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Nuclear astrophysics: nucleosynthesis in the Universe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 May 2012

Alinka Lépine-Szily  and
Pierre Descouvemont
Alinka Lépine-Szily
Affiliation:
Instituto de Física da Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão 187, CEP 05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
Pierre Descouvemont*
Affiliation:
Physique Nucléaire Théorique et Physique Mathématique, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), CP229, B1050 Brussels, Belgium
*
e-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Nuclear astrophysics is a relatively young science; it is about half a century old. It is a multidisciplinary subject, since it combines nuclear physics with astrophysics and observations in astronomy. It also addresses fundamental issues in astrobiology through the formation of elements, in particular those required for a carbon-based life. In this paper, a rapid overview of nucleosynthesis is given, mainly from the point of view of nuclear physics. A short historical introduction is followed by the definition of the relevant nuclear parameters, such as nuclear reaction cross sections, astrophysical S-factors, the energy range defined by the Gamow peak and reaction rates. The different astrophysical scenarios that are the sites of nucleosynthesis, and different processes, cycles and chains that are responsible for the building of complex nuclei from the elementary hydrogen nuclei are then briefly described.

Keywords

Nuclear reactionsnuclear astrophysicsstellar evolutionradioactive elements
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Astrobiology , Volume 11 , Issue 4: SPECIAL ISSUE: THE SAO PAULO ADVANCED SCHOOL OF ASTROBIOLOGY – SPASA 2011 , October 2012 , pp. 243 - 250
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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