Looking for imprints of the first stellar generations in metal-poor bulge field stars

© 2016 ESO. Context. Efforts to look for signatures of the first stars have concentrated on metal-poor halo objects. However, the low end of the bulge metallicity distribution has been shown to host some of the oldest objects in the Milky Way and hence this Galactic component potentially offers interesting targets to look at imprints of the first stellar generations. As a pilot project, we selected bulge field stars already identified in the ARGOS survey as having [Fe/H] 1 and oversolar [α/Fe] ratios, and we used FLAMES-UVES to obtain detailed abundances of key elements that are believed to reveal imprints of the first stellar generations. Aims. The main purpose of this study is to analyse selected ARGOS stars using new high-resolution (R ∼ 45 000) and high-signal-tonoise (S=N > 100) spectra. We aim to derive their stellar parameters and elemental ratios, in particular the abundances of C, N, the α-elements O, Mg, Si, Ca, and Ti, the odd-Z elements Na and Al, the neutron-capture s-process dominated elements Y, Zr, La, and Ba, and the r-element Eu. Methods. High-resolution spectra of five field giant stars were obtained at the 8 m VLT UT2-Kueyen telescope with the UVES spectrograph in FLAMES-UVES configuration. Spectroscopic parameters were derived based on the excitation and ionization equilibrium of Fe i and Fe ii. The abundance analysis was performed with a MARCS LTE spherical model atmosphere grid and the Turbospectrum spectrum synthesis code. Results.We confirm that the analysed stars are moderately metal-poor (-1:04≤[Fe/H]≤-0:43), non-carbon-enhanced (non-CEMP) with [C/Fe] ≤+0:2, and α-enhanced.We find that our three most metal-poor stars are nitrogen enhanced. The α-enhancement suggests that these stars were formed from a gas enriched by core-collapse supernovae, and that the values are in agreement with results in the literature for bulge stars in the same metallicity range. No abundance anomalies (Na-O, Al-O, Al-Mg anti-correlations) were detected in our sample. The heavy elements Y, Zr, Ba, La, and Eu also exhibit oversolar abundances. Three out of the five stars analysed here show slightly enhanced [Y/Ba] ratios similar to those found in other metal-poor bulge globular clusters (NGC 6522 and M 62). Conclusions. This sample shows enhancement in the first-to-second peak abundance ratios of heavy elements, as well as dominantly s-process element excesses. This can be explained by different nucleosynthesis scenarios: (a) the main r-process plus extra mechanisms, such as the weak r-process; (b) mass transfer from asymptotic giant branch stars in binary systems; (c) an early generation of fast-rotating massive stars. Larger samples of moderately metal-poor bulge stars, with detailed chemical abundances, are needed to better constrain the source of dominantly s-process elements in the early Universe

