C-12/C-13 isotope ratio of the interstellar medium in the neighborhood of the sun

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/165342· OSTI ID:6147591

Hawkins, I; Jura, M

Data from observations of Xi Per, P Cyg, 20 Tau, and 23 Tau, obtained at 4232 and 3957 A using a coude spectrograph and a 1872-element reticon on the 3-m Shane telescope at Lick Observatory during 1984-1985, are combined with data on Zeta Oph (Hawkins et al., 1985) and used to estimate the C isotope ratio of the ISM near the sun. The results are presented in extensive tables and graphs and characterized in detail. The (C-12)H(+)/(C-13)H(+) abundance ratios toward the five stars are found to agree to within 12 percent and shown to be representative of the C-12/C-13 ratios in the gas, strongly indicating that the local ISM is homogeneous. The difference between the ISM ratio (43 + or - 4) and the solar-system value (89) is attributed to the chemical evolution of the ISM in the 4.9 Gyr since the formation of the sun. 78 references.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Los Angeles
• OSTI ID: 6147591
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 317; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABUNDANCE
CARBON 12
CARBON 13
CARBON ISOTOPES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
GALAXIES
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
ISOTOPE RATIO
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MAIN SEQUENCE STARS
MILKY WAY
NUCLEI
SPACE
STABLE ISOTOPES
STAR EVOLUTION
STARS
SUN