| |
 |
| Paper: |
Habitable Worlds Observatory: The Nature of the Astrophysical r-process |
| Monograph: |
10, HWO25 Proceedings Part I: Community Science Case Development Documents |
| Page: |
79 |
| Authors: |
Ian U. Roederer; Rana Ezzeddine |
| DOI: |
10.26624/JZEW9999 |
| Abstract: |
We present the science case for characterizing the origin of the heaviest elements on the periodic table,
with a focus on those produced by the rapid neutron-capture process (r-process), using the Habitable Worlds
Observatory (HWO). High-resolution ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy can increase the number of r-process
elements detectable in cool stars by more than 50% relative to optical and infrared spectra. These elements
are key to characterizing the physical conditions that govern the r-process and identify the nature, sites, and
environments where r-process events occurred. HWO has the potential to greatly expand the sample of stars
where rarely studied heavy elements can be detected beyond the Solar neighborhood to the Galactic halo,
globular clusters, and dwarf galaxies. |
|
|
|
|
|