UVES analysis of red giants in the bulge globular cluster NGC 6522

Context. NGC 6522 is a moderately metal-poor bulge globular cluster ([Fe/H] ~ −1.0), and it is a well-studied representative among a number of moderately metal-poor blue horizontal branch clusters located in the bulge. The NGC 6522 abundance pattern can give hints on the earliest chemical enrichment in the central Galaxy. Aims. The aim of this study is to derive abundances of the light elements C and N; alpha elements O, Mg, Si, Ca, and Ti; odd-Z elements Na and Al; neutron-capture elements Y, Zr, Ba, La, and Nd; and the r-process element Eu. We verify if there are first- and second-generation stars: we find clear evidence of Na–Al, Na–N, and Mg–Al correlations, while we cannot identify the Na–O anti-correlation from our data. Methods. High-resolution spectra of six red giants in the bulge globular cluster NGC 6522 were obtained at the 8m VLT UT2-Kueyen telescope with both the UVES and GIRAFFE spectrographs in FLAMES+UVES configuration. In light of Gaia data, it turned out that two of them are non-members, but these were also analysed. Spectroscopic parameters were derived through the excitation and ionisation equilibrium of Fe I and Fe II lines from UVES spectra. The abundances were obtained with spectrum synthesis. Comparisons of abundances derived from UVES and GIRAFFE spectra were carried out. Results. The present analysis combined with previous UVES results gives a mean radial velocity of vrhel = −15.62±7.7 km s−1 and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = −1.05 ± 0.20 for NGC 6522. Mean abundances of alpha elements for the present four member stars are enhanced with [O/Fe] = +0.38, [Mg/Fe] = ≈+0.28, [Si/Fe] ≈ +0.19, and [Ca/Fe] ≈ +0.13, together with the iron-peak element [Ti/Fe] ≈ +0.13, and the r-process element [Eu/Fe] = +0.40. The neutron-capture elements Y, Zr, Ba, and La show enhancements in the +0.08 < [Y/Fe] < +0.90, 0.11 < [Zr/Fe] < +0.50, 0.00 < [Ba/Fe] < +0.63, 0.00 < [La/Fe] < +0.45, and −0.10 < [Nd/Fe] < +0.70 ranges. We also discuss the spread in heavy-element abundances

Heavy elements enrichment in the bulge globular cluster NGC 6522: traces from the first stellar generation

Há uma concentração de aglomerados globulares moderadamente pobres em metais no bojo galáctico, e muitos deles mostram um Ramo Horizontal Azul (BHB). Essas características juntas apontam para uma idade antiga. Para entender melhor a origem desses aglomerados, o estudo de seu padrão de abundâncias pode ajudar a identificar o tipo das primeiras supernovas nas partes centrais da Galáxia. O NGC 6522 na janela do Baade é um representante desta classe de aglomerados. Análises de abundância de estrelas individuais nesses aglomerados confirmaram sua metalicidade de [Fe/H] -1.0, enriquecimento em elementos-$\\alpha$ e detectaram uma variação nas abundâncias dos elementos pesados de processo-s. Entre os maiores enriquecimentos em Y e Ba, a explicação usual da transferência de massa de uma companheira do ramo assintótico das gigantes pode não se aplicar, e um enriquecimento por estrelas massivas de alta rotação foi sugerido. A fim de estudar melhor as abundâncias em NGC 6522, obtivemos um programa com o FLAMES em 2012, a partir da qual, com os dados de UVES, mostramos que o enriquecimento em elementos-s ainda poderia ser acomodado com o modelo de transferência de massa de uma estrela companheira. Além disso, obtivemos novos dados com o FLAMES em 2016. No presente trabalho analisamos outras 6 estrelas observadas em alta resolução com UVES, e 32 estrelas em resolução média-alta observadas com GIRAFFE, onde foram selecionadas por suas velocidades radiais em torno de -14,3 km/s com uma abrangência de ±15 km/s. Os parâmetros atmosféricos e as abundâncias dos elementos leves C, N, O, elementos de Z ímpar Na e Al, elementos-$alpha$ Mg, Si, Ca, Ti, elementos de pico de ferro Mn, Cu, Zn, elementos de processo-s Y, Zr, Ba, La, Ce, Nd e o elemento de processo-r Eu são derivados para a amostra UVES e preliminarmente para a amostra GIRAFFE. Entre as estrelas UVES, duas delas mostram um enriquecimento significativo nos elementos do processo-s e uma com alto valor nas razões [Y/Ba] e [Zr/Ba], sugerindo um enriquecimento por estrelas massivas de alta rotação.There is a concentration of moderately metal-poor globular clusters in the Galactic bulge, and many of them show a Blue Horizontal Branch (BHB). These characteristics together point to an old age. In order to better understand the origin of these clusters, the study of their abundance pattern can help identifying the kind of the earliest supernovae in the central parts of the Galaxy. NGC 6522 in Baades Window is a representative of this class of clusters. Abundance analyses of individual stars in this clusters have confirmed its metallicity of [Fe/H]-1.0, enhanced -elements, and detected a variation in the abundances of the s-process heavy elements. Among the highest enhancements of Y and Ba, the usual explanation of mass transfer from a companion in the Asymptotic Giant Branch might not apply, and an enrichment by early fast-rotating massive stars was suggested. In order to further study the abundances in NGC 6522 we obtained a run with FLAMES- UVES in 2012, from which with the UVES data we have shown that the enhancement in s-elements could still be accommodated with the companion transfer model. We further obtained new data with FLAMES-UVES in 2016. In the present work we analyze another 6 stars observed at high resolution with UVES, and 32 stars at medium-high resolution observed with GIRAFFE. The latter were selected from their radial velocities of -14.3±15 km/s. The abundances of the light elements C, N, O, odd-Z elements Na, Al, -elements Mg, Si, Ca, Ti, iron-peak elements Mn, Cu, Zn, s-process elements Y, Zr, Ba, La, Ce, Nd and r-process element Eu are derived. Among the UVES stars, two of them show a significant enrichment in s-process elements and one of them show high [Y/Ba] and [Zr/Ba] ratios, suggesting that an early enrichment by fast rotating massive stars is a probable scenario

