Astrophysics
Experimentally have we got what it takes to pursue the direct observation of WIMP interactions down to sensitivities of a few events /100 kg/year? For a Ge target with a low energy threshold (<20 keVr) this corresponds to a WIMP-nucleon…
The formation of the Milky Way is discussed within the context of the cold dark matter scenario. Several problems arise which can be solved if the Galaxy experienced an early phase of gas heating and decoupling from the dark matter…
We have computed a grid of multiphase chemical evolution models whose results are valid for any spiral galaxy, using as input the maximum rotation velocity and the morphological type or index T.
Primordial evaluations of the deuterium abundance should provide one of the best tests of Big Bang nucleosynthesis models. Space as well as ground based observations seem however to result in different values. This asks for more…
We briefly review the fundamentals of nuclear gamma-ray line astronomy (radioactive astronomy), focusing on its role to decipher the intimate physics of supernovae, either immediatly (via $^{56}Co)$ or after a time delay (via $^{44}Ti$).…
The hierarchical cold dark matter (CDM) model for structure formation is a well defined and testable model. Direct detection is the best technique for confirming the model yet predictions for the energy and density distribution of particles…
Over the past three years, our confidence in the inferred values of cosmological parameters has increased dramatically, confirming that the flat matter dominated Universe that dominated cosmological model building for the past 20 years does…
Adopting a single degenerate scenario for Type Ia supernova progenitors with the metallicity effect, we make a prediction of the cosmic supernova rate history as a composite of the supernova rates in spiral and elliptical galaxies, and…
Unhappily, there has been a maelstrom of problems for dark matter theories over the last few years and many serious difficulties still have no resolution in sight. This article reviews the evidence for dark matter in galaxies. The haloes…
A LiBeB evolution model including Galactic Cosmic Ray nucleosynthesis, the $\nu$-process, novae, AGB and C-stars is presented. We have included Galactic Cosmic Ray Nucleosynthesis (GCRN) in a complete Chemical Evolution Model that takes…
We examine the characteristics of nucleosynthesis in 'hypernovae', i.e., supernovae with very large explosion energies ($\gsim 10^{52}$ ergs). Implications for the cosmic chemical evolution and the abundances in M82 are discussed.
In a brief review of abundances neutron-capture elements (Z > ~30) in metal-poor halo stars, attention is called to their star-to-star scatter, the dominance of r-process synthesis at lowest metallicities, the puzzle of the lighter members…
Observations of metal-poor Galactic halo stars indicate that the abundance pattern of the (heaviest) neutron-capture elements is consistent with the scaled solar system r-process abundances. Utilizing the radioactive (r-process) element…
We discuss the highlights of our recent research, specifically the refractory vs. volatile interpretation of the rise of [O/Fe] with decreasing [Fe/H], and the issue of primary vs. secondary evolution of Be.
UVES observations at ESO/VLT of the DLA at z=3.39 towards QSO 0000-2621 provided refined abundances for Fe, Si, N, Ni, and new abundances for O, Ar, P, Zn, Cr, H2. These determinations confirm that the system has remarkable properties with…
The 8m class telescopes allow for the first time to study stars of external galaxies with the same resolution and S/N ratio which has been so far used for Galactic stars. It is quite likely that this study will shake some of our current…
A review is presented of the p-process in Type II supernovae, one of its goals being to enlighten the changes in views on this nucleosynthesis mechanism since the work of Jean and Jim on the subject in 1975. Specific discussions are also…
Thin and Thick disk metallicities overlap, but alpha(Fe) relations differ; there is also a hiatus in time before the first thin-disk stars, with a minimum metallicity [Fe/H] = -0.6. Thus there are two `G-dwarf' problems. We fit metallicity…
A general review of the relevance of classical novae for the chemical evolution of the Galaxy, as well as for Galactic radioactivity is presented. A special emphasis is put on the pioneering work done by Jim Truran in this field of…
At present, there are several feasible observational probes of the first stars in the universe. Here, we examine the constraints on early stellar activity from the metallicity of the high-redshift Ly-$\alpha$ clouds, from the effects of…