Where Can I Find Data on Stellar Types and Their Locations in the Milky Way?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on locating data regarding the types and distribution of stars in the Milky Way, specifically for a graduate school project on modeling supernova rates. Richard seeks rough estimates of star counts, such as red giants and massive red giants, and their spatial distribution within the galaxy. Key resources provided include estimates of approximately 1011 stars in the Milky Way and various academic papers and websites that discuss stellar populations and chemical evolution.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of stellar classification, including types I and II supernovae.
  • Familiarity with the Milky Way's structure and stellar distribution.
  • Knowledge of chemical evolution in galaxies and stellar nucleosynthesis.
  • Experience with astronomical databases and research methodologies.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the "Initial Mass Function" and its impact on star formation.
  • Explore the "Abundance Distributions" of chemical elements in the Milky Way.
  • Investigate the use of "high-resolution spectrometers" in studying stellar populations.
  • Review the paper "Genesis of the Heaviest Elements in the Milky Way Galaxy" for insights on stellar nucleosynthesis.
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy graduate students, astrophysicists, and researchers focused on stellar evolution and supernova modeling will benefit from this discussion.

robousy
Messages
332
Reaction score
1
Hey folks,

I'm currently at grad school and am working on an algorithm to try and model the rate of supernova (type I and II) in our galaxy.

I really need to know the following information.

1) Where can I find information on HOW MANY of the different types of stars there are in our galaxy. E.g, how many red giants, how many massive red giants. ( I just need rough numbers).

2) Is there any information on there (rough) location. i.e Are some stars likely to be located closer to the center of the galaxy than others.


I've done quite an extensive google search but don't seem to find the info I'm looking for.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Richard
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
I am hoping Space Tiger, Garth, Cronos or others will pop in here, but here is a start or at least an attempt -

Estimate of 1011 stars in Milky Way - http://abyss.uoregon.edu/~js/ast123/lectures/lec10.html
http://abyss.uoregon.edu/~js/ast222/lectures/lec19.html[/URL]

See if one can find this paper or contact the author -
[PLAIN]http://www.aas.org/publications/baas/v35n5/aas203/1236.htm[/URL]
[QUOTE]Stars are responsible for most of the production of elements in the universe heavier than hydrogen and helium. The genesis of these elements occurs via many different nuclear processes across a broad range of stellar masses. The build-up of the heavy elements in a galaxy is driven by the combination of star formation, stellar evolution, and stellar death, resulting in chemical evolution within a stellar population. Abundance distributions of the chemical elements will display variations that depend on such factors as the initial mass function, star formation histories, or whether heavy-element enriched stellar ejecta are lost from a galaxy, or external gas falls into a galaxy. Observed abundance distributions from a variety of galaxies or stellar populations can be used to infer the chemical enrichment histories as a function of galactic environment. Detailed abundances can now be derived in a number of Local Group galaxies using high-resolution spectrometers on 8-10 meter telescopes. We will discuss the nature of chemical evolution in some nearby Local Group galaxies and compare these to what is observed in the Milky Way disk and halo populations. [/QUOTE]


http://www.ras.ucalgary.ca/CGPS/where/plan/

[url]http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/~barnes/ast626_95/pcmw.html[/url]

[url]http://ifa.hawaii.edu/~barnes/ast626_97/pcmw.html[/url]

[url]http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v382/n6592/abs/382602a0.html[/url]

[PLAIN]http://www.eso.org/outreach/press-rel/pr-2004/pr-08-04.html[/URL]


This might be of interest - Genesis of the Heaviest Elements in the Milky Way Galaxy
[url]http://www.nhn.ou.edu/~cowan/msrev2.pdf[/url]
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
495
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K