Re-análise de gigantes vermelhas no aglomerado globular NGC 6522

O aglomerado globular do bojo NGC 6522 é moderadamente pobre em metais ([Fe/H]=-1.0). A análise de 8 estrelas desse aglomerado por Barbuy et al. (2009, A&A, 507, 405) revelou excesso de Bário em algumas dessas estrelas. Em Chiappini et al. (2011, NATURE, 472, 454) a abundância de Ítrio também foi confirmada como excessiva, e esses resultados foram interpretados como sendo devidos à nucleossíntese nas primeiras estrelas massivas com alta rotação, nos primórdios das partes centrais de nossa Galáxia. Obtivemos novos dados com mais alta resolução para 6 dessas mesmas estrelas, com o espectrógrafo UVES, e de uma centena de estrelas, em resolução R=22,000 com o espectrógrafo GIRAFFE. O objetivo deste projeto é analisar os espectros UVES, com o objetivo de confirmar a sobreabundância dos elementos pesados, nas estrelas já analisadas em Barbuy et al. (2009), agora com os espectros UVES, que é crítica para a interpretação dada em Chiappini et al. (2011). Isto inclui re-derivar seus parâmetros atmosféricos, e derivar as abundâncias dos elementos s, de captura lenta de nêutrons: Ba, Y, Zr; elementos leves: C, N, O, Na; e elementos do pico do Ferro: Mn, Cu, Zn. Os resultados levarão a conclusões sobre o enriquecimento químico inicial da Galáxia, em particular sobre o tipo de supernovas responsáveis por este, e correspondente nucleossíntese ocorrida

High-resolution abundance analysis of red giants in the globular cluster NGC 6522

