Tracing Starlight: How Ultraviolet Observations Reveal the Heavy Elements in HD 196944
Roederer et al. used ultraviolet spectra from the Hubble Space Telescope to study HD 196944, a carbon-enhanced metal-poor star rich in s-process elements. They detected 35 heavy elements, the most ever found in such a star, and showed these likely came from a former AGB companion. Their results confirm that UV spectroscopy can reveal new details about how stars create the universe’s heaviest elements.
Seeing the Invisible: Why We Need High-Resolution Ultraviolet Spectroscopy to Understand the Universe
This paper argues that high-resolution ultraviolet spectroscopy is essential for studying cold, slow-moving gas in space. It enables detailed analysis of the interstellar medium, exoplanet atmospheres, circumstellar disks, and galactic halos. Current instruments like HST’s STIS are limited, and future telescopes must offer greater sensitivity and resolution to unlock key astrophysical insights.