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At least 91 records · Page 5
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DOE OSTI2020

The Open Cluster Chemical Abundances and Mapping Survey. IV. Abundances for 128 Open Clusters Using SDSS/APOGEE DR16

The Open Cluster Chemical Abundances and Mapping (OCCAM) survey aims to constrain key Galactic dynamical and chemical evolution parameters by the construction of a large, comprehensive, uniform, infrared-based spectroscopic data set of hundreds of open clusters. This fourth contribution from the OCCAM survey presents analysis using Sloan Digital Sky Survey/APOGEE DR16 of a sample of 128 open clusters, 71 of which we designate to be “high quality” based on the appearance of their color–magnitude diagram. We find the APOGEE DR16 derived [Fe/H] abundances to be in good agreement with previous high-resolution spectroscopic open cluster abundance studies. Using the high-quality sample, we measure Galactic abundance gradients in 16 elements, and find evolution of some of the [X/Fe] gradients as a function of age. We find an overall Galactic [Fe/H] versus R {sub GC} gradient of −0.068 ± 0.001 dex kpc{sup −1} over the range of 6 < R {sub GC} < 13.9 kpc; however, we note that this result is sensitive to the distance catalog used, varying as much as 15%. We formally derive the location of a break in the [Fe/H] abundance gradient as a free parameter in the gradient fit for the first time. We also measure significant Galactic gradients in O, Mg, S, Ca, Mn, Cr, Cu, Na, Al, and K, some of which are measured for the first time. Our large sample allows us to examine four well-populated age bins in order to explore the time evolution of gradients for a large number of elements and comment on possible implications for Galactic chemical evolution and radial migration.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1989

Chemical evolution of viscously evolving galactic discs

The ability of the Lin-Pringle (1987) model of galactic disk formation to reproduce the observed radial distributions of total gas surface density and metals in disk galaxies is investigated. It is found that a satisfactory fit is obtained provided that there exists an outer cut-off to the star-forming disk beyond which gas is allowed to viscously evolve. The metallicity gradient is then established by radial inflow of gas from beyond this cut-off.

Clarke, Catherine J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Chemical and dynamical evolution of galactic discs

The relative roles of star formation and viscously-induced radial flows in galactic disks are discussed. It is shown that the present-day distributions of stars, gas, and metals in galactic spirals need not reflect initial conditions but may instead indicate a cooperation between star forming and viscous processes over the disk lifetime.

Clarke, Catherine J.↗
DOE OSTI2022

The Open Cluster Chemical Abundances and Mapping Survey. VII. APOGEE DR17 [C/N]–Age Calibration

Large-scale surveys open the possibility to investigate Galactic evolution both chemically and kinematically; however, reliable stellar ages remain a major challenge. Detailed chemical information provided by high-resolution spectroscopic surveys of the stars in clusters can be used as a means to calibrate recently developed chemical tools for age-dating field stars. Using data from the Open Cluster Abundances and Mapping survey, based on the Sloan Digital Sky Survey/Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment 2 survey, we derive a new empirical relationship between open cluster stellar ages and the carbon-to-nitrogen ([C/N]) abundance ratios for evolved stars, primarily those on the red giant branch. With this calibration, [C/N] can be used as a chemical clock for evolved field stars to investigate the formation and evolution of different parts of our Galaxy. We explore how mixing effects at different stellar evolutionary phases, like the red clump, affect the derived calibration. We have established the [C/N]–age calibration for APOGEE Data Release 17 (DR17) giant star abundances to be $\mathrm{log}{[\mathrm{Age}(\mathrm{yr})]}_{\mathrm{DR}17}=10.14\,(\pm 0.08)+2.23(\pm 0.19)\,[{\rm{C}}/{\rm{N}}]$, usable for $8.62\leqslant \mathrm{log}(\mathrm{Age}[\mathrm{yr}])\leqslant 9.82$, derived from a uniform sample of 49 clusters observed as part of APOGEE DR17 applicable primarily to metal-rich, thin- and thick-disk giant stars. This measured [C/N]–age APOGEE DR17 calibration is also shown to be consistent with asteroseismic ages derived from Kepler photometry.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2004

Open and Globular Cluster Distances for Extragalactic, Galactic, and Stellar Astrophysics

One of the hallmarks of SIM's few-milliarcsecond astrometric precision is its ability to obtain accurate parallax measurements across more than half of the Galaxy. The "open and globular" project obtains parallax distances to a set of star clusters. One important, goal is to pinpoint the zeropoint of the distance scale for main-sequence fitting. Another goal is to improve stellar evolutionary isochrones and integrated light models. Another goal is to use the clusters themselves to address unsolved problems of late-stage stellar evolution and Galactic and extragalactic chemical evolution. The clusters to be observed are chosen to span the widest possible range of abundance and age, to be as rich as possible, and to be as well-studied as possible.