Context. The [Sr/Ba] and [Y/Ba] scatter observed in some galactic halo stars that are very metal-poor and in a few individual stars of the oldest known Milky Way globular cluster NGC 6522 have been interpreted as evidence of early enrichment by massive fastrotating stars (spinstars). Because NGC 6522 is a bulge globular cluster, the suggestion was that not only the very-metal poor halo stars, but also bulge stars at [Fe/H] ∼−1 could be used as probes of the stellar nucleosynthesis signatures from the earlier generations of massive stars, but at much higher metallicity. For the bulge the suggestions were based on early spectra available for stars in NGC 6522, with a medium resolution of R ∼ 22 000 and a moderate signal-to-noise ratio. Aims. The main purpose of this study is to re-analyse the NGC 6522 stars reported previously by using new high-resolution (R ∼ 45 000) and high signal-to-noise spectra (S /N > 100).We aim at re-deriving their stellar parameters and elemental ratios, in particular the abundances of the neutron-capture s-process-dominated elements such as Sr, Y, Zr, La, and Ba, and of the r-element Eu. Methods. High-resolution spectra of four giants belonging to the bulge globular cluster NGC 6522 were obtained at the 8m VLT UT2-Kueyen telescope with the UVES spectrograph in FLAMES-UVES configuration. The spectroscopic parameters were derived based on the excitation and ionization equilibrium of Fe i and Fe ii. Results. Our analysis confirms a metallicity [Fe/H] = −0.95 ± 0.15 for NGC 6522 and the overabundance of the studied stars in Eu (with +0.2 < [Eu/Fe] < +0.4) and alpha-elements O and Mg. The neutron-capture s-element-dominated Sr, Y, Zr, Ba, and La now show less pronounced variations from star to star. Enhancements are in the range 0.0 < [Sr/Fe] < +0.4, +0.23 < [Y/Fe] < +0.43, 0.0 < [Zr/Fe] < +0.4, 0.0 < [La/Fe] < +0.35, and 0.05 < [Ba/Fe] < +0.55. Conclusions. The very high overabundances of [Y/Fe] previously reported for the four studied stars is not confirmed with the new high-quality spectra. The moderate enhancement in [Sr/Fe] previously reported for one of the re-studied stars is confirmed, but the strong enhancements of this ratio for the other two stars are not confirmed. Despite the moderate enhancements found for the neutroncapture s-element-dominated species, none of the four stars studied here show positive values for all [Sr/Ba], [Y/Ba] and [Zr/Ba] ratios. The re-studied stars are now compatible not only with the interpretation that the s-process enhancements in these very old stars are due to spinstars, but also with alternative models such as mass transfer from s-process-rich AGB stars. Note, however, that when our results are interpreted in the context of more extended datasets from the literature, the spinstar scenario still seems to be favoured

High-resolution abundance analysis of red giants in the metal-poor bulge globular cluster HP 1

Context. The globular cluster HP 1 is projected at only 3 :33 from the Galactic center. Together with its distance, this makes it one of the most central globular clusters in the Milky Way. It has a blue horizontal branch (BHB) and a metallicity of [Fe/H] 1:0. This means that it probably is one of the oldest objects in the Galaxy. Abundance ratios can reveal the nucleosynthesis pattern of the first stars as well as the early chemical enrichment and early formation of stellar populations. Aims. High-resolution spectra obtained for six stars were analyzed to derive the abundances of the light elements C, N, O, Na, and Al, the alpha-elements Mg, Si, Ca, and Ti, and the heavy elements Sr, Y, Zr, Ba, La, and Eu. Methods. High-resolution spectra of six red giants that are confirmed members of the bulge globular cluster HP 1 were obtained with the 8 m VLT UT2-Kueyen telescope with the UVES spectrograph in FLAMES-UVES configuration. The spectroscopic parameter derivation was based on the excitation and ionization equilibrium of Fe i and Fe ii. Results. We confirm a mean metallicity of [Fe/H] = 1:06 0:10, by adding the two stars that were previously analyzed in HP 1. The alpha-elements O and Mg are enhanced by about +0:3 < [O,Mg/Fe] < +0:5 dex, Si is moderately enhanced with +0:15 < [Si/Fe] < +0:35 dex, while Ca and Ti show lower values of 0:04 < [Ca,Ti/Fe]< +0:28 dex. The r-element Eu is also enhanced with [Eu/Fe] +0:4, which together with O and Mg is indicative of early enrichment by type II supernovae. Na and Al are low, but it is unclear if Na- O are anticorrelated. The heavy elements are moderately enhanced, with 0:20 < [La/Fe] < +0:43 dex and 0:0 < [Ba/Fe] < +0:75 dex, which is compatible with r-process formation. The spread in Y, Zr, Ba, and La abundances, on the other hand, appears to be compatible with the spinstar scenario or other additional mechanisms such as the weak r-process