We investigate sulphur abundance in 74 Galactic stars by using high
resolution spectra obtained at ESO VLT and NTT telescopes. For the first time
the abundances are derived, where possible, from three optical multiplets:
Mult. 1, 6, and 8. By combining our own measurements with data in the
literature we assemble a sample of 253 stars in the metallicity range -3.2 <
[Fe/H] < +0.5. Two important features, which could hardly be detected in
smaller samples, are obvious from this large sample: 1) a sizeable scatter in
[S/Fe] ratios around [Fe/H] ~ -1 ; 2) at low metallicities we observe stars
with [S/Fe] ~ 0.4, as well as stars with higher [S/Fe] ratios. The latter do
not seem to be kinematically different from the former ones. Whether the latter
finding stems from a distinct population of metal-poor stars or simply from an
increased scatter in sulphur abundances remains an open question.Comment: accepted by A&