Bibcode
Delgado Mena, E.; Tsantaki, M.; Sousa, S. G.; Kunitomo, M.; Adibekyan, V.; Zaworska, P.; Santos, N. C.; Israelian, G.; Lovis, C.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 587, id.A66, 14 pp.
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3
2016
Journal
Citations
38
Refereed citations
35
Description
Aims: The aim of this work is to search for Li-rich giants in a
sample of clusters where planets have been searched, thus we can study
the planet engulfment scenario to explain Li replenishment using a
proper comparison sample of stars without detected giant planets.
Methods: We derived Li abundances for a sample of 67 red giant stars in
12 different open clusters using standard spectral synthesis techniques
and high-resolution spectra (from HARPS and UVES). We also determined
masses, ages, and radius from PARSEC stellar isochrones to constrain the
evolutionary stage of these stars. Results: We found three stars
in different clusters with clearly enhanced Li abundances compared to
other stars within the cluster. Interestingly, the only two stars with a
detected substellar companion in our sample belong to that group. One of
the planet hosts, NGC 2423 No. 3, might lie close to the luminosity bump
on the HR diagram, a phase where Li production by the Cameron-Fowler
process is supported by extra-mixing to bring fresh Li up to the
surface. On the other hand, NGC 4349 No. 127 is a more massive and more
evolved giant that does not seem to be in the evolutionary phase where
other Li-rich stars are found. We discuss the possibility that the Li
enhancement of this star is triggered by the engulfment of a planet,
considering that close-in planets hardly survive the RGB tip and the
early AGB phases.
Based on observations collected at the La Silla Observatory, ESO
(Chile), with HARPS/3.6 m (runs ID 075.C-0140, 076.C-0429, 077.C-0088,
and 078.C-0133) and with UVES/VLT at the Cerro Paranal Observatory (run
079.C-0131).