Worthey, Guy S.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Origin of Plutonium-244 in the Early Solar System

We investigate the origin in the early Solar System of the short-lived radionuclide 244 Pu (with a half life of 80 Myr) produced by the rapid (r) neutron-capture process. We consider two large sets of r-process nucleosynthesis models and analyse if the origin of 244 Pu in the ESS is consistent with that of the other r and slow (s) neutron-capture process radioactive nuclei. Uncertainties on the r-process models come from both the nuclear physics input and the astrophysical site. The former strongly affects the ratios of isotopes of close mass ( 129 I/ 127 I, 244 Pu/ 238 U, and 247 Pu/ 235 U). The 129 I/ 247 Cm ratio, instead, which involves isotopes of a very different mass, is much more variable than those listed above and is more affected by the physics of the astrophysical site. We consider possible scenarios for the evolution of the abundances of these radioactive nuclei in the galactic interstellar medium and verify under which scenarios and conditions solutions can be found for the origin of 244 Pu that are consistent with the origin of the other isotopes. Solutions are generally found for all the possible different regimes controlled by the interval (δ) between additions from the source to the parcel of interstellar medium gas that ended up in the Solar System, relative to decay timescales. If r-process ejecta in interstellar medium are mixed within a relatively small area (leading to a long δ), we derive that the last event that explains the 129 I and 247 Cm abundances in the early Solar System can also account for the abundance of 244 Pu. Due to its longer half life, however, 244 Pu may have originated from a few events instead of one only. If r-process ejecta in interstellar medium are mixed within a relatively large area (leading to a short δ), we derive that the time elapsed from the formation of the molecular cloud to the formation of the Sun was 9-16 Myr.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1986

Secondary metallicity in analytic models of chemical evolution of galaxies

Analytic models of the chemical evolution of galactic regions that grow in mass owing to the continuous infall of matter are characterized, emphasizing the solutions for secondary nuclei (defined as those nuclei whose stellar yields are proportional to the abundance of a primary seed nucleus) in the families of models described by Clayton (1984 and 1985). Wide variations in time dependence of both primary and secondary nuclei as well as in the ratio of secondary to primary are displayed by these model families, confirming again the usefulness of these families as interpretive guides if galaxies do in fact evolve with substantial infall. Additionally, analytic solutions are presented for two other possible interesting systems: the evolution of abundances if the primary metallicity in the infall is increasing in time, and the evolution of abundances if the primary yield changes linearly with time owing to continuous changes in the stellar mass function, the opacity, or other astrophysical agents. Finally, test evaluations of the instantaneous recycling approximation on which these analytic models rely are presented.

Clayton, D. D.↗
NASA NTRS1998

A 2 THz Heterodyne Array Receiver for SOFIA: Summary of Research

We proposed to perform a comprehensive design study of a 16-element heterodyne array receiver for SOFIA. The array was designed to utilize hot-electron bolometers in an efficient, low-cost waveguide mount to achieve low noise performance between approximately 1500 and 2400 GHz. Due to the prevailing physical conditions in the interstellar medium, this frequency range is one of the richest in the Far-Infra Red (FIR) portion of the spectrum. An array designed for this wavelength range will make excellent use of the telescope and the available atmospheric transmission, and will provide a new perspective on stellar, chemical, and galactic evolution in the present as well as past epochs. A few of the most important molecular and atomic species which the instrument will sample are CII, OI, CO, OH, NII, and CH. The system used the most sensitive detectors available in an efficient optical system. The local oscillator was a compact CO2 pumped far-infrared laser currently under development for SOFIA. The backend spectrometer was an array acousto-optic spectrometer (aAOS). The spectrometer utilizes proven hardware and technologies to provide broadband performance (> 1 GHz per AOS channel) and high spectral resolution (1 MHz) with the maximum sensitivity and minimum complexity and cost. The proposed instrument would be the fastest and most sensitive heterodyne receiver ever to operate in the 1.5 - 2.4 THz band. One of the key technologies developed for the proposed instrument is the laser micromachining of waveguide structures. These structures provide both the optical link between the instrument and the telescope (via an array of efficient feedhorns) and the impedance transformation between the detectors and free space. With the assistance of funds provided from this grant, we were able to fabricate and test the world's first laser micromachined feedhorns. The quality of the waveguide structure is far better than that obtainable using any other fabrication technique. The beam parameters are an excellent match to what is expected from theory. The success of this experiment demonstrates the viability of using laser micromachined components in the development of high performance, large format array receivers. We have continued our development efforts and will propose to build a 2nd generation instrument based on the same design concepts.

