Related papers: The effects of He I 10830 on helium abundance dete…
We present near-infrared spectroscopic observations of the high-intensity HeI 10830 emission line in 45 low-metallicity HII regions. We combined these NIR data with spectroscopic data in the optical range to derive the primordial He…
Currently, the primordial helium abundance is best estimated through spectroscopic observations of H II regions in metal-poor galaxies. However these determinations are limited by several systematic uncertainties which ultimately limit our…
Observations of metal-poor extragalactic H II regions allow the determination of the primordial helium abundance, Y_p. The He I emissivities are the foundation of the model of the H II region's emission. Porter, Ferland, Storey, & Detisch…
Accurately determining the elemental abundances of a low metallicity nebula strongly depends on measuring the density (n$_e$) and temperature (T$_e$) of the gas. Because these two parameters are inherently degenerate when derived solely…
The precision measurement of the primordial helium abundance $Y_p$ is a powerful probe of the early Universe. The most common way to determine $Y_p$ is analyses of observations of metal-poor \HII regions found in blue compact dwarf…
Tests of big bang nucleosynthesis and early universe cosmology require precision measurements for helium abundance determinations. However, efforts to determine the primordial helium abundance via observations of metal poor H II regions…
A reanalysis is made for the helium abundance determination for the Izotov-Thuan (2004) spectroscopic sample of extragalactic H II regions. We find that the effect of underlying stellar absorption of the He I lines, which is more important…
We study the effect that the temperature structure has on the determination of the primordial helium abundance, Yp. We provide an equation linking T(OIII), the temperature derived from the [OIII] lines, and T(HeII), the temperature of the…
This paper describes a new determination of the primordial helium abundance (Y_P), based on the abundance analysis of five metal-poor extragalactic HII regions. For three regions of the sample (SBS 0335-052, I Zw 18, and H29) we present…
We determine the primordial helium mass fraction Yp using 93 spectra of 86 low-metallicity extragalactic HII regions. This sample constitutes the largest and most homogeneous high-quality data sets in existence for the determination of Yp.…
We include new data in an updated analysis of helium in low metallicity extragalactic HII regions with the goal of deriving the primordial abundance of He4 (Y_P). We show that the new observations of Izotov et al (ITL) are consistent with…
Spectroscopic observations of the chemical abundances in metal-poor H II regions provide an independent method for estimating the primordial helium abundance. H II regions are described by several physical parameters such as electron…
We present Keck NIRSPEC and Keck NIRES spectroscopy of sixteen metal-poor galaxies that have pre-existing optical observations. The near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy specifically targets the HeI 10830A emission line, due to its sensitivity…
The precise measurement of stellar abundances plays a pivotal role in providing constraints on the chemical evolution of the Galaxy. However, before spectral lines can be employed as reliable abundance indicators, particularly for…
Recent advances on the quest to determine the primordial or pregalactic helium abundance, Yp, are reviewed. There are seven problems affecting the He/H abundance determinations of H II regions that are briefly discussed: the underlying…
Extremely low metallicity HII regions have been observed with the goal of determining the primordial helium abundance ($Y_{\rm p}$). $Y_{\rm p}$, combined with standard big bang nucleosynthesis and the half-life of the neutron, provides a…
Of the light element abundances capable of testing standard big bang nucleosynthesis, only He4 is measured with an accuracy of a few percent. Thus, it is imperative to establish a comprehensive technique for determining He4 abundances and…
The paper presents a simplified formula to determine an electron temperature, Te(He I), for planetary nebulae (PNe) using the He I 7281/6678 line flux ratio. In our previous studies of Te(He I) (Zhang et al. 2005), we used the He I line…
Helium is a pivotal element in understanding multiple main sequences and extended horizontal branches observed in some globular clusters. Here we present a spectroscopic study of helium in the nearby globular cluster M4. We have obtained…
The primordial helium abundance Y_p is commonly inferred from abundance determinations in low-metallicity extragalactic HII-regions. Such determinations may be subject to systematic uncertainties that are investigated here. Particular…