Why are there emission lines for Fe II?

Forums Spectroscopy Psi Persei, emission lines in Fe II ? Why are there emission lines for Fe II?

#579166
John Coffin
Participant

Why are there emission lines for Fe but not C, N, and O which must be present in the star before iron can be formed? If the iron is dredged up from the star’s core wouldn’t C, N and O be dredged up too? The ionisation potential for Fe is similar to the other metals. Surely it can’t be just centrifugal force that brings the Fe to the surface and into the circum-stellar disc in preference to the lighter elements?