Error analysis for resonant thermonuclear reaction rates

A detailed presentation is given of estimating uncertainties in thermonucle ar reaction rates for stellar nucleosynthesis involving narrow resonances, starting from random errors in measured or calculated resonance and nuclear level properties. Special attention is given to statistical matters such a s probability distributions, error propagation, and correlations between er rors. Interpretation of resulting uncertainties in reaction rates and the d istinction between symmetric and asymmetric errors are also discussed. Comp uting reaction rate uncertainties is described. We give examples from explo sive nucleosynthesis by hydrogen burning on light nuclei. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V.