ESA Science & Technology - 26Al production in gamma-2 Velorum

Publication date: 26 July 2005

Authors: Mowlawi, N., et al.

Journal: Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Nuclei in the Cosmos Vancouver
Volume: 758
Page: 3-859
Year: 2005

Copyright: 2005 Elsevier

The closest Wolf-Rayet star, WR 11 in the binary system 2 Velorum, is the only star for which the spectral signature of the ²⁶Al produced in its core is expected to be detectable with current gamma-ray instruments, through the 1.8 MeV decay of that radioactive nucleus.

We present here the current status of both model predictions, from calculations of massive star evolution including rotation of stellar interior, and from data on 2 Velorum obtained by the ESA's gamma-ray satellite INTEGRAL over the first year of its mission.