Making carbon in stars

The triple alpha (3 alpha) process plays an important role in the production of C-12 in stars. Its rate is known with an accuracy of about 12%. We examine the corresponding uncertainties introduced in the description of pre-supernova stars, of nucleosynthesis in a core-collapse SN explosion, and of the production of C-12 during the third dredge-up in asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. For the AGB case we consider also the effects of uncertainties in the N-14(p, gamma)O-15 rate. We conclude that the present accuracy of the 3 alpha rate is inadequate and describe new experiments that will lead to a more accurate value.