1. |
- Andreoni, I., et al.
(författare)
-
Follow Up of GW170817 and Its Electromagnetic Counterpart by Australian-Led Observing Programmes
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Publications Astronomical Society of Australia. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 1323-3580 .- 1448-6083. ; 34
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The discovery of the first electromagnetic counterpart to a gravitational wave signal has generated follow-up observations by over 50 facilities world-wide, ushering in the new era of multi-messenger astronomy. In this paper, we present follow-up observations of the gravitational wave event GW170817 and its electromagnetic counterpart SSS17a/DLT17ck (IAU label AT2017gfo) by 14 Australian telescopes and partner observatories as part of Australian-based and Australian-led research programs. We report early- to late-time multi-wavelength observations, including optical imaging and spectroscopy, mid-infrared imaging, radio imaging, and searches for fast radio bursts. Our optical spectra reveal that the transient source emission cooled from approximately 6 400 K to 2 100 K over a 7-d period and produced no significant optical emission lines. The spectral profiles, cooling rate, and photometric light curves are consistent with the expected outburst and subsequent processes of a binary neutron star merger. Star formation in the host galaxy probably ceased at least a Gyr ago, although there is evidence for a galaxy merger. Binary pulsars with short (100 Myr) decay times are therefore unlikely progenitors, but pulsars like PSR B1534+12 with its 2.7 Gyr coalescence time could produce such a merger. The displacement (similar to 2.2 kpc) of the binary star system from the centre of the main galaxy is not unusual for stars in the host galaxy or stars originating in the merging galaxy, and therefore any constraints on the kick velocity imparted to the progenitor are poor.
|
|
2. |
- Cordoni, G., et al.
(författare)
-
Exploring the Galaxy's halo and very metal-weak thick disc with SkyMapper and Gaia DR2
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 503:2, s. 2539-2561
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this work, we combine spectroscopic information from the SkyMapper survey for Extremely Metal-Poor stars and astrometry from Gaia DR2 to investigate the kinematics of a sample of 475 stars with a metallicity range of -6.5 <= [Fe/H] <= -2.05 dex. Exploiting the action map, we identify 16 and 40 stars dynamically consistent with the Gaia Sausage and Gaia Sequoia accretion events, respectively. The most metal poor of these candidates have metallicities of [Fe/H] = - 3.31 and - 3.74, respectively, helping to define the low-metallicity tail of the progenitors involved in the accretion events. We also find, consistent with other studies, that similar to 21 per cent of the sample have orbits that remain confined to within 3 kpc of the Galactic plane, that is, |Z(max)| <= 3 kpc. Of particular interest is a subsample (similar to 11 per cent of the total) of low |Z(max)| stars with low eccentricities and prograde motions. The lowest metallicity of these stars has [Fe/H] = -4.30 and the subsample is best interpreted as the very low-metallicity tail of the metal-weak thick disc population. The low |Z(max)|, low eccentricity stars with retrograde orbits are likely accreted, while the low |Z(max)|, high eccentricity pro- and retrograde stars are plausibly associated with the Gaia Sausage system. We find that a small fraction of our sample (similar to 4 per cent of the total) is likely escaping from the Galaxy, and postulate that these stars have gained energy from gravitational interactions that occur when infalling dwarf galaxies are tidally disrupted.
|
|
3. |
- Howes, L. M., et al.
(författare)
-
Extremely metal-poor stars from the cosmic dawn in the bulge of the Milky Way
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 527:7579, s. 484-487
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The first stars are predicted to have formed within 200 million years after the Big Bang(1), initiating the cosmic dawn. A true first star has not yet been discovered, although stars(2-4) with tiny amounts of elements heavier than helium ('metals') have been found in the outer regions ('halo') of the Milky Way. The first stars and their immediate successors should, however, preferentially be found today in the central regions ('bulges') of galaxies, because they formed in the largest over-densities that grew gravitationally with time(5,6). The Milky Way bulge underwent a rapid chemical enrichment during the first 1-2 billion years(7), leading to a dearth of early, metal-poor stars(8,9). Here we report observations of extremely metal-poor stars in the Milky Way bulge, including one star with an iron abundance about 10,000 times lower than the solar value without noticeable carbon enhancement. We confirm that most of the metal-poor bulge stars are on tight orbits around the Galactic Centre, rather than being halo stars passing through the bulge, as expected for stars formed at redshifts greater than 15. Their chemical compositions are in general similar to typical halo stars of the same metallicity although intriguing differences exist, including lower abundances of carbon.
|
|
4. |
- Howes, Louise, et al.
