Photoionized nebulae, stars and the chemical evolution of galaxies

• Grant number: 02/08816-5
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• Duration: March 01, 2003 - February 28, 2007
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Astronomy - Astrophysics of the Interstellar Medium
• Principal Investigator: Walter Junqueira Maciel
• Grantee: Walter Junqueira Maciel
• Host Institution: Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas (IAG). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 06/58240-3 - Planetary nebulae and central stars: stellar winds and metallicity, BP.DR

Abstract

The goal of this project is to study the evolution of systems such as the Milky Way, the Magellanic Clouds and nearby galaxies from the point of view of their chemical evolution, on the basis of photoionized nebulae, which include planetary nebulae and HII regions, as well as stars. The main projects include: abundance determination in planetary nebulae, HII regions and symbiotic stars. We will consider especially objects located in the anticentre direction as well as bulge objects, in the case of the Galaxy, and disk objects in nearby spiral galaxies; the study of abundance gradients, both radial and vertical, their space and time variations, on the basis of photoionized nebulae, and a comparison with the results based on young stars, such as cepheids and open cluster stars; metallicity distribution along the galactic disk based on dwarf stars, both in the present as well as in the past; stellar ages and the age-metallicity relation, particularly on the basis of chromo spheric ages; the initial mass function, the star formation rate in the Galaxy, and its temporal variations; the final evolution stages of intermediate mass stars and asymptotic branch stars, especially regarding their kinematics and infrared emission; emission line stars, central stars of planetary nebulae and symbiotic stars. In order to accomplish these scientific goals, the present project includes the acquisition of computer equipment, travel support for observing trips in the country and travel support for the project members in the country. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ORTIZ, R.; LORENZ-MARTINS, S.; RANGEL, E. M.; MACIEL, W. J.. Evolution from AGB to planetary nebula in the MSX survey. Astronomy & Astrophysics, v. 431, n. 2, p. 565-574, 2005. (02/08816-5)

MACIEL‚ WJ; LAGO‚ LG; COSTA‚ RDD. An estimate of the time variation of the abundance gradient from planetary nebulae. Astronomy & Astrophysics, v. 453, n. 2, p. 587-593, 2006. (02/08816-5)