On the composition of the stellar winds of the most massive stars - 100 solar masses to 2200 solar masses

Abstract

The evolution of 100 M_sun;, 150 M_sun;, and 2200 M_sun; stars has been studied, with the emphasis placed upon the composition of the material returned to the interstellar medium by the stellar winds. Stars with a mass greater than ≡100 M_sun; can do enough processing via the Na-Ne and Mg-Al cycles to redistribute these nuclei and produce significant amounts of <SUP>26</SUP>Al. Core helium-burning s-process nuclei also are injected into the interstellar medium. The strong stellar winds provide a large energy source for locally accelerating cosmic rays, which would modify the composition of the solar nebula by nuclear reactions.