(författare)
-
The Gaia-ESO Survey: the most metal-poor stars in the Galactic bulge
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1365-2966 .- 0035-8711. ; 445:4, s. 4241-4246
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present the first results of the EMBLA survey (Extremely Metal-poor BuLge stars with AAOmega), aimed at finding metal-poor stars in the Milky Way bulge, where the oldest stars should now preferentially reside. EMBLA utilizes SkyMapper photometry to pre-select metal-poor candidates, which are subsequently confirmed using AAOmega spectroscopy. We describe the discovery and analysis of four bulge giants with -2.72 <= [Fe/H] <= -2.48, the lowest metallicity bulge stars studied with high-resolution spectroscopy to date. Using FLAMES/UVES spectra through the Gaia-ESO Survey we have derived abundances of twelve elements. Given the uncertainties, we find a chemical similarity between these bulge stars and halo stars of the same metallicity, although the abundance scatter may be larger, with some of the stars showing unusual [alpha/Fe] ratios.
|
|
5. |
- Marino, A. F., et al.
(författare)
-
Keck HIRES spectroscopy of SkyMapper commissioning survey candidate extremely metal-poor stars
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 485:4, s. 5153-5167
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present results from the analysis of high-resolution spectra obtained with the Keck HIRES spectrograph for a sample of 17 candidate extremely metal-poor (EMP) stars originally selected from commissioning data obtained with the SkyMapper telescope. Fourteen of the stars have not been observed previously at high dispersion. Three have [Fe/H] <= -3.0, while the remainder, with two more metal-rich exceptions, have -3.0 <= [Fe/H] <= -2.0 dex. Apart from Fe, we also derive abundances for the elements C, N, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Sc, Ti, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, and Zn, and for n-capture elements Sr, Ba, and Eu. None of the current sample of stars is found to be carbon-rich. In general, our chemical abundances follow previous trends found in the literature, although we note that two of the most metal-poor stars show very low [Ba/Fe] (similar to-1.7) coupled with low [Sr/Ba] (similar to-0.3). Such stars are relatively rare in the Galactic halo. One further star, and possibly two others, meet the criteria for classification as a r-I star. This study, together with that of Jacobson et al. (2015), completes the outcomes of the SkyMapper commissioning data survey for EMP stars.
|
|
6. |
- Norris, J. E., et al.
(författare)
-
The most metal-poor stars. I. Discovery, data, and atmospheric parameters
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 762:1, s. 25-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We report the discovery of 34 stars in the Hamburg/ESO Survey for metal-poor stars and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey that have [Fe/H] ≲ -3.0. Their median and minimum abundances are [Fe/H] = -3.1 and -4.1, respectively, while 10 stars have [Fe/H] < -3.5. High-resolution, high signal-to-noise spectroscopic data - equivalent widths and radial velocities - are presented for these stars, together with an additional four objects previously reported or currently being investigated elsewhere. We have determined the atmospheric parameters, effective temperature (T eff), and surface gravity (log g), which are critical in the determination of the chemical abundances and the evolutionary status of these stars. Three techniques were used to derive these parameters. Spectrophotometric fits to model atmosphere fluxes were used to derive T eff, log g, and an estimate of E(B - V); Hα, Hβ, and Hγ profile fitting to model atmosphere results provided the second determination of T eff and log g; and finally, we used an empirical T eff-calibrated Hδ index, for the third, independent T eff determination. The three values of T eff are in good agreement, although the profile fitting may yield systematically cooler T eff values, by ∼100 K. This collective data set will be analyzed in future papers in the present series to utilize the most metal-poor stars as probes of conditions in the early universe.
|
|
7. |
- Schoerck, T, et al.
(författare)
-
The stellar content of the Hamburg/ESO survey V. The metallicity distribution function of the Galactic halo
- 2009
-
Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 507:2, s. 817-832
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We determine the metallicity distribution function (MDF) of the Galactic halo by means of a sample of 1638 metal-poor stars selected from the Hamburg/ESO objective-prism survey (HES). The sample was corrected for minor biases introduced by the strategy for spectroscopic follow-up observations of the metal-poor candidates, namely "best and brightest stars first". Comparison of the metallicities [Fe/H] of the stars determined from moderate-resolution (i.e., R similar to 2000) follow-up spectra with results derived from abundance analyses based on high-resolution spectra (i.e., R > 20 000) shows that the [Fe/H] estimates used for the determination of the halo MDF are accurate to within 0.3 dex, once highly C-rich stars are eliminated. We determined the selection function of the HES, which must be taken into account for a proper comparison between the HES MDF with MDFs of other stellar populations or those predicted by models of Galactic chemical evolution. The latter show a reasonable agreement with the overall shape of the HES MDF for [Fe/H] > -3.6, but only a model of Salvadori et al. (2007) with a critical metallicity for low-mass star formation of Z(cr) = 10(-3.4) Z(circle dot) reproduces the sharp drop at [Fe/H] similar to -3.6 present in the HES MDF. Although currently about ten stars at [Fe/H] < -3.6 are known, the evidence for the existence of a tail of the halo MDF extending to [Fe/H] similar to -5.5 is weak from the sample considered in this paper, because it only includes two stars [Fe/H] < -3.6. Therefore, a comparison with theoretical models has to await larger statistically complete and unbiased samples. A comparison of the MDF of Galactic globular clusters and of dSph satellites to the Galaxy shows qualitative agreement with the halo MDF, derived from the HES, once the selection function of the latter is included. However, statistical tests show that the differences between these are still highly significant.
