Bibcode
Carlberg, J. K.; Smith, Verne V.; Cunha, Katia M. L.; Majewski, Steven R.; Meszaros, Szabolcs; Shetrone, Matthew D.; Allende-Prieto, C.; Bizyaev, Dmitry; Stassun, Keivan; Fleming, Scott W.; Zasowski, Gail; Hearty, Fred; Nidever, David L.; Schneider, Donald P.; Holtzman, Jon A.; Frinchaboy, Peter M.
Bibliographical reference
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #225, #340.01
Advertised on:
1
2015
Citations
0
Refereed citations
0
Description
We report on a spectroscopic study of the unusual Li-rich red giant (RG)
recently discovered in NGC 6819. This star was observed by the Apache
Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) survey as part
of the survey's calibration cluster sample. We use the high-resolution,
near-infrared APOGEE spectrum to address its questionable cluster
membership and test the hypothesis that Li was regenerated by nuclear
processes and mixed to the surface. Previously reported [Fe/H] and
radial velocity (RV) of the Li-rich star are consistent with cluster
membership, and the star's optical and infrared colors place it on the
cluster's red giant branch (RGB), below the luminosity bump. Most models
of internal Li regeneration on the RGB can only explain Li-rich stars at
the luminosity bump, but the currently favored model for the Li-rich
star is a relatively new variation on Li regeneration that can explain
the star's lower RGB position. This model predicts that the ratio of
12C/13C at the stellar surface should be reduced compared to normal
Li-poor RGs, a signature we sought to measure. However, the Li-rich
star's recently reported asterosesmic properties are inconsistent with
cluster membership. Specifically, the log g inferred from
asteroseismology is significantly lower than that of similar RGs in the
cluster. We find the membership question to be unresolved with our
analysis — our spectroscopic measurement of surface gravity
confirms the asteroseismic result, but the detailed abundances and RVs
that we measure are still consistent with cluster membership. Our
Li-enrichment test is more conclusive. We find a C/N ratio that
demonstrates that Li dilution should have occurred, but the 12C/13C is
consistent with normal dredge-up and inconsistent with Li-enrichment
mechanisms that require unusually deep mixing.