Laboratory transition probabilities for studies of nucleosynthesis of Fe-group elements1.

The synthesis of iron (Fe-) group elements was different in the early Galaxy than it is today. Measurements of the relative Fe-group elemental abundances in old metal-poor stars yield information on the Galactic chemical evolution and some information on early supernovae (SNe). Improved laboratory data on transition probabilities is essential to this effort. It is also essential to understand and map the limits of standard photospheric models based on one-dimensional and local thermodynamic equilibrium approximations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]