Impact of Proton-Capture Reaction Cycles on Isotopic Oxygen (<sup>16</sup>O) Abundances in Stars from Galactic Open Clusters NGC 2324, NGC 2477, and NGC 3960

Apurba Talukdar; Abhasri Rajbongshi; Mrinmay Medhi; Upakul Mahanta

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16

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| Peer-Reviewed

Impact of Proton-Capture Reaction Cycles on Isotopic Oxygen (¹⁶O) Abundances in Stars from Galactic Open Clusters NGC 2324, NGC 2477, and NGC 3960

Apurba Talukdar^*

, Abhasri Rajbongshi

, Mrinmay Medhi

, Upakul Mahanta

Published in American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics (Volume 12, Issue 3)

Received: 8 July 2025 Accepted: 21 July 2025 Published: 20 August 2025

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Abstract

Elemental abundances in stars are crucial for understanding stellar properties and tracing the chemical evolution of galaxies. This study investigates the impact of proton-capture (p-capture) reactions on the abundance of isotopic oxygen (¹⁶O). We model the carbon-nitrogen-oxygen-fluorine (CNOF) nuclear reaction cycle under stellar conditions typical for advanced burning stages, specifically a temperature range of 1 × 10⁸ − 2.5 × 10⁸ K and a density of 103gm/cc. Our nucleosynthesis calculations estimate the final ¹⁶O abundance produced within stars under these conditions. We then hypothesise that this processed material is ejected from the stars’ surfaces via rotationally induced mass loss, enriching the surrounding medium. To test this model, we compare our theoretically estimated oxygen abundances, [O/H], with high-resolution spectroscopic abundances observed in member stars of three Galactic open clusters: NGC 2324, NGC 2477, and NGC 3960. These clusters provide well-characterised samples of stars with near-solar metallicities. A quantitative comparison reveals excellent agreement between our estimated and the observed [O/H] values for stars across all three open clusters. A statistical analysis yields a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.78, indicating a strong positive correlation between our model predictions and the observational data which has also been assisted by Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) values for each cluster. This result suggests that the specific p-capture pathways within the CNOF cycle, with the suggestion that factors like rotational mass-loss mechanism, could be one of the significant scenarios in determining the final surface oxygen content observed in these stellar populations.

Published in	American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics (Volume 12, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16
Page(s)	112-125
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

H-burning, Proton-Capture, Metallicity, Open Cluster, Nucleosynthesis, CNOF Cycle

References

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Talukdar, A., Rajbongshi, A., Medhi, M., Mahanta, U. (2025). Impact of Proton-Capture Reaction Cycles on Isotopic Oxygen (16O) Abundances in Stars from Galactic Open Clusters NGC 2324, NGC 2477, and NGC 3960. American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics, 12(3), 112-125. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16

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ACS Style

Talukdar, A.; Rajbongshi, A.; Medhi, M.; Mahanta, U. Impact of Proton-Capture Reaction Cycles on Isotopic Oxygen (16O) Abundances in Stars from Galactic Open Clusters NGC 2324, NGC 2477, and NGC 3960. Am. J. Astron. Astrophys. 2025, 12(3), 112-125. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16

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AMA Style

Talukdar A, Rajbongshi A, Medhi M, Mahanta U. Impact of Proton-Capture Reaction Cycles on Isotopic Oxygen (16O) Abundances in Stars from Galactic Open Clusters NGC 2324, NGC 2477, and NGC 3960. Am J Astron Astrophys. 2025;12(3):112-125. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16

