Astrophysical Models of r-Process Nucleosynthesis: An Update

Abstract

An update on astrophysical models for nucleosynthesis via rapid neutron capture, the r process, is given. A neutrino-induced r process in supernova helium shells may have operated up to metallicities of ~10^-3 times the solar value. Another r-process source, possibly neutron star mergers, is required for higher metallicities.

Comments: 8 pages, invited talk given at 11th International Symposium on Origin of Matter and Evolution of Galaxies (OMEG11), Wako, Japan