|
|
8. |
|
|
9. |
- Christlieb, N., et al.
(författare)
-
The Hamburg/ESO R-process Enhanced Star survey (HERES). I. Project description, and discovery of two stars with strong enhancements of neutron-capture elements
- 2004
-
Ingår i: Astronomy & Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 428:3, s. 1027-1037
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We report on a dedicated effort to identify and study metal-poor stars strongly enhanced in r-process elements ([r/Fe]>1 dex; hereafter r-IIstars), the Hamburg/ESO R-process Enhanced Star survey (HERES).Moderate-resolution (∼2 Å) follow-up spectroscopy has been obtained for metal-poor giant candidates selected from the Hamburg/ESO objective-prism survey (HES) as well as the HK survey to identify sharp-lined stars with [Fe/H]<-2.5 dex. For several hundred confirmed metal-poor giants brighter than B∼ 16.5 mag (most of them from theHES), ``snapshot'' spectra (R∼ 20 000; S/N ∼ 30 per pixel) are being obtained with VLT/UVES, with the main aim of finding the 2-3% r-II stars expected to be among them. These are studied in detail by means of higher resolution and higher S/N spectra. In this paper we describe a pilot study based on a set of 35 stars, including 23 from the HK survey,eight from the HES, and four comparison stars. We discovered two new r-II stars, CS 29497-004 ([Eu/Fe]=1.64± 0.22) and CS 29491-069([Eu/Fe]=1.08± 0.23). A first abundance analysis of CS 29497-004 yields that its abundances of Ba to Dy are on average enhanced by 1.5 dex with respect to iron and the Sun and match a scaled solar r-process pattern well, while Th is underabundant relative to that pattern by 0.3dex, which we attribute to radioactive decay. That is, CS 29497-004 seems not to belong to the class of r-process enhanced stars displaying an ``actinide boost'', like CS 31082-001 (Hill et al. 2002), or CS30306-132 (Honda et al. 2004b). The abundance pattern agrees well with predictions of the phenomenological model of Qian & Wasserburg.Based in large part on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory, Paranal, Chile (proposal number 68.B-0320).}
|
|
10. |
- Da Costa, G. S., et al.
(författare)
-
The SkyMapper DR1.1 search for extremely metal-poor stars
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 489:4, s. 5900-5918
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present and discuss the results of a search for extremely metal-poor stars based on photometry from data release DR1.1 of the SkyMapper imaging survey of the southern sky. In particular, we outline our photometric selection procedures and describe the low-resolution (R approximate to 3000) spectroscopic follow-up observations that are used to provide estimates of effective temperature, surface gravity, and metallicity ([Fe/H]) for the candidates. The selection process is very efficient: of the 2618 candidates with low-resolution spectra that have photometric metallicity estimates less than or equal to -2.0, 41 per cent have [Fe/H] <= -2.75 and only approximately seven per cent have [Fe/H] > -2.0 dex. The most metal-poor candidate in the sample has [Fe/H] < -4.75 and is notably carbon rich. Except at the lowest metallicities ([Fe/H] < -4), the stars observed spectroscopically are dominated by a 'carbon-normal' population with [C/Fe](1D, LTE) <= +1 dex. Consideration of the A(C)(1D, LTE) versus [Fe/H](1D, LTE) diagram suggests that the current selection process is strongly biased against stars with A(C)(1D, LTE) > 7.3 (predominantly CEMP-s) while any bias against stars with A(C)(1D, LTE) < 7.3 and [C/Fe](1D, LTE) > +1 (predominantly CEMP-no) is not readily quantifiable given the uncertainty in the SkyMapper v-band DR1.1 photometry. We find that the metallicity distribution function of the observed sample has a power-law slope of Delta(Log N)/Delta[Fe/H] = 1.5 +/- 0.1 dex per dex for -4.0 <= [Fe/H] <= -2.75, but appears to drop abruptly at [Fe/H] approximate to -4.2, in line with previous studies.
|
|
11. |
- Nordlander, T., et al.
