CAREER: Nucleosynthesis in Degenerate Stars

密集的恒星引起了宇宙中一些最强大的爆炸。例如，当白矮星点燃失控的核反应时，它们会在生命的最后以超新星的形式爆炸。这些爆炸可以在很远的地方看到，对测量宇宙的膨胀很重要。这些热爆炸将电离的铁、镍和其他金属驱逐到太空中，留下密集的中子星。中子星也可以由两颗中子星合并而爆炸。这次爆炸非常不同，它产生了非常重的元素，比如金和钡。美国国家科学基金会资助的激光干涉仪引力波天文台（LIGO）最近发现了中子星合并。研究人员将通过对附近星系中钡、铁和其他金属的敏感观测来估计中子星合并的速率。研究人员的目标是了解哪种类型的爆炸产生了在地球和整个宇宙中发现的元素。高中生将在暑假期间参与这项研究。研究者将通过提供津贴来鼓励新学生群体的加入。调查员还计划实施分层指导。教师将指导博士后，博士后将指导研究生。研究生指导本科生，本科生指导高中生。这种策略已经被证明可以鼓励年轻的学生从事研究工作。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Dense stars cause some of the most powerful explosions in the Universe. For example, white dwarf stars explode at the end of their lives as Supernovae, when they ignite a runaway nuclear reaction. These explosions can be seen at great distances and are important for measuring the expansion of the Universe. These hot explosions expel ionized iron, nickel and other metals into space, leaving behind dense neutron stars. Neutron stars can also explode by merger of two neutron stars. This explosion is very different, and creates very heavy elements, like gold and barium. Neutron star mergers have recently been discovered with the NSF-funded Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO). The investigator will estimate the rate of neutron star mergers by sensitive observations of the amounts of barium, iron and other metals in nearby galaxies. The investigator's goal is to understand which types of explosions have created the elements found on Earth and throughout the Universe.High school students will participate in this research during the summer. The investigator will encourage the inclusion of new groups of students by offering stipends. The investigator also plans to implement tiers of mentoring. Faculty will mentor postdocs, who will mentor graduate students. The graduate students will mentor undergraduate students, who will mentor high school students. This strategy has been shown to encourage younger students to pursue research careers.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.