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@article{10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16,
  author = {Apurba Talukdar and Abhasri Rajbongshi and Mrinmay Medhi and Upakul Mahanta},
  title = {Impact of Proton-Capture Reaction Cycles on Isotopic Oxygen (16O) Abundances in Stars from Galactic Open Clusters NGC 2324, NGC 2477, and NGC 3960
},
  journal = {American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics},
  volume = {12},
  number = {3},
  pages = {112-125},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajaa.20251203.16},
  abstract = {Elemental abundances in stars are crucial for understanding stellar properties and tracing the chemical evolution of galaxies. This study investigates the impact of proton-capture (p-capture) reactions on the abundance of isotopic oxygen (16O). We model the carbon-nitrogen-oxygen-fluorine (CNOF) nuclear reaction cycle under stellar conditions typical for advanced burning stages, specifically a temperature range of 1 × 108 − 2.5 × 108 K and a density of 103gm/cc. Our nucleosynthesis calculations estimate the final 16O abundance produced within stars under these conditions. We then hypothesise that this processed material is ejected from the stars’ surfaces via rotationally induced mass loss, enriching the surrounding medium. To test this model, we compare our theoretically estimated oxygen abundances, [O/H], with high-resolution spectroscopic abundances observed in member stars of three Galactic open clusters: NGC 2324, NGC 2477, and NGC 3960. These clusters provide well-characterised samples of stars with near-solar metallicities. A quantitative comparison reveals excellent agreement between our estimated and the observed [O/H] values for stars across all three open clusters. A statistical analysis yields a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.78, indicating a strong positive correlation between our model predictions and the observational data which has also been assisted by Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) values for each cluster. This result suggests that the specific p-capture pathways within the CNOF cycle, with the suggestion that factors like rotational mass-loss mechanism, could be one of the significant scenarios in determining the final surface oxygen content observed in these stellar populations.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Impact of Proton-Capture Reaction Cycles on Isotopic Oxygen (16O) Abundances in Stars from Galactic Open Clusters NGC 2324, NGC 2477, and NGC 3960

AU  - Apurba Talukdar
AU  - Abhasri Rajbongshi
AU  - Mrinmay Medhi
AU  - Upakul Mahanta
Y1  - 2025/08/20
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16
T2  - American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics
JF  - American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics
JO  - American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics
SP  - 112
EP  - 125
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-4686
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16
AB  - Elemental abundances in stars are crucial for understanding stellar properties and tracing the chemical evolution of galaxies. This study investigates the impact of proton-capture (p-capture) reactions on the abundance of isotopic oxygen (16O). We model the carbon-nitrogen-oxygen-fluorine (CNOF) nuclear reaction cycle under stellar conditions typical for advanced burning stages, specifically a temperature range of 1 × 108 − 2.5 × 108 K and a density of 103gm/cc. Our nucleosynthesis calculations estimate the final 16O abundance produced within stars under these conditions. We then hypothesise that this processed material is ejected from the stars’ surfaces via rotationally induced mass loss, enriching the surrounding medium. To test this model, we compare our theoretically estimated oxygen abundances, [O/H], with high-resolution spectroscopic abundances observed in member stars of three Galactic open clusters: NGC 2324, NGC 2477, and NGC 3960. These clusters provide well-characterised samples of stars with near-solar metallicities. A quantitative comparison reveals excellent agreement between our estimated and the observed [O/H] values for stars across all three open clusters. A statistical analysis yields a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.78, indicating a strong positive correlation between our model predictions and the observational data which has also been assisted by Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) values for each cluster. This result suggests that the specific p-capture pathways within the CNOF cycle, with the suggestion that factors like rotational mass-loss mechanism, could be one of the significant scenarios in determining the final surface oxygen content observed in these stellar populations.

VL  - 12
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Apurba Talukdar

Department of Physics, Bhattadev University, Pathsala, India

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0006-2712-4996
Abhasri Rajbongshi

Department of Physics, Bhattadev University, Pathsala, India

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0001-2783-2996
Mrinmay Medhi

Department of Physics, Bhattadev University, Pathsala, India

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8154-2009
Upakul Mahanta

Department of Physics, Bhattadev University, Pathsala, India

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http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0490-2637

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Talukdar, A., Rajbongshi, A., Medhi, M., Mahanta, U. (2025). Impact of Proton-Capture Reaction Cycles on Isotopic Oxygen (16O) Abundances in Stars from Galactic Open Clusters NGC 2324, NGC 2477, and NGC 3960. American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics, 12(3), 112-125. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16

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ACS Style

Talukdar, A.; Rajbongshi, A.; Medhi, M.; Mahanta, U. Impact of Proton-Capture Reaction Cycles on Isotopic Oxygen (16O) Abundances in Stars from Galactic Open Clusters NGC 2324, NGC 2477, and NGC 3960. Am. J. Astron. Astrophys. 2025, 12(3), 112-125. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16

