Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2004-01-21
Astrophys.J. 606 (2004) 116-125
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
12 pages, 7 figs. Accepted for publication in ApJ (The Astrophysical Journal)
Scientific paper
10.1086/382781
We have investigated chemical evolution in the young universe by analysing the detailed chemical enrichment pattern of a metal-rich galaxy at high redshift. The recent detection of over 20 elements in the gas-phase of a damped Lyman-alpha absorber (DLA) at z = 2.626 represents an exciting new avenue for exploring early nucleosynthesis. Given a strict upper age of ~2.5 Gyr and a gas-phase metallicity about one third solar, we have shown the DLA abundance pattern to be consistent with the predictions of a chemical evolution model in which the interstellar enrichment is dominated by massive stars with a small contribution from Type Ia supernovae. Discrepancies between the empirical data and the models are used to highlight outstanding issues in nucleosynthesis theory, including a tendency for Type II supernovae models to overestimate the magnitude of the "odd-even" effect at subsolar metallicities. Our results suggest a possible need for supplemental sources of magnesium and zinc, beyond that provided by massive stars.
Fenner Yeshe
Gibson Brad K.
Prochaska Jason Xavier
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