Silver Stars

Abstract

The rapid neutron-capture process (r-process), which produces some of the heaviest elements, is not well understood. Obtaining accurate abundances of these heavy elements (Z > 38) is important, both in the context of the chemical evolution of the Galaxy and for understanding the site(s) and process(es) of formation of those elements. We have determined elemental abundances for several r-process elements, notably silver, from high resolution VLT/UVES spectra. Silver was chosen because it is predominantly a light r-process element (38 < Z < 50), and little is known about its formation and evolution in the Galaxy. Here, we present our preliminary results.