On the carbon enrichment of the interstellar medium.

Abstract

The contribution of novae, IMS, and massive stars to the ¹²C and ¹³C enrichment of the interstellar medium is evaluated. The following results are obtained: a) novae are not important contributors to the ¹²C abundance but contribute significantly to ¹³C, b) limits to the ratio of the mixing length to the pressure scale height, α, and to the mass loss rate paramter, η, are derived for IMS, c) IMS are the main contributors to the ¹²C and ¹³C enrichment of the interstellar medium, d) it is easier to explain the solar vicinity ¹²C/¹³C ratio than the solar system ratio, e) to explain the ¹²C/¹³C ratio in the ISM the mass ejected per nova outburst has to be ∼ 1 x 10-5 M⊙