Phosphorus-rich stars with unusual abundances are challenging theoretical predictions

Thomas Masseron (), D. A. García-Hernández, Raúl Santoveña, Arturo Manchado, Olga Zamora, Minia Manteiga and Carlos Dafonte
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Thomas Masseron: Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
D. A. García-Hernández: Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
Raúl Santoveña: CITIC, Centre for Information and Communications Technology Research, Universidade da Coruña, Campus de Elviña sn
Arturo Manchado: Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
Olga Zamora: Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
Minia Manteiga: CITIC, Centre for Information and Communications Technology Research, Universidade da Coruña, Campus de Elviña sn
Carlos Dafonte: CITIC, Centre for Information and Communications Technology Research, Universidade da Coruña, Campus de Elviña sn

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Almost all chemical elements have been made by nucleosynthetic reactions in various kind of stars and have been accumulated along our cosmic history. Among those elements, the origin of phosphorus is of extreme interest because it is known to be essential for life such as we know on Earth. However, current models of (Galactic) chemical evolution under-predict the phosphorus we observe in our Solar System. Here we report the discovery of 15 phosphorus-rich stars with unusual overabundances of O, Mg, Si, Al, and Ce. Phosphorus-rich stars likely inherit their peculiar chemistry from another nearby stellar source but their intriguing chemical abundance pattern challenge the present stellar nucleosynthesis theoretical predictions. Specific effects such as rotation or advanced nucleosynthesis in convective-reactive regions in massive stars represent the most promising alternatives to explain the existence of phosphorus-rich stars. The phosphorus-rich stars progenitors may significantly contribute to the phosphorus present on Earth today.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17649-9

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