¹²C(α, γ)¹⁶O: A Template for Nuclear Astrophysics

INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Teramo, Italy

Abstract

Stellar models are a fundamental tool to investigate the physical nature of stellar interiors, otherwise hidden to a direct observation. A change in the input physics used to build up a model produce different prescriptions for observable quantities. Thus, by comparing models predictions with astronomical data, we can try to constrain fundamental physics. The case of the ¹²C(α, γ)¹⁶O reaction is discussed in some details. Its relevance in various astrophysical contexts is reviewed.