(författare)
-
The lowest detected stellar Fe abundance : the halo star SMSS J160540.18-144323.1
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966 .- 1745-3925 .- 1745-3933. ; 488:1, s. L109-L113
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We report the discovery of SMSS J160540.18-144323.1, a new ultra metal-poor halo star discovered with the SkyMapper telescope. We measure [Fe/H] = -6.2 +/- 0.2 (1D LTE), the lowest ever detected abundance of iron in a star. The star is strongly carbon-enhanced, [C/Fe] = 3.9 +/- 0.2, while other abundances are compatible with an alpha-enhanced solar-like pattern with [Ca/Fe] = 0.4 +/- 0.2, [Mg/Fe] = 0.6 +/- 0.2, [Ti/Fe] = 0.8 +/- 0.2, and no significant s- or r-process enrichment, [Sr/Fe] < 0.2 and [Ba/Fe] < 1.0 (3 sigma limits). Population III stars exploding as fallback supernovae may explain both the strong carbon enhancement and the apparent lack of enhancement of odd-Z and neutron-capture element abundances. Grids of supernova models computed for metal-free progenitor stars yield good matches for stars of about 10 M circle dot imparting a low kinetic energy on the supernova ejecta, while models for stars more massive than roughly 20 M circle dot are incompatible with the observed abundance pattern.
|
|
12. |
- Norris, J. E., et al.
(författare)
-
The most metal-poor stars. IV. the two populations with [Fe/H] ≲ -3.0
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 762:1, s. 28-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We discuss the carbon-normal and carbon-rich populations of Galactic halo stars having [Fe/H] ≲ -3.0, utilizing chemical abundances from high-resolution, high signal-to-noise model-atmosphere analyses. The C-rich population represents ∼28% of stars below [Fe/H] = -3.1, with the present C-rich sample comprising 16 CEMP-no stars, and two others with [Fe/H] ∼ -5.5 and uncertain classification. The population is O-rich ([O/Fe] ≳ +1.5); the light elements Na, Mg, and Al are enhanced relative to Fe in half the sample; and for Z > 20 (Ca) there is little evidence for enhancements relative to solar values. These results are best explained in terms of the admixing and processing of material from H-burning and He-burning regions as achieved by nucleosynthesis in zero-heavy-element models in the literature of "mixing and fallback" supernovae (SNe); of rotating, massive, and intermediate-mass stars; and of Type II SNe with relativistic jets. The available (limited) radial velocities offer little support for the C-rich stars with [Fe/H] < -3.1 being binary. More data are required before one could conclude that binarity is key to an understanding of this population. We suggest that the C-rich and C-normal populations result from two different gas cooling channels in the very early universe of material that formed the progenitors of the two populations. The first was cooling by fine-structure line transitions of C II and O I (to form the C-rich population); the second, while not well defined (perhaps dust-induced cooling?), led to the C-normal group. In this scenario, the C-rich population contains the oldest stars currently observed.
|
|
13. |
- Perez, A. E. Garcia, et al.
(författare)
-
A new sample of extremely/ultra metal-poor stars
- 2008
-
Ingår i: Physica Scripta. - 0031-8949 .- 1402-4896. ; T133, s. 014036-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A sample of 30 very metal-poor stars from the Hamburg-European Southern Observatory (ESO) objective-prism survey have been observed at high spectral resolution at the Very Large Telescope (VLT) using the Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES). Two of the observed stars are very interesting not only because of their very low iron content, approximately four orders of magnitude lower than the solar value, but also because we detected the neutral lithium resonance line at 670.8 nm. Hydrogen lines suggest that the two observed stars have effective temperatures around 6000-6250K and according to isochrones, they are either on the main-sequence or on the subgiant branch, in which case they would probably be the most metal-poor dwarfs or warm subgiants with lithium detections known. These detections would allow to determine more accurately the slope of the trend of the lithium abundance with [Fe/H] than was possible with samples of unevolved stars restricted to higher metallicities.
|
|
14. |
- Yong, D., et al.
