1999/11/15 by A. Weiss, S. Cassisi, H. Schlattl +1 · 3 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Nuclear physics research studies #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1086/308661
published as Astrophys.J. 533 (2000) 413 · Accepted for publication in ApJ
arxiv created 1999/11/15 · openalex publication_date 2000/04/10 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We investigate the evolution of low-mass metal-free Population III stars. Emphasis is laid upon the question of internal and external sources for CNO-elements, which - if present in sufficient amounts in the hydrogen-burning regions - lead to a strong modification of the stars' evolutionary behavior. For the production of carbon due to nuclear processes inside the stars, we use an extended nuclear network, demonstrating that hot pp-chains do not suffice to produce enough carbon or are less effective than the 3#alpha#-process. As an external source of CNO-elements we test the efficiency of pollution by a nearby massive star combined with particle diffusion. For all cases investigated, the additional metals fail to reach nuclear burning regions before deep convection on the Red Giant Branch obliterates the previous evolution. The surface abundance history of the polluted Pop III stars is presented. The possibilities to discriminate between a Pop II and a polluted Pop III field star are also discussed. (orig.)