%0 Journal Article
%T alpha :a constant that is not a constant?
%A G. Fiorentini
%A B. Ricci
%J Physics
%D 2002
%I arXiv
%R 10.1007/10857580_14
%X We review the observational information on the constancy of the fine structure constant alpha. We find that small improvements on the measurement of ^{187}Re lifetime can provide significant progress in exploring the range of variability suggested by QSO data. We also discuss the effects of a time varying alpha on stellar structure and evolution. We find that radioactive dating of ancient stars can offer a new observational window.
%U http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0207390v1