Walker, Christopher K.↗
DOE OSTI2022

The Open Cluster Chemical Abundances and Mapping Survey. VI. Galactic Chemical Gradient Analysis from APOGEE DR17

The goal of the Open Cluster Chemical Abundances and Mapping (OCCAM) survey is to constrain key Galactic dynamic and chemical evolution parameters by the construction and analysis of a large, comprehensive, uniform data set of infrared spectra for stars in hundreds of open clusters. This sixth contribution from the OCCAM survey presents analysis of SDSS/APOGEE Data Release 17 (DR17) results for a sample of stars in 150 open clusters, 94 of which we designate to be "high-quality" based on the appearance of their color–magnitude diagram. We find the APOGEE DR17-derived [Fe/H] values to be in good agreement with those from previous high-resolution spectroscopic open cluster abundance studies. Using a subset of the high-quality sample, the Galactic abundance gradients were measured for 16 chemical elements, including [Fe/H], for both Galactocentric radius ($R$ GC ) and guiding center radius ($R$ guide ). We find an overall Galactic [Fe/H] versus RGC gradient of -0.073 ± 0.002 dex kpc -1 over the range of 6 > $R$ GC < 11.5 kpc, and a similar gradient is found for [Fe/H] versus $R$ guide . Significant Galactic abundance gradients are also noted for O, Mg, S, Ca, Mn, Na, Al, K, and Ce. Our large sample additionally allows us to explore the evolution of the gradients in four age bins for the remaining 15 elements.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Disc dichotomy signature in the vertical distribution of [Mg/Fe] and the delayed gas infall scenario

Context. Analysis of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment project (APOGEE) data suggests the existence of a clear distinction between two sequences of disc stars in the [α/Fe] versus [Fe/H] abundance ratio space, known as the high- and low-α sequence, respectively. This dichotomy also emerges from an analysis of the vertical distribution of the [α/Fe] abundance ratio. Aims. We aim to test whether the revised two-infall chemical evolution models designed to reproduce the low- and high-α sequences in the [α/Fe] versus [Fe/H] ratios in the solar neighbourhood are also capable of predicting the disc bimodality observed in the vertical distribution of [Mg/Fe] in APOGEE DR16 data. Methods. Along with the chemical composition of the simple stellar populations born at different Galactic times predicted by our reference chemical evolution models in the solar vicinity, we provide their maximum vertical height above the Galactic plane |zmax| computed assuming the relation between the vertical action and stellar age in APOGEE thin-disc stars. Result. The vertical distribution of the [Mg/Fe] abundance ratio predicted by the reference chemical evolution models is in agreement with that observed when combining the APOGEE DR16 data (chemical abundances) with the astroNN catalogue (stellar ages, orbital parameters) for stars younger than 8 Gyr (only low-α sequence stars). Including the high-α disc component, the dichotomy in the vertical [Mg/Fe] abundance distribution is reproduced considering the observational cut in the Galactic height of |z|< 2 kpc. However, our model predicts an overly flat (almost constant) growth of the maximum vertical height |zmax| quantity as a function of [Mg/Fe] for high-α objects in contrast with the median values from APOGEE data. Possible explanations for such a tension are that: (i) the APOGEE sample with |z|< 2 kpc is more likely than ours to be contaminated by halo stars, causing the median values to be kinematically hotter, and (ii) external perturbations – such as minor mergers – that the Milky Way experienced in the past could have heated up the disc, and the heating of the orbits cannot be modeled by only scattering processes. Assuming a disc dissection based on chemistry for APOGEE-DR16 stars (|z|< 2 kpc), the observed |zmax| distributions for high-α and low-α sequences are in good agreement with our model predictions if we consider the errors in the vertical action estimates in the calculation. Moreover, a better agreement between predicted and observed stellar distributions at different Galactic vertical heights is achieved if asteroseismic ages are included as a constraint in the best-fit model calculations. Conclusions. The signature of a delayed gas infall episode, which gives rise to a hiatus in the star formation history of the Galaxy, are imprinted both in the [Mg/Fe] versus [Fe/H] relation and in vertical distribution of [Mg/Fe] abundances in the solar vicinity.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

APOGEE detection of N-rich stars in the tidal tails of Palomar 5

Recent results from chemical tagging studies using Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment data suggest a strong link between the chemical abundