MINCE
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Context. The project called Measuring at Intermediate metallicity Neutron-Capture Elements (MINCE) primarily focuses on the photospheric abundances of several neutron-capture (NC) elements from high-quality spectra of metal-poor stars within the metallicity range of −2.5 ≤ [Fe/H] ≤ −1.5, aiming to provide homogeneous information on their chemical compositions. Furthermore, based on the Gaia mission, chemical abundances can now be coupled with kinematic properties, enabling investigations of the constituent substructures of the Milky Way. Aims. We analyse the fourth sample of MINCE stars in terms of atmospheric parameters and chemical composition. The results are then compared with the previously analysed MINCE samples. Methods. The observations were conducted with HARPS-N (R ≈ 120 000) at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG) and FIES (R ≈ 67 000 ) at the Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT), providing optical spectra with a high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) and high resolution. We then used the methods developed in previous MINCE works and Gaia photometric data to obtain the stellar atmospheric parameters. The chemical abundances were analysed using 1D-LTE model atmospheres. Results. We present the photospheric abundances in 37 stars of up to 26 elements, including α , iron-peak, light-odd, and 10 NC–elements (Sr, Y, Zr, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu). Kinematic properties and membership assessments are provided for all stars. The MINCE catalogue is thus expanded by 13 thin-disc stars, 9 thick-disc stars, 1 star in a transition zone between the thin and thick disc, 9 stars of the halo, and 5 Gaia -Sausage-Enceladus stars. Conclusions. The results agree excellently with previous MINCE works. The comparison with a Gaia Sausage Enceladus GCE model is consistent with the scenario of a major accretion event on the Milky Way from a dwarf galaxy.
Source: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Institutions: University of Trieste, Trieste Astronomical Observatory, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Trieste, National Institute for Astrophysics, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris Cité, Université Paris Sciences et Lettres, Observatoire de Paris, Sorbonne Université, CY Cergy Paris Université, Universidad Andrés Bello, European Southern Observatory, European Southern Observatory, Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory, Goethe University Frankfurt, Osservatorio di Astrofisica e Scienza dello Spazio, University of Bologna, Uppsala University, Vilnius University, Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,865
OpenAlex ID: W7204545313