Low-Mass Extremely Metal-Poor Stellar Models: Yields, Uncertainties and the Galactic Halo Stars

Abstract

Abstract.We have calculated a set of low-mass (0.85 M M 3.0 M ) zero metallicity and extremely metal-poor (−6.5 [Fe/H] −3.0) stellar models, including nucleosynthetic yields for 74 species. As far as we are aware these are the first detailed yields in the mass and metallicity range considered. Due to the difficulty in modelling such stars the yields naturally contain numerous uncertainties, and thus present interesting challenges for future stellar modelling. We briefly present some results in the context of the Galactic Halo star observations, and also discuss qualitatively some of the uncertainties in the modelling. We conclude by suggesting that much work is still necessary in this research area. For example, multidimensional fluid dynamics models are needed to simulate the violent proton ingestion events that occur during the core He flash and early TPAGB, observations and theory of mass loss at low metallicities are needed, the effects of reaction rate uncertainties need to be quantified, and low temperature opacities variable in carbon (and nitrogen) need to be included in the models.