Bibcode
Fernández-Alvar, E.; Carigi, L.; Allende Prieto, C.; Hayden, M. R.; Beers, T. C.; Fernández-Trincado, J. G.; Meza, A.; Schultheis, M.; Santiago, B. X.; Queiroz, A. B.; Anders, F.; da Costa, L. N.; Chiappini, C.
Bibliographical reference
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 465, Issue 2, p.1586-1600
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2
2017
Citations
29
Refereed citations
25
Description
The galaxy formation process in the Λ cold dark matter scenario
can be constrained from the analysis of stars in the Milky Way's halo
system. We examine the variation of chemical abundances in distant halo
stars observed by the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution
Experiment (APOGEE), as a function of distance from the Galactic Centre
(r) and iron abundance ([M/H]), in the range 5 ≲ r ≲ 30 kpc
and -2.5 < [M/H] < 0.0. We perform a statistical analysis of the
abundance ratios derived by the APOGEE pipeline (ASPCAP) and distances
calculated by several approaches. Our analysis reveals signatures of a
different chemical enrichment between the inner and outer regions of the
halo, with a transition at about 15 kpc. The derived metallicity
distribution function exhibits two peaks, at [M/H] ˜ -1.5 and
˜-2.1, consistent with previously reported halo metallicity
distributions. We obtain a difference of ˜0.1 dex for
α-element-to-iron ratios for stars at r > 15 kpc and [M/H] >
-1.1 (larger in the case of O, Mg, and S) with respect to the nearest
halo stars. This result confirms previous claims for low-α stars
found at larger distances. Chemical differences in elements with other
nucleosynthetic origins (Ni, K, Na, and Al) are also detected. C and N
do not provide reliable information about the interstellar medium from
which stars formed because our sample comprises red giant branch and
asymptotic giant branch stars and can experience mixing of material to
their surfaces.
Related projects
Chemical Abundances in Stars
Stellar spectroscopy allows us to determine the properties and chemical compositions of stars. From this information for stars of different ages in the Milky Way, it is possible to reconstruct the chemical evolution of the Galaxy, as well as the origin of the elements heavier than boron, created mainly in stellar interiors. It is also possible to
Carlos
Allende Prieto