The impact of the $^{26}$Al$^{m}$(p,$\gamma )^{27}$Si reaction rate on the destruction of $^{26}$Al in ONe novae

Evidence of ongoing nucleosynthesis of $^{26}$Al ($\tau _{1/2}$ = 7.2 x 10$^{5}$ yr) in our galaxy has been observed in the form of the 1.809 MeV $\gamma $-ray resulting from $^{25}$Mg(p,$\gamma )^{26}$Al$^{g.s.}(\beta ^{+ }\nu _{e})^{26}$Mg$^{\ast }$ [1]. The $^{25}$Mg(p,$\gamma )$ reaction can also produce $^{26}$Al$^{m}$, the short lived ($\tau _{1/2 }$= 6.3 s), 0$^{+}$, isomeric state of $^{26}$Al, which $\beta ^{+}$-decays to $^{26}$Mg$^{g.s.}$ only and must be treated separately from $^{26}$Al$^{ g.s.}$ at peak temperatures typical in novae (T$_{9 }\approx $ .1 - .35)[2]. Since $^{26}$Al(p,$\gamma )^{ 27}$Si competes with the $\beta ^{+}$-decay of $^{26}$Al in novae, resonances in $^{26}$Al$^{g.s./m}$(p,$\gamma )^{ 27}$Si may have a significant impact on $^{26}$Al production. We have used the $^{28}$Si(p,d)$^{ 27}$Si, $^{28}$Si($^{3}$He,$\alpha )^{ 27}$Si$^{\ast }$(p)$^{ 26}$Al, and $^{27}$Al($^{3}$He,t)$^{ 27}$Si$^{\ast }$(p)$^{ 26}$Al reactions to study the $^{26}$Al(p,$\gamma )^{ 27}$Si reaction. Several previously unpublished levels in $^{27}$Si and proton decay branching ratios will be reported. Their impact on the $^{26}$Al(p,$\gamma )^{ 27}$Si reaction rate and the nucleosynthesis of $^{26}$Al in ONe novae will be discussed. \newline [1] Diehl, R. \textit{et al.}, A{\&}A, \textbf{449} (2006) 1025. \newline [2] Ward, R.A. and Fowler, W.A., ApJ, \textbf{238} (1980) 266.