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AMA Style

Talukdar A, Rajbongshi A, Medhi M, Mahanta U. Impact of Proton-Capture Reaction Cycles on Isotopic Oxygen (16O) Abundances in Stars from Galactic Open Clusters NGC 2324, NGC 2477, and NGC 3960. Am J Astron Astrophys. 2025;12(3):112-125. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16,
  author = {Apurba Talukdar and Abhasri Rajbongshi and Mrinmay Medhi and Upakul Mahanta},
  title = {Impact of Proton-Capture Reaction Cycles on Isotopic Oxygen (16O) Abundances in Stars from Galactic Open Clusters NGC 2324, NGC 2477, and NGC 3960
},
  journal = {American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics},
  volume = {12},
  number = {3},
  pages = {112-125},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajaa.20251203.16},
  abstract = {Elemental abundances in stars are crucial for understanding stellar properties and tracing the chemical evolution of galaxies. This study investigates the impact of proton-capture (p-capture) reactions on the abundance of isotopic oxygen (16O). We model the carbon-nitrogen-oxygen-fluorine (CNOF) nuclear reaction cycle under stellar conditions typical for advanced burning stages, specifically a temperature range of 1 × 108 − 2.5 × 108 K and a density of 103gm/cc. Our nucleosynthesis calculations estimate the final 16O abundance produced within stars under these conditions. We then hypothesise that this processed material is ejected from the stars’ surfaces via rotationally induced mass loss, enriching the surrounding medium. To test this model, we compare our theoretically estimated oxygen abundances, [O/H], with high-resolution spectroscopic abundances observed in member stars of three Galactic open clusters: NGC 2324, NGC 2477, and NGC 3960. These clusters provide well-characterised samples of stars with near-solar metallicities. A quantitative comparison reveals excellent agreement between our estimated and the observed [O/H] values for stars across all three open clusters. A statistical analysis yields a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.78, indicating a strong positive correlation between our model predictions and the observational data which has also been assisted by Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) values for each cluster. This result suggests that the specific p-capture pathways within the CNOF cycle, with the suggestion that factors like rotational mass-loss mechanism, could be one of the significant scenarios in determining the final surface oxygen content observed in these stellar populations.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Impact of Proton-Capture Reaction Cycles on Isotopic Oxygen (16O) Abundances in Stars from Galactic Open Clusters NGC 2324, NGC 2477, and NGC 3960

AU  - Apurba Talukdar
AU  - Abhasri Rajbongshi
AU  - Mrinmay Medhi
AU  - Upakul Mahanta
Y1  - 2025/08/20
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16
T2  - American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics
JF  - American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics
JO  - American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics
SP  - 112
EP  - 125
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-4686
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaa.20251203.16
AB  - Elemental abundances in stars are crucial for understanding stellar properties and tracing the chemical evolution of galaxies. This study investigates the impact of proton-capture (p-capture) reactions on the abundance of isotopic oxygen (16O). We model the carbon-nitrogen-oxygen-fluorine (CNOF) nuclear reaction cycle under stellar conditions typical for advanced burning stages, specifically a temperature range of 1 × 108 − 2.5 × 108 K and a density of 103gm/cc. Our nucleosynthesis calculations estimate the final 16O abundance produced within stars under these conditions. We then hypothesise that this processed material is ejected from the stars’ surfaces via rotationally induced mass loss, enriching the surrounding medium. To test this model, we compare our theoretically estimated oxygen abundances, [O/H], with high-resolution spectroscopic abundances observed in member stars of three Galactic open clusters: NGC 2324, NGC 2477, and NGC 3960. These clusters provide well-characterised samples of stars with near-solar metallicities. A quantitative comparison reveals excellent agreement between our estimated and the observed [O/H] values for stars across all three open clusters. A statistical analysis yields a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.78, indicating a strong positive correlation between our model predictions and the observational data which has also been assisted by Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) values for each cluster. This result suggests that the specific p-capture pathways within the CNOF cycle, with the suggestion that factors like rotational mass-loss mechanism, could be one of the significant scenarios in determining the final surface oxygen content observed in these stellar populations.

VL  - 12
IS  - 3
ER  -

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