The galactic chemical evolution of carbon: Implications for stellar nucleosynthesis

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ID: 317725
2026
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Abstract
Abstract Carbon (C) is thought to be produced by both core collapse supernovae (CCSN) and asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, but the relative contributions of these two sources are uncertain. We investigate the astrophysical origin of C using models of Galactic chemical evolution (GCE) appropriate for the Milky Way disk. We benchmark our results against APOGEE subgiant abundances. The trend between [C/Mg] and [Mg/H] is set by the total C yield as a function of metallicity. Observations indicate a gently rising [C/Mg] with [Mg/H], but AGB C production is predicted to decline with metallicity. Our sample therefore favours a scenario in which CCSN yields rise with metallicity to offset declining AGB C yields and drive a subtle increase in [C/Mg] with [Mg/H]. This result is consistent with massive star nucleosynthesis models incorporating rotation. The [C/Mg]-[Mg/Fe] trend is sensitive to delayed enrichment and therefore constrains the amount of AGB C production. Given the slope of this relation, we find that AGB stars likely account for 10–40percnt of C at solar metallicity. Artificially shifting the AGB C yields towards lower mass stars with longer lifetimes also improves agreement with the observed [C/Mg]-[Mg/Fe] trend, possibly indicating a discrepancy with stellar evolution predictions or our assumed Fe production rate.
Reference Key
openalex_W4416777471 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Daniel A. Boyea, James W. Johnson, David H. Weinberg
Journal monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/mnras/stag1155
URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stag1155
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