(författare)
-
High-resolution spectroscopic follow-up of the most metal-poor candidates from SkyMapper DR1.1
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 507:3, s. 4102-4119
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present chemical abundances for 21 elements (from Li to Eu) in 150 metal-poor Galactic stars spanning −4.1 < [Fe/H] < −2.1. The targets were selected from the SkyMapper survey and include 90 objects with [Fe/H] ≤ −3 of which some 15 have [Fe/H] ≤ −3.5. When combining the sample with our previous studies, we find that the metallicity distribution function has a power-law slope of Δ(log N)/Δ[Fe/H] = 1.51 ± 0.01 dex per dex over the range −4 ≤ [Fe/H] ≤ −3. With only seven carbon-enhanced metal-poor stars in the sample, we again find that the selection of metal-poor stars based on SkyMapper filters is biased against highly carbon-rich stars for [Fe/H] > −3.5. Of the 20 objects for which we could measure nitrogen, 11 are nitrogen-enhanced metal-poor (NEMP) stars. Within our sample, the high NEMP fraction (55 per cent ± 21 per cent) is compatible with the upper range of predicted values (between 12 per cent and 35 per cent). The chemical abundance ratios [X/Fe] versus [Fe/H] exhibit similar trends to previous studies of metal-poor stars and Galactic chemical evolution models. We report the discovery of nine new r-I stars, four new r-II stars, one of which is the most metal-poor known, nine low-α stars with [α/Fe] ≤ 0.15 as well as one unusual star with [Zn/Fe] = +1.4 and [Sr/Fe] = +1.2 but with normal [Ba/Fe]. Finally, we combine our sample with literature data to provide the most extensive view of the early chemical enrichment of the Milky Way Galaxy.
|
|
15. |
- Yong, D., et al.
(författare)
-
r-Process elements from magnetorotational hypernovae
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 595:7866, s. 223-226
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Neutron-star mergers were recently confirmed as sites of rapid-neutron-capture (r-process) nucleosynthesis(1-3). However, in Galactic chemical evolution models, neutron-star mergers alone cannot reproduce the observed element abundance patterns of extremely metal-poor stars, which indicates the existence of other sites of r-process nucleosynthesis(4-6). These sites may be investigated by studying the element abundance patterns of chemically primitive stars in the halo of the Milky Way, because these objects retain the nucleosynthetic signatures of the earliest generation of stars(7-13). Here we report the element abundance pattern of the extremely metal-poor star SMSS J200322.54-114203.3. We observe a large enhancement in r-process elements, with very low overall metallicity. The element abundance pattern is well matched by the yields of a single 25-solar-mass magnetorotational hypernova. Such a hypernova could produce not only the r-process elements, but also light elements during stellar evolution, and iron-peak elements during explosive nuclear burning. Hypernovae are often associated with long-duration gamma-ray bursts in the nearby Universe(8). This connection indicates that similar explosions of fast-spinning strongly magnetized stars occurred during the earliest epochs of star formation in our Galaxy.
|
|
16. |
- Yong, D., et al.
(författare)
-
The most metal-poor stars. II. Chemical abundances of 190 metal-poor stars including 10 new stars with [Fe/H] ≤ -3.5
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 762:1, s. 26-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present a homogeneous chemical abundance analysis of 16 elements in 190 metal-poor Galactic halo stars (38 program and 152 literature objects). The sample includes 171 stars with [Fe/H] ≤ -2.5, of which 86 are extremely metal poor, [Fe/H] ≤ -3.0. Our program stars include 10 new objects with [Fe/H] ≤ -3.5. We identify a sample of "normal" metal-poor stars and measure the trends between [X/Fe] and [Fe/H], as well as the dispersion about the mean trend for this sample. Using this mean trend, we identify objects that are chemically peculiar relative to "normal" stars at the same metallicity. These chemically unusual stars include CEMP-no objects, one star with high [Si/Fe], another with high [Ba/Sr], and one with unusually low [X/Fe] for all elements heavier than Na. The Sr and Ba abundances indicate that there may be two nucleosynthetic processes at lowest metallicity that are distinct from the main r-process. Finally, for many elements, we find a significant trend between [X/Fe] versus T eff, which likely reflects non-LTE and/or three-dimensional effects. Such trends demonstrate that care must be exercised when using abundance measurements in metal-poor stars to constrain chemical evolution and/or nucleosynthesis predictions.
|
|
17. |
- Yong, David, et al.
(författare)
-
The most metal-poor stars. III. The metallicity distribution function and carbon-enhanced metal-poor fraction
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 762:1, s. 27-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We examine the metallicity distribution function (MDF) and fraction of carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars in a sample that includes 86 stars with [Fe/H] <= -3.0, based on high-resolution, high signal-to-noise spectroscopy, of which some 32 objects lie below [Fe/H] = -3.5. After accounting for the completeness function, the "corrected" MDF does not exhibit the sudden drop at [Fe/H] = -3.6 that was found in recent samples of dwarfs and giants from the Hamburg/ESO survey. Rather, the MDF decreases smoothly down to [Fe/H] = -4.1. Similar results are obtained from the "raw" MDF. We find that the fraction of CEMP objects below [Fe/H] = -3.0 is 23% +/- 6% and 32% +/- 8% when adopting the Beers & Christlieb and Aoki et al. CEMP definitions, respectively. The former value is in fair agreement with some previous measurements, which adopt the Beers & Christlieb criterion.
|
|
18. |
|
|
19. |
|
|
20. |
|
|
21. |
|
|
22. |
- Howes, L.~M., et al.
