No Arabic abstract
We present the elemental abundances of HE1327-2326, the most iron-deficient star known, determined from a comprehensive analysis of spectra obtained with the Subaru Telescope High Dispersion Spectrograph.
We present a detailed abundance analysis of the bright (V = 9.02), metal-poor ([Fe/H] = -1.47 +/- 0.08) field red horizontal-branch star HD 222925, which was observed as part of an ongoing survey by the R-Process Alliance. We calculate stellar parameters and derive abundances for 46 elements based on 901 lines examined in a high-resolution optical spectrum obtained using the Magellan Inamori Kyocera Echelle spectrograph. We detect 28 elements with 38 <= Z <= 90; their abundance pattern is a close match to the Solar r-process component. The distinguishing characteristic of HD 222925 is an extreme enhancement of r-process elements ([Eu/Fe] = +1.33 +/- 0.08, [Ba/Eu] = -0.78 +/- 0.10) in a moderately metal-poor star, so the abundance of r-process elements is the highest ([Eu/H] = -0.14 +/- 0.09) in any known r-process-enhanced star. The abundance ratios among lighter (Z <= 30) elements are typical for metal-poor stars, indicating that production of these elements was dominated by normal Type II supernovae, with no discernible contributions from Type Ia supernovae or asymptotic giant branch stars. The chemical and kinematic properties of HD 222925 suggest it formed in a low-mass dwarf galaxy, which was enriched by a high-yield r-process event before being disrupted by interaction with the Milky Way.
We describe the discovery of HE 1327-2326, a dwarf or subgiant with [Fe/H]}=-5.4. The star was found in a sample of bright metal-poor stars selected from the Hamburg/ESO survey. Its abundance pattern is characterized by very high C and N abundances. The detection of Sr which is overabundant by a factor of 10 as compared to iron and the Sun, suggests that neutron-capture elements had already been produced in the very early Galaxy. A puzzling Li depletion is observed in this unevolved star which contradicts the value of the primordial Li derived from WMAP and other Li studies. Possible scenarios for the origin of the abundance pattern (Pop. II or Pop. III) are presented as well as an outlook on future observations.
We present a chemical abundance analysis of the faint halo metal-poor main-sequence star J0023+0307, with [Fe/H]<-6.3, based on a high-resolution (R~35,000) Magellan/MIKE spectrum. The star was originally found to have [Fe/H]< -6.6 based on a Ca II K measurement in an R~2,500 spectrum. No iron lines could be detected in our MIKE spectrum. Spectral lines of Li, C, Na, Mg, Al, Si, and Ca were detected. The Li abundance is close to the Spite Plateau, A(Li) = 1.7, not unlike that of other metal-poor stars although in stark contrast to the extremely low value found e.g., in HE~1327-2326 at a similar [Fe/H] value. The carbon G-band is detected and indicates strong C-enhancement, as is typical for stars with low Fe abundances. Elements from Na through Si show a strong odd-even effect, and J0023+0307 displays the second-lowest known [Ca/H] abundance. Overall, the abundance pattern of J0023+0307 suggests that it is a second-generation star that formed from gas enriched by a massive Population III first star exploding as a fall-back supernova The inferred dilution mass of the ejecta is 10^(5+-0.5) Msun of hydrogen, strongly suggesting J0023+0307 formed in a recollapsed minihalo. J0023+0307 is likely very old because it has a very eccentric orbit with a pericenter in the Galactic bulge.
We present long-slit observations in the optical and near infrared of fourteen HII regions in the spiral galaxies: NGC 628, NGC 925, NGC 1232 and NGC 1637, all of them reported to have solar or oversolar abundances according to empirical calibrations. For seven of the observed regions, ion-weighted temperatures from optical forbidden auroral to nebular line ratios have been obtained and for six of them, the oxygen abundances derived by standard methods turn out to be significantly lower than solar. The other one, named CDT1 in NGC 1232, shows an oxygen abundance of 12+log(O/H) = 8.95+-0.20 and constitutes, to the best of our knowledge, the first high metallicity HII region for which accurate line temperatures, and hence elemental abundances, have been derived. For the rest of the regions no line temperature measurements could be made and the metallicity has been determined by means of both detailed photoionisation modelling and the sulphur abundance parameter S_23. Only one of these regions shows values of O_23 and S_23 implying a solar or oversolar metallicity. According to our analysis, only two of the observed regions can therefore be considered as of high metallicity. The two of them fit the trends previously found in other high metallicity HII regions, i.e. N/O and S/O abundance ratios seem to be higher and lower than solar respectively.
High-resolution spectra obtained with three ground-based facilities and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) have been combined to produce a new abundance analysis of CS 22892-052, an extremely metal-poor giant with large relative enhancements of neutron-capture elements. A revised model stellar atmosphere has been derived with the aid of a large number of Fe-peak transitions, including both neutral and ionized species of six elements.Several elements, including Mo, Lu, Au, Pt and Pb, have been detected for the first time in CS 22892-052, and significant upper limits have been placed on the abundances of Ga, Ge, Cd, Sn, and U in this star. In total, abundance measurements or upper limits have been determined for 57 elements, far more than previously possible. New Be and Li detections in CS 22892-052 indicate that the abundances of both these elements are significantly depleted compared to unevolved main-sequence turnoff stars of similar metallicity. Abundance comparisons show an excellent agreement between the heaviest n-capture elements (Z >= 56) and scaled solar system r-process abundances, confirming earlier results for CS 22892-052 and other metal-poor stars. New theoretical r-process calculations also show good agreement with CS 22892-052 abundances as well as the solar r-process abundance components.The abundances of lighter elements (40<= Z <= 50), however, deviate from the same scaled abundance curves that match the heavier elements, suggesting different synthesis conditions or sites for the low-mass and high-mass ends of the abundance distribution. The detection of Th and the upper limit on the U abundance together imply a lower limit of 10.4 Gyr on the age of CS 22892-052, quite consistent with the Th/Eu age estimate of 12.8 +/- ~= 3 Gyr. An average of several chronometric ratios yields an age 14.2 +/- ~= 3 Gyr.