R-process enrichment by a merger of neutron star pairs (T. Tsujimoto and T. Shigeyama)

Vol. 565
In section 1. Letters

Enrichment history of r-process elements shaped by a merger of neutron star pairs

The origin of the r-process elements remains a matter of debate. Core-collapse supernovae have been considered the most plausible source, but recent simulations show that they produce much smaller amounts of r-process elements than previously assumed. Here a study is presented that investigates whether material ejected by neutron star mergers might be the main source of r-process elements. The authors calculate the r-process enrichment history for this scenario and show that the results are consistent with observations of dwarf galaxies and of stars in the Galactic halo.