CNO in evolved intermediate mass stars

Abstract

In order to investigate the possible influence of rotation on the efficiency of the first dredge-up we determined atmospheric parameters, masses, and abundances of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen in a sample of evolved intermediate mass stars. We used high resolution spectra and conducted a model atmosphere analysis. The abundances were calculated through spectral synthesis and compared to the predictions of rotating and non-rotating evolutionary models. Almost all those objects in our sample where carbon and nitrogen abundances could be determined show signs of internal mixing. The stars, however, seem to be mixed to different extents. Among the mixed stars we identify five in our sample with abundances in agreement with the non-rotating models, four stars that seem to be mixed beyond that, and one star that seems to be slightly less mixed than predicted for the first dredge-up. There are also five stars that seem to be slightly more mixed than expected, but their abundances are in marginal agreement with both rotating and non-rotating models. Such differences in the extent of the mixing are not predicted by the standard models and imply the action of other mixing mechanisms than solely the convective dredge-up. We also identified for the first time an important correlation between the [N/C] ratio and the stellar mass.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A. Final version with language correction