of the IMF the absolute and relative yields of ¹²C, ¹⁶O, ²⁰Ne, ²⁴Mg, the Si to Ca group and the iron group agree with solar system values, to the accuracy of the calculations.