(författare)
-
The EMBLA survey - metal-poor stars in the Galactic bulge
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 460:1, s. 884-901
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cosmological models predict the oldest stars in the Galaxy should be found closest to the centre of the potential well, in the bulge. The Extremely Metal-poor BuLge stars with AAOmega survey (EMBLA) successfully searched for these old, metal-poor stars by making use of the distinctive SkyMapper photometric filters to discover candidate metal-poor stars in the bulge. Their metal-poor nature was then confirmed using the AAOmega spectrograph on the Anglo-Australian Telescope. Here we present an abundance analysis of 10 bulge stars with -2.8 < [Fe/H] < -1.7 from MIKE/Magellan observations, in total determining the abundances of 22 elements. Combining these results with our previous high-resolution data taken as part of the Gaia-ESO Survey, we have started to put together a picture of the chemical and kinematic nature of the most metal-poor stars in the bulge. The currently available kinematic data are consistent with the stars belonging to the bulge, although more accurate measurements are needed to constrain the stars' orbits. The chemistry of these bulge stars deviates from that found in halo stars of the same metallicity. Two notable differences are the absence of carbon-enhanced metal-poor bulge stars, and the alpha element abundances exhibit a large intrinsic scatter and include stars which are underabundant in these typically enhanced elements.
|
|
23. |
- Jacobson, Heather R., et al.
(författare)
-
High-Resolution Spectroscopic Study of Extremely Metal-Poor Star Candidates from the Skymapper Survey
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 807:2
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The SkyMapper Southern Sky Survey is carrying out a search for the most metal-poor stars in the Galaxy. It identifies candidates by way of its unique filter set which allows for estimation of stellar atmospheric parameters. The set includes a narrow filter centered on the Ca II K 3933 angstrom line, enabling a robust estimate of stellar metallicity. Promising candidates are then confirmed with spectroscopy. We present the analysis of Magellan Inamori Kyocera Echelle high-resolution spectroscopy of 122 metal-poor stars found by SkyMapper in the first two years of commissioning observations. Forty-one stars have [Fe/H] <= -3.0. Nine have [Fe/H] <= -3.5, with three at [Fe/H] similar to -4. A 1D LTE abundance analysis of the elements Li, C, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Sc, Ti, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Sr, Ba, and Eu shows these stars have [X/Fe] ratios typical of other halo stars. One star with low [X/Fe] values appears to be "Fe-enhanced," while another star has an extremely large [Sr/Ba] ratio: >2. Only one other star is known to have a comparable value. Seven stars are "CEMP-no" stars ([C/Fe] > 0.7, [Ba/Fe] < 0). 21 stars exhibit mild r-process element enhancements (0.3 <= [Eu/Fe] < 1.0), while four stars have [Eu/Fe] >= 1.0. These results demonstrate the ability to identify extremely metal-poor stars from SkyMapper photometry, pointing to increased sample sizes and a better characterization of the metal-poor tail of the halo metallicity distribution function in the future.
|
|
24. |
- Bessell, Michael S., et al.
(författare)
-
Nucleosynthesis in a Primordial Supernova : Carbon and Oxygen Abundances in SMSS J031300.36-670839.3
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal Letters. - 2041-8205 .- 2041-8213. ; 806:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- SMSS J031300.36-670839.3 (hereafter SM0313-6708) is a sub-giant halo star, with no detectable Fe lines and large overabundances of C and Mg relative to Ca. We obtained Very Large Telescope-Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) spectra extending to 3060 angstrom showing strong OH A-X band lines enabling an oxygen abundance to be derived. The OH A-X band lines in SM0313-6708 are much stronger than the CH C-X band lines. Spectrum synthesis fits indicate an [O/C] ratio of 0.02 +/- 0.175. Our high signal-to-noise ratio UVES data also enabled us to lower the Fe abundance limit to [Fe/H](< 3D >,NLTE) < -7.52 (3 sigma). These data support our previous suggestion that the star formed from the iron-poor ejecta of a single massive star Population III supernova.
|
|
25. |
- Bessell, M.S., et al.
(författare)
-
On the oxygen abundance of HE0107-5240
- 2004
-
Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal: Letters. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 612:1, s. 61-63
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
|
|
26. |
|
|
27. |
- Christlieb, Norbert, et al.
