Astron. Astrophys. 355, 176-180 (2000)

6. Conclusion

Detailed stellar model predictions made in the framework of a very rough model for the chemical evolution of the solar neighbourhood leads to the conclusion that non-exploding non-rotating single WR stars alone could account for the solar content. This conclusion remains to be ascertained by the adoption of a more realistic galactic evolution model. Still, it appears likely that the considered WR stars might be significant, and even possibly dominant, galactic contributors. In addition, they might well be responsible for a enrichment, if any, of high-redshift () low-metallicity regions ( 0.1 ). Further predictions are eagerly awaited for rotating, as well as binary, WR stars.

Finally, let us stress that the most direct test of the present model would be the measurement of the abundance of fluorine in the wind of WC stars. It remains to be seen if such observations are really feasible.

© European Southern Observatory (ESO) 2000

Online publication: March 17, 2000
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