Abundance Anomalies in Globular Cluster Stars

¹ Centre for Stellar and Planetary Astrophysics, Monash University, 3800, Australia
² Institute of Astronomy, The Observatories, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HA, UK

Abstract

We present a summary of the extensive problems posed by the curious abundance correlations seen in stars in Galactic globular clusters. We discuss three scenarios, and conclude that only one seems to be consistent with the observations. Even this is still rather unsatisfying from many viewpoints. We determine the kind of nucleosynthesis required and discuss AGB stars as the possible source. Some calculations seem to rule out AGB stars and others seem to favour them. The reasons for the differences are discussed. No satisfying conclusion is reached!