Rocks, Stars, and Galaxies: New Insights into Chemical Evolution of the Universe

Yong-Zhong Qian (Minnesota)

Monday 11 February, 2:30 pm, Curia II

Based on meteoritic data in the solar system and extensive observations of abundances in metal-poor stars, a model for chemical evolution of the universe is developed to connect observations of the Galaxy to those of high-redshift systems. It is inferred that the first generation of stars formed from big bang debris must be dominated by very massive stars. The effects of such stars on reionization and galaxy formation are discussed.