Photoionized nebulae, stars and the chemical evolution of galaxies
| Grant number: | 06/59453-0 |
| Support type: | Research Projects - Thematic Grants |
| Duration: | July 01, 2007 - June 30, 2011 |
| Field of knowledge: | Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Astronomy |
| Principal Investigator: | Walter Junqueira Maciel |
| Grantee: | Walter Junqueira Maciel |
| Home Institution: | Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas (IAG). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
| Co-Principal Investigators: | Roberto Dell'Aglio Dias da Costa |
| Associated scholarship(s): | 09/07477-1 - Probing atmospheres and circumstellar environments of Be stars and evolved low mass stars with interferometry and polarimetry,
BP.PD 09/01346-2 - Modelling of planetary nebulae with bipolar morphology, BP.MS 07/07704-2 - Populations and evolution of the bulge and the central region of the galaxy, BP.DR |
Abstract
This project is a continuation of our previous project, and its main goal is the study of the chemical evolution of systems such as the Milky Way, the Magellanic clouds and nearby galaxies, on the basis of photoionized nebulae, including planetary nebulae and HII regions, as well as stars. The main projects include: a determination of the chemical composition of galactic planetary nebulae, including objects in the solar neighborhood, disk and bulge, as well as the Mag¬ellanic clouds and other galaxies in the local group; a study of the chemical composition and electron temperatures of galactic HII and of HII regions in the local group, using both radio and optical data; analysis of abundance gradients in the galaxy and in other spiral galaxies, on the basis of planetary nebula data, as well as data from HII regions, young stars and other objects; a determination of the planetary nebula luminosity function in the galaxy, including disk and bulge objects, and a comparison with results for other galaxies in the local group; symbiotic stars, particularly studies involving the chemical composition and the physical processes associated with the x-ray emission; a study of the central stars of planetary nebulae, especially of their masses and the relation between the properties of the stellar winds and the stellar and nebular metallicity; the age-metallicity relationship and its relation to the kinematics of the galaxy. Also, a determination of the metallicity distribution and star formation in the galaxy and their time variations, and a search for a relationship between the oxygen and iron abundances in the galactic disk; the chemical evolution of galactic bulges, involving the development of theo¬retical models in order to fit the observed metallicity of bulge planetary nebulae and stars; the formation and evolution of open clusters in the galaxy, and an analysis of their kinematic properties. Also, a study of the self-enrichment in clusters and associations; a study of the evolution of AGB stars and planetary nebulae in the infrared, especially using the MSX and 2MASS surveys. Also, a spectroscopic survey of hot stars, using data already secured at the LNA observatory; a study of the kinematics, dynamics and chemical evolution of the galaxy, based on observed correlations between the rotation curve derived from planetary nebulae and HII regions, as well as the space distribution of these objects in the galaxy. In order to accomplish these scientific goals, the present project includes the acquisition of computer equipment, travel support for observing trips and discussions in the country. (AU)
| Articles published in Agência FAPESP Newsletter about the research grant |
| Research shows chemical evolution of galaxies |