Uranium in the spectrum of an old star

The observed spectrum (dots) of the old star HE 1523-0901in the region of the uranium (U II) line at a wavelength of 385.96 nm. The origin of some of the other spectral lines in the region is also indicated (e.g. iron, neodymium, samarium, magnesium). The synthetic spectrum (thin and dotted lines) was computed for the adopted abundances of the stable elements and for four different values of the abundance of uranium atoms in the atmosphere of the star. The uppermost line (corresponding to no uranium at all) clearly does not fit the observed spectrum at all. The best fit is provided by the middle (red) line.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso0723b
Type:Observation
Release date:10 May 2007
Related releases:eso0723
Size:1184 x 795 px

About the Object

Name:HE 1523-0901
Type:Milky Way : Star
Distance:90 light years
Category:Stars

Image Formats

Large JPEG
138.0 KB
Screensize JPEG
117.0 KB

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Ultraviolet
UII
385 nmVery Large Telescope
UVES