Could the Ultra Metal-poor Stars be Chemically Peculiar and Not Related to the First Stars?

Chemically peculiar stars define a class of stars that show unusual elemental abundances due to stellar photospheric effects and not due to natal variations. In this paper, we compare the elemental abundance patterns of the ultra metal-poor stars with metallicities [Fe/H] $\sim -5$ to those of a subclass of chemically peculiar stars. These include post-AGB stars, RV Tauri variable stars, and the Lambda Bootis stars, which range in mass, age, binarity, and evolutionary status, yet can have iron abundance determinations as low as [Fe/H] $\sim -5$. These chemical peculiarities are interpreted as due to the separation of gas and dust beyond the stellar surface, followed by the accretion of dust depleted-gas. Contrary to this, the elemental abundances in the ultra metal-poor stars are thought to represent yields of the most metal-poor supernova and, therefore, observationally constrain the earliest stages of chemical evolution in the Universe. The abundance of the elements in the photospheres of the ultra metal-poor stars appear to be related to the condensation temperature of that element; if so, then their CNO abundances suggest true metallicities of [X/H]~ -2 to -4, rather than their present metallicities of [Fe/H] < -5.Comment: Accepted for ApJ. 17 pages, 10 figure

A study of the s-process in the carbon-rich post-AGB stars IRAS06530-0213 and IRAS08143-4406 on the basis of VLT-UVES spectra

In an effort to extend the still limited sample of s-process enriched post-AGB stars, high-resolution, high signal-to-noise VLT+UVES spectra of the optical counterparts of the infrared sources IRAS06530-0213 and IRAS08143-4406 were analysed. The objects are moderately metal deficient by [Fe/H]=-0.5 and -0.4 respectively, carbon-rich and, above all, heavily s-process enhanced with a [ls/Fe] of 1.8 and 1.5 respectively. Especially the spectrum of IRAS06530-0213 is dominated by transitions of s-process species, and therefore resembling the spectrum of IRAS05341+0852, the most s-process enriched object known so far. The two objects are chemically very similar to the 21micron objects discussed in Van Winckel & Reyniers (2000). A homogeneous comparison with the results of these objects reveals that the relation between the third dredge-up efficiency and the neutron nucleosynthesis efficiency found for the 21micron objects, is further strengthened. On the other hand, a detailed comparison with the predictions of the latest AGB models indicates that the observed spread in nucleosynthesis efficiency is certainly intrinsic, and proves that different C-13 pockets are needed for stars with comparable mass and metallicity to explain their abundances.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in A&A; Table 4 is available at ftp://ftp.ster.kuleuven.ac.be/dist/maarten/filescds/ pending upload to CD

V453 Oph: a s-process enriched, but carbon-deficient RV Tauri star of low intrinsic metallicity

This paper reports the detection of a heavy element enriched RV Tauri variable with an abundance pattern that differs significantly from a standard s-process enriched object: V453 Oph. Based on optical high-resolution spectra, we determined that this object of low intrinsic metallicity ([Fe/H] = -2.2) has a mild, but significant, enrichment ([s/Fe] ~ +0.5) of heavy elements for which the distribution points to slow neutron capture nucleosynthesis. This result is strengthened by a comparative analysis to the non-enriched RV Tauri star DS Aqr ([s/Fe] = 0.0). Although V453 Oph is the first RV Tauri star showing a strong s-process signature, it is NOT accompanied by C enhancement, challenging our current nucleosynthetic models of post-AGB stars that predict a simultaneous enrichment in C and s-process elements. The low N abundance excludes CN cycling as being responsible for the low C abundance. We explore three different scenarios to explain the heavy element distribution in this evolved object: an enrichment of the parental cloud, an accretion scenario in which the chemical patterns were acquired by mass transfer in a binary system and an intrinsic enrichment by dredge-up.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&

Departure from Axisymmetry in Planetary Nebulae

Many planetary nebulae (PNe) exhibit distinctly non-axisymmetric structure in either (i) the shape of the nebula, or (ii) in the off-centered position of the illuminating star. By examining a large number of well resolved images of PNe we estimate that about 30-50 percents of all PNe exhibit distinctly non-axisymmetric structure. In this paper, we discuss how such departures from axisymmetry can arise from the binary nature of the progenitors of the PNe. The scenarios include (a) relatively close binaries with eccentric orbits, and (b) longer orbital period systems with either circular or eccentric orbits. In order to assess the fraction of PNe whose non-axisymmetric morphologies are expected to arise in binary systems, we have carried out a detailed population synthesis study. The expected deviations from axisymmetry are classified for each binary and the results tabulated. We find that about 25 percents of elliptical and 30-50 percents of bipolar PNe are expected to acquire non-axisymmetric structure from binary interactions.Comment: 15 pages + 4 tables; Submitted to Ap