(författare)
-
New Searches for R-Process Enhanced Stars
- 2001
-
Ingår i: Proceedings of "Astrophysical Ages and Times Scales", ASP Conference Series. - : Astronomical Society of the Pacific, San Francisco, U.S.A.. - 1583810838 ; , s. 298-300
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- We discuss strategies for the detection of additional examples of highly r-process-enhanced, ultra-metal-poor stars, such as the two presently known examples of the class, CS~22892-052, and the newly discovered CS~31082-001. We expect that a quick, modera
|
|
28. |
- De Silva, G. M., et al.
(författare)
-
Chemical homogeneity in collinder 261 and implications for chemical tagging
- 2007
-
Ingår i: Astronomical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-6256 .- 1538-3881. ; 133:3, s. 1161-1175
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper presents abundances for 12 red giants of the old open cluster Collinder 261 based on spectra from the Very Large Telescope UVES. Abundances were derived for Na, Mg, Si, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zr, and Ba. We find that the cluster has a solar-level metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.03 dex. However, most alpha- and s-process elements were found to be enhanced. The star-to-star scatter was consistent with the expected measurement uncertainty for all elements. The observed rms scatter is as follows: Na = 0.07, Mg = 0.05, Si = 0.06, Ca = 0.05, Mn = 0.03, Fe = 0.02, Ni = 0.04, Zr = 0.12, and Ba = 0.03 dex. The intrinsic scatter was estimated to be less than 0.05 dex. Such high levels of homogeneity indicate that chemical information remains preserved in this old open cluster. We use the chemical homogeneity we have now established in Cr 261, the Hyades, and the HR 1614 moving group to examine the uniqueness of the individual cluster abundance patterns, i.e., chemical signatures. We demonstrate that the three studied clusters have unique chemical signatures and discuss how other such signatures may be searched for in the future. Our findings support the prospect of chemically tagging disk stars to common formation sites in order to unravel the dissipative history of the Galactic disk.
|
|
29. |
- Frebel, Anna, et al.
(författare)
-
Chemical abundance analysis of the extremely metal-poor star HE 1300+0157
- 2007
-
Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 658:1, s. 534-552
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present a detailed chemical abundance analysis of HE 1300+0157, a subgiant with Fe/H = -3.9. Froma high-resolution, high-S/N Subaru HDS spectrum we find the star to be enriched in C ([C/Fe](1D) similar to +1.4) and O ([O/Fe](1D) similar to +1.8). With the exception of these species, HE 1300+0157 exhibits an elemental abundance pattern similar to that found in many other very and extremely metal-poor stars. The Li abundance is lower than the Spite plateau value, in agreement with expectation for its evolutionary status. Of particular interest, no neutron-capture elements are detected in HE 1300+0157. This type of abundance pattern has been found by recent studies in several other metal-poor giants. We suggest that HE 1300+0157 is an unevolved example of this group of stars, which exhibit high C abundances together with low (or absent) abundances of neutron-capture elements (CEMP-no). Several potential enrichment scenarios are presented. The nondetection of neutron-capture elements including Sr, Ba, and Pb suggests that the carbon excess observed in HE 1300+0157 is not due to mass transfer across a binary system. Such a scenario is applied to carbon-rich objects with excesses of s-process elements. The normal observed Li abundance supports this interpretation. Most likely, the high levels of C and O were produced prior to the birth of this star. It remains unclear whether a single faint SN is responsible for its overall chemical pattern, or whether one requires a superposition of yields from a massive Population III object and a hypernova. These scenarios provide important information on the C production in the early universe and on the formation of C-rich stars in the early Galaxy.
|
|
30. |
- Korn, A. J., et al.
(författare)
-
HE 1327-2326, AN UNEVOLVED STAR WITH [Fe/H] <-5.0. III. DOES ITS ATMOSPHERE REFLECT ITS NATAL COMPOSITION?
