C, N, O abundances and carbon isotope ratios in evolved stars of the open clusters Collinder 261 and NGC 6253

Context. Investigations of abundances of carbon and nitrogen in the atmospheres of evolved stars of open clusters may provide comprehensive information on chemical composition changes caused by stellar evolution. Aims. Our main aim is to increase the number of open clusters with determined carbon-to nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios. Methods. High-resolution spectra were analysed using a differential model atmosphere method. Abundances of carbon were derived using the C_2 Swan (0,1) band head at 5635.5 {\AA} (FEROS spectra) and the C_2 Swan (1,0) band head at 4737 {\AA} (UVES spectra). The wavelength interval 7980-8130 {\AA}, with strong CN features was analysed to determine nitrogen abundances and 12^C/13^C isotope ratios. The oxygen abundances were determined from the [Oi] line at 6300 {\AA}. Results. The average value of 12^C/13^C isotope ratios of Cr 261 is equal to 18 \pm 2 in four giants and to 12 \pm 1 in two clump stars; it is equal to 16 \pm 1 in four clump stars of the open cluster NGC 6253. The mean C/N ratios in Cr 261 and NGC 6253 are equal to 1.67 \pm 0.06 and 1.37 \pm 0.09, respectively. Conclusions. The 12^C/13^C and C/N values in Cr 261 and NGC 6253 within limits of uncertainties agree with the theoretical model of thermohaline-induced mixing as well as with the cool-bottom processing modelComment: 7 pages, 8 figure

The extent of mixing in stellar interiors: the open clusters Collinder 261 and Melotte 66

Context: Determining carbon and nitrogen abundances in red giants provides useful diagnostics to test mixing processes in stellar atmospheres. Aims: Our main aim is to determine carbon-to-nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios for evolved giants in the open clusters Collinder 261 and Melotte 66 and to compare the results with predictions of theoretical models. Methods: High-resolution spectra were analysed using a differential model atmosphere method. Abundances of carbon were derived using the C_2 Swan (0,1) band head at 5635.5 A. The wavelength interval 7940-8130 A, which contains CN features, was analysed to determine nitrogen abundances and carbon isotope ratios. The oxygen abundances were determined from the [O_I] line at 6300 A. Results: The mean values of the elemental abundances in Collinder 261, as determined from seven stars, are: [C/Fe]=-0.23 +- 0.02 (s.d.), [N/Fe]=0.18 +- 0.09, [O/Fe]=-0.03 +- 0.07. The mean 12^C/13^C ratio is 11 +- 2, considering four red clump stars and 18 for one star above the clump. The mean C/N ratios are 1.60 +- 0.30 and 1.74, respectively. For the five stars in Melotte 66 we obtained: [C/Fe]=-0.21 +- 0.07 (s.d.), [N/Fe]=0.17 +- 0.07, [O/Fe]=0.16 +- 0.04. The 12^C/13^C and C/N ratios are 8 +- 2 and 1.67 +- 0.21, respectively. Conclusions: The 12^C/13^C and C/N ratios of stars in the investigated open clusters were compared with the ratios predicted by stellar evolution models. The mean values of 12^C/13^C ratios in Collinder 261 and Melotte 66 agree well with models of thermohaline-induced extra-mixing for the corresponding stellar turn-off masses of about 1.1 - 1.2 Msun. The mean C/N ratios are not decreased as much as predicted by the model in which the thermohaline- and rotation-induced extra-mixing act together.Comment: 6 pages, 8 figure

Chemical composition of evolved stars in the open cluster NGC 2506

In this study we present abundances of 12^C, 13^C, N, O and up to 26 other chemical elements in two first ascent giants and two core-helium-burning 'clump' stars of the open cluster NGC 2506. Abundances of carbon were derived using the C_2 Swan (0,1) band head at 5635.5 A. The wavelength interval 7940-8130 A, with strong CN features, was analysed in order to determine nitrogen abundances and carbon isotope ratios. The oxygen abundances were determined from the [O I] line at 6300 A. NGC 2506 was found to have a mean [Fe/H]=-0.24 +- 0.05 (standard deviation). Compared with the Sun and other dwarf stars of the Galactic disc, mean abundances in the investigated clump stars suggest that carbon is depleted by about 0.2 dex, nitrogen is overabundant by about 0.3 dex and other chemical elements have abundance ratios close to solar. The C/N and 12^C/13^C ratios are lowered to 1.25 +- 0.27 and 11 +- 3, respectively.Comment: MNRAS accepte

Evoliuciniai cheminės sudėties efektai padrikųjų spiečių raudonosiose milžinėse

Open clusters are important tools for studying of the Galactic disk and for understanding stellar evolution. Stars of clusters have constant age, composition and distance. This makes them to be excellent laboratories for investigations of stellar and Galactic chemical evolution. The main aim of the study is the analysis of mixing tracers and extra mixing evidences in photospheres of evolved stars. Extra-mixing processes may modify the surface abundances of 12^C/13^C and 12^C/14^N ratios. This study aims to test theoretical models. The secondary goal is a contribution to the study of present properties of the Galactic disc. The 12^C/13^C ratios in helium-core-burning clump stars for the clusters with turn-off masses lower than 2 solar masses are in agreement with the Cool-bottom processing (CBP) model and the Thermohaline mixing (TH) model. The observed 12^C/13^C ratios of the helium-core-burning stars in the open cluster NGC 6134 support evidences of larger then theoretically predicted extra-mixing in stars heavier than 2.5 solar masses. In two open clusters the 12^C/13^C ratios in core-helium-burning stars are lower than in the first ascent giants, located above the RGB luminosity bump. This could be caused by the material mixing during a very violent helium flash event. Almost all element to iron ratios show essentially flat radial abundance distributions across Galactic disk. The radial distributions of [O/Fe] and [Mg/Fe] have a tendency to increase towards larger Galactocentric distances

Evolutionary Effects of Chemical Composition in Red Giants of Open Clusters

Open clusters are important tools for studying of the Galactic disk and for understanding stellar evolution. Stars of clusters have constant age, composition and distance. This makes them to be excellent laboratories for investigations of stellar and Galactic chemical evolution. The main aim of the study is the analysis of mixing tracers and extra mixing evidences in photospheres of evolved stars. Extra-mixing processes may modify the surface abundances of 12^C/13^C and 12^C/14^N ratios. This study aims to test theoretical models. The secondary goal is a contribution to the study of present properties of the Galactic disc. The 12^C/13^C ratios in helium-core-burning clump stars for the clusters with turn-off masses lower than 2 solar masses are in agreement with the Cool-bottom processing (CBP) model and the Thermohaline mixing (TH) model. The observed 12^C/13^C ratios of the helium-core-burning stars in the open cluster NGC 6134 support evidences of larger then theoretically predicted extra-mixing in stars heavier than 2.5 solar masses. In two open clusters the 12^C/13^C ratios in core-helium-burning stars are lower than in the first ascent giants, located above the RGB luminosity bump. This could be caused by the material mixing during a very violent helium flash event. Almost all element to iron ratios show essentially flat radial abundance distributions across Galactic disk. The radial distributions of [O/Fe] and [Mg/Fe] have a tendency to increase towards larger Galactocentric distances