Current rate of nucleosynthesis and its implications

Abstract

The current rate of nucleosynthesis in the solar neighbourhood is re-evaluated on the basis of Arnett’s (1978) stellar yields, the mass loss models of Chiosi, Nasi and Sreenivasan (1978) and the initial mass function determined by Lequeux (1978). If massive stars are held responsible for most of the metals we observe, a higher birthrate of these stars in the past is indicated in view of the low current rate of nucleosynthesis. The intermediate mass stars may not supply the bulk of the metals unless total disruption of their carbon core takes place. While a declining birthrate is in conflict with the result obtained from the age-metallicity relation of stars, it is supported by some galactic evolution models which interpret successfully the white dwarf mass distribution data. If the constraint of a nearly time-invariant birthrate were strictly accepted, then models of the prompt initial enrichment type are required to explain the observed abundances in terms of nucleosynthesis in massive stars.