CuriosityAGB envelope

If ²³Na(p,α)²⁰Ne were twice as fast, this model of an AGB star's hot envelope would end up with about half as much sodium (−46%).

This reaction closes the NeNa cycle; its rival, (p,γ), lets sodium leak towards magnesium.

One-zone model at 80 MK over 10 years. Real stars adjust. Doubling is a what-if, not the rate's actual uncertainty. How well this rate is known: uncertain.

Try it How we know this rate

Rate:: ²³Na(p,α)²⁰Ne — Iliadis, C. (2010), NPA 841, 1; 31; 251; 323; REACLIB il10
Uncertain:: The rate is uncertain enough to change the models that depend on it.
Model:: one-zone model; JINA REACLIB reaclib_default2_20250330, pynucastro 3.1.0; 2026-10-13

If 23Na(p,α)20Ne were twice as fast, this model of an AGB star's hot envelope would end up with about half as much sodium (−46%).

If ²³Na(p,α)²⁰Ne were twice as fast, this model of an AGB star's hot envelope would end up with about half as much sodium (−46%).