Supernova Minerals in Terrestrial Laboratories

Professor Donald Clayton
Clemson University

4:15-5:15 Tuesday April 15, 2003

Abstract

Presolar stardust grains are solid samples of stars. They offer unusual glimpses into details of nucleosynthesis, stellar structure and chemical evolution of the galaxy. This unique information comes from precision measurements of isotope ratios for several elements in these mineral solids. I will first review this field.

Special attention will be given to the grains that condensed within the cooling supernova interior during its first year of expansion. They illustrate cosmochemical issues of supernova physics that open new chapters in condensation physics and in supernova structure and mixing. Associated puzzles in gamma-ray astronomy and supernova nucleosynthesis are shown in novel light.

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