Year: 2006
Type: article
Abstract: We report on observations of six giants in the globular cluster M15 (NGC 7078) using the Subaru Telescope to measure neutron-capture elemental abundances. Our abundance analyses, based on high-quality blue spectra, confirm the star-to-star scatter in the abundances of heavy neutron-capture elements (e.g., Eu), and we found no significant s -process contribution to them, as was found in previous studies. We have found that, for the first time, there are anticorrelations between the abundance ratios of light to heavy neutron-capture elements ([Y/Eu] and [Zr/Eu]) and the heavy neutron-capture elements (e.g., Eu). This indicates that the light neutron-capture elements in these stars cannot be explained by only a single r -process. Another process that contributed significantly to the light neutron-capture elements is required in M15. Our results suggest a complicated enrichment history for M15 and its progenitor.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
DOI: 10.1086/504106
Authors: Kaori Otsuki, Satoshi Honda, Wako Aoki, Toshitaka Kajino, Grant J. Mathews
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2134713723