Gamma-Ray Line Emission from sup 26 Al Produced by Wolf-Rayet Stars

摘要

The recent satellite observations of the 1.8 MeV line from the decay of sup 26 Al has given a new impetus to the study of the nucleosynthesis of sup 26 Al. In this communication we discuss the production and ejection of sup 26 Al by massive mass-losing stars (Of and WR stars), in the light of recent stellar models. We also derive the longitude distribution of the sup 26 Al gamma-ray line emission produced by the galactic collection of WR stars, based on various estimates of their radial distribution. This longitude profile provides i) a specific signature of massive stars on the background of other potential sup 26 Al sources, as novae, supernovae, certain red giants and possibly AGB stars and ii) a possible tool to improve the data analysis of the HEAO 3 and SMM experiments. (ERA citation 11:041919)