Related papers: A new $^{12}$C + $^{12}$C nuclear reaction rate: i…
We discuss theoretical predictions concerning the evolution of globular cluster Pop.II stars vis-a-vis current estimates of standard errors in the determination of nuclear burning rates. Numerical evaluations are given for the dependence of…
We present a new measurement of the $\alpha$-spectroscopic factor ($S_\alpha$) and the asymptotic normalization coefficient (ANC) for the 6.356 MeV 1/2$^+$ subthreshold state of $^{17}$O through the $^{13}$C($^{11}$B, $^{7}$Li)$^{17}$O…
We investigate the effects of thermonuclear reaction rate uncertainties on nova nucleosynthesis. One-zone nucleosynthesis calculations have been performed by adopting temperature-density-time profiles of the hottest hydrogen-burning zone…
We have investigated the impact of the $^{14}N(p,\gamma)^{15}O$ reaction rate recently redetermined by the LUNA experiment, on the shell H-burning and core He-burning phases of low-mass, metal poor stellar models. The new reaction rate has…
Standard stellar evolution theory poorly predicts the surface abundances of chemical species in low-mass, red giant branch (RGB) stars. Observations show an enhancement of p-p chain and CNO cycle products in red giant envelopes, which…
Modern models of s-process nucleosynthesis in stars require stellar reaction rates with high precision. Most of the neutron capture cross sections in the s-process have been measured and for an increasing number of reactions the required…
It has been suggested that hydrogen ingestion into the helium shell of massive stars could lead to high $^{13}$C and $^{15}$N excesses when the shock of a core-collapse supernova passes through its helium shell. This prediction questions…
The $^{12}\text{C}(\alpha,\gamma){}^{16}\text{O}$ reaction plays a central role in astrophysics, but its cross section at energies relevant for astrophysical applications is only poorly constrained by laboratory data. The reduced $\alpha$…
We present a new stellar evolution code and a set of results, demonstrating its capability at calculating full evolutionary tracks for a wide range of masses and metallicities. The code is fast and efficient, and is capable of following…
Purpose: We have investigated the cross section around the lowest direct coincident gamma-particle measurements, where previously only limits could be established with the aim of obtaining a detailed description of the excitation function.…
Low mass Asymptotic Giant Branch stars are among the most important polluters of the interstellar medium. In their interiors, the main component (A>90) of the slow neutron capture process (the s-process) is synthesized, the most important…
Rotation is a key ingredient in the theory of stellar structure and evolution. Until now, stellar evolution codes operate in a 1-D framework for which the validity domain in regards to the rotation rate is not well understood. This letter…
Current models of s-nucleosynthesis in massive stars ($M\sim15 M_{\odot}$ to $\sim 30 M_{\odot}$) are able to reproduce some main features of the abundance distributions of heavy isotopes in the solar system, at least in the $A\sim 60-90$…
Properties of atomic nuclei important for the prediction of astrophysical reaction rates are reviewed. In the first part, a recent simulation of evolution and nucleosynthesis of stars between 15 and 25 solar masses is presented. This study…
Stars embedded in the accretion disks of active galactic nuclei (AGN) can accrete rapidly from their surroundings, dramatically altering their structure and evolution. However, feedback from the release of gravitational potential energy and…
Type I X-ray bursts (XRBs) are thermonuclear runaways on the surface of accreting neutron stars, powered by rapid proton-capture and alpha-capture processes on neutron-deficient nuclei. Uncertainties in the corresponding reaction rates…
We construct a two-zone model to describe H and He burning on the surface of an accreting neutron star and use it to study the triggering of type I X-ray bursts. Although highly simplified, the model reproduces all of the bursting regimes…
Neutron stars in close binary star systems often accrete matter from their companion stars. Thermonuclear ignition of the accreted material in the atmosphere of the neutron star leads to a thermonuclear explosion which is observed as an…
40K plays a significant role in the radiogenic heating of earth-like exoplanets, which can affect the development of a habitable environment on their surfaces. The initial amount of 40K in the interior of these planets depends on the…
We investigate the impact of the new LUNA rate for the nuclear reaction $^{22}$Ne$(p,\gamma)^{23}$Na on the chemical ejecta of intermediate-mass stars, with particular focus on the thermally-pulsing asymptotic giant branch (TP-AGB) stars…