First detection of photospheric depletion in the LMC

Recent photospheric abundance studies of galactic field RV Tauri stars show that depletion of refractory elements is rather common in these evolved objects. The process that creates this chemical anomaly is not understood well, but it probably requires the presence of gravitationally bound dust in a binary system. We test for the presence of depletion in extra-galactic objects. A detailed photospheric abundance study on the basis of high-quality UVES spectra was performed on the RV Tauri star in the LMC: MACHO82.8405.15. Abundances were derived using a critically compiled line list with accurate log(gf) values and the latest Kurucz model atmospheres. With [Fe/H]=-2.6 in combination with [Zn/Fe]=+2.3 and [S/Ti]=+2.5, MACHO82.8405.15 displays a strong depletion abundance pattern. The effect of the depletion is comparable to the strongest depletions seen in field Galactic RV Tauri stars. The chemical analysis of MACHO82.8405.15 proves that the depletion process also occurs in the extragalactic members of the RV Tauri pulsation class. Our program star is a member of a larger sample of LMC RV Tauri objects. This sample is unique, since the distances of the members are well-constrained. Further studies of this sample are therefore expected to gain deeper insight into the poorly understood depletion phenomenon and of the evolutionary status of RV Tauri stars in general.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, accepted by A&A Letter

Resolving the compact dusty discs around binary post-AGB stars using N-band interferometry

We present the first mid-IR long baseline interferometric observations of the circumstellar matter around binary post-AGB stars. Two objects, SX Cen and HD 52961, were observed using the VLTI/MIDI instrument during Science Demonstration Time. Both objects are known binaries for which a stable circumbinary disc is proposed to explain the SED characteristics. This is corroborated by our N-band spectrum showing a crystallinity fraction of more than 50 % for both objects, pointing to a stable environment where dust processing can occur. Surprisingly, the dust surrounding SX Cen is not resolved in the interferometric observations providing an upper limit of 11 mas (or 18 AU at the distance of this object) on the diameter of the dust emission. This confirms the very compact nature of its circumstellar environment. The dust emission around HD 52961 originates from a very small but resolved region, estimated to be ~ 35 mas at 8 micron and ~ 55 mas at 13 micron. These results confirm the disc interpretation of the SED of both stars. In HD 52961, the dust is not homogeneous in its chemical composition: the crystallinity is clearly concentrated in the hotter inner region. Whether this is a result of the formation process of the disc, or due to annealing during the long storage time in the disc is not clear.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in A &

Dust-grain processing in circumbinary discs around evolved binaries. The RV Tauri spectral twins RU Cen and AC Her

Context: We study the structure and evolution of circumstellar discs around evolved binaries and their impact on the evolution of the central system. Aims: To study in detail the binary nature of RUCen and ACHer, as well as the structure and mineralogy of the circumstellar environment. Methods: We combine multi-wavelength observations with a 2D radiative transfer study. Our radial velocity program studies the central stars, while our Spitzer spectra and broad-band SEDs are used to constrain mineralogy, grain sizes and physical structure of the circumstellar environment. Results: We determine the orbital elements of RUCen showing that the orbit is highly eccentric with a rather long period of 1500 days. The infrared spectra of both objects are very similar and the spectral dust features are dominated by Mg-rich crystalline silicates. The small peak-to-continuum ratios are interpreted as being due to large grains. Our model contains two components with a cold midplain dominated by large grains, and the near- and mid-IR which is dominated by the emission of smaller silicates. The infrared excess is well modelled assuming a hydrostatic passive irradiated disc. The profile-fitting of the dust resonances shows that the grains must be very irregular. Conclusions: These two prototypical RVTauri pulsators with circumstellar dust are binaries where the dust is trapped in a stable disc. The mineralogy and grain sizes show that the dust is highly processed, both in crystallinity and grain size. The cool crystals show that either radial mixing is very efficient and/or that the thermal history at grain formation has been very different from that in outflows. The physical processes governing the structure of these discs are similar to those observed in protoplanetary discs around young stellar objects.Comment: 11 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication by A&

IRAS08281-4850 and IRAS14325-6428: two A-type post-AGB stars with s-process enrichment

One of the puzzling findings in the study of the chemical evolution of (post-)AGB stars is why very similar stars (in terms of metallicity, spectral type, infrared properties, etc...) show a very different photospheric composition. We aim at extending the still limited sample of s-process enriched post-AGB stars, in order to obtain a statistically large enough sample that allows us to formulate conclusions concerning the 3rd dredge-up occurrence. We selected two post-AGB stars on the basis of IR colours indicative of a past history of heavy mass loss: IRAS08281-4850 and IRAS14325-6428. They are cool sources in the locus of the Planetary Nebulae (PNe) in the IRAS colour-colour diagram. Abundances of both objects were derived for the first time on the basis of high-quality UVES and EMMI spectra, using a critically compiled line list with accurate log(gf) values, together with the latest Kurucz model atmospheres. Both objects have very similar spectroscopically defined effective temperatures of 7750-8000K. They are strongly carbon and s-process enriched, with a C/O ratio of 1.9 and 1.6, and an [ls/Fe] of +1.7 and +1.2, for IRAS08281 and IRAS14325 resp. Moreover, the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) point to heavy mass-loss during the preceding AGB phase. IRAS08281 and IRAS14325 are prototypical post-AGB objects in the sense that they show strong post 3rd dredge-up chemical enrichments. The neutron irradiation has been extremely efficient, despite the only mild sub-solar metallicity. This is not conform with the recent chemical models. The existence of very similar post-AGB stars without any enrichment emphasizes our poor knowledge of the details of the AGB nucleosynthesis and dredge-up phenomena. We call for a very systematic chemical study of all cool sources in the PN region of the IRAS colour-colour diagram.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, accepted by A&