- 2009
-
Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 698:1, s. 410-416
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Based on spectroscopic constraints derived from nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium line formation, we explore the likely range of stellar parameters (T-eff and log g) for the hyper-metal-poor (HMP) star HE 1327-2326. Combining the constraints from Balmer line profiles and the Ca I/II ionization equilibrium, a subgiant stage of evolution is indicated. This result is further supported by spectrophotometric observations of the Balmer jump. If a higher T-eff value was used (as favored by some photometric calibrations), the spectroscopic analysis would indicate a turnoff-point stage of evolution. Using a stellar-structure code that treats the effects of atomic diffusion throughout the star in detail, we evolve a low-mass model star to reach the Hertzsprung-Russell-diagram position of HE 1327-2326 after roughly 13 Gyr. While the surface abundances are modified significantly (by more than 1 dex for the case of uninhibited diffusion), such corrections cannot resolve the discrepancy between the abundance inferred from the nondetection of the Li I resonance line at 6707 angstrom and the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe based primordial lithium abundance. As there are numerous processes that can destroy lithium, any cosmological interpretation of a lower-than-expected lithium abundance at the lowest metallicities will have to await sample sizes of unevolved HMP stars that are 1 order of magnitude larger. The situation remains equally inconclusive concerning atomic-diffusion corrections. Here, attempts have to be made to better constrain internal mixing processes, both observationally and by means of sophisticated modeling. With constraints on additional mixing processes taken from a recent globular-cluster study, the likeliest scenario is that HE 1327-2326's surface abundances have undergone mild depletion (of order 0.2 dex).
|
|
31. |
- Norris, John E., et al.
(författare)
-
HE 0557-4840 : Ultra-metal-poor and carbon-rich
- 2007
-
Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 670:1, s. 774-788
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We report the discovery and high-resolution, high-S/N spectroscopic analysis of the ultra-metal-poor red giant HE 0557-4840, which is the third most heavy-element-deficient star currently known. Its atmospheric parameters are Teff=4900 K, logg=2.2, and [Fe/H]=-4.75. This brings the number of stars with [Fe/H]<-4.0 to three, and the discovery of HE 0557-4840 suggests that the metallicity distribution function of the Galactic halo does not have a ``gap'' between [Fe/H]=-4.0, where several stars are known, and the two most metal-poor stars, at [Fe/H]~-5.3. HE 0557-4840 is carbon rich ([C/Fe]=+1.6), a property shared by all three objects with [Fe/H]<-4.0, suggesting that the well-known increase of carbon relative to iron with decreasing [Fe/H] reaches its logical conclusion (ubiquitous carbon richness) at lowest abundance. We also present abundances (nine) and limits (nine) for a further 18 elements. For species having well-measured abundances or strong upper limits, HE 0557-4840 is ``normal'' in comparison with the bulk of the stellar population at [Fe/H]~-4.0, with the possible exception of Co. We discuss the implications of these results for chemical enrichment at the earliest times, in the context of single- (``mixing and fallback'') and two-component enrichment models. While neither offers a clear solution, the latter appears closer to the mark. Further data are required to determine the oxygen abundance and improve that of Co, and hence more strongly constrain the origin of this object. Based on observations collected at ANU's 2.3 m telescope on Siding Spring Mountain, Australia, and European Southern Observatory, Paranal, Chile (proposal 276.D-5041).
|
|
32. |
- Norris, John E., et al.
(författare)
-
The oxygen abundance of the ultra-metal-poor star HE 0557-4840
- 2012
-
Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - : Institute of Physics (IOP). - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 753:2, s. 150-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present a high-resolution ultraviolet (UV) spectrum of the ultra-metal-poor (UMP) carbon-enhanced red giant HE 0557-4840 (T-eff/log g/[Fe/H] = 4900/2.2/-4.8). Combining these data with earlier observations, the radial velocity is 212.0 +/- 0.4 km s(-1), with no evidence of variability during 2006 February to 2007 December. One-dimensional (1D) LTE model-atmosphere analysis of UV Fe and CH lines confirms the iron and carbon abundances obtained previously ([Fe/H] = -4.8 and [C/Fe](1D) = +1.7), and places a more stringent limit on nitrogen abundance of [N/Fe](1D) < +1.0. Analysis of the UV OH lines yields [O/Fe](1D) = +2.3 +/- 0.4. When corrections are made for three-dimensional (3D) effects we obtain [C/Fe](3D) = +1.1, [N/Fe](3D) < +0.1, and [O/Fe](3D) = +1.4. Comparison of the abundances of HE 0557-4840 with those of supernova models of Nomoto et al. and Joggerst et al. suggests that none is able to explain fully the observed abundance pattern. For HE 0557-4840, the Frebel et al. transition discriminant D-trans(= log(10([C/H]) + 0.3 x 10([O/H])) = -3.4 +/- 0.2, consistent with fine-structure transitions of C II and O I being a major cooling mechanism of star-forming regions at the earliest times. Of the four stars known to have [Fe/H] less than or similar to -4.3, three are strongly carbon and oxygen enhanced. If the suggestion by Caffau et al. that SDSS J102915+172927 ([Fe/H] = -4.7) does not belong to the class of C-rich, O-rich, UMP stars is supported by future similar discoveries, one will need to consider multiple channels for the production of stars having [Fe/H] less than or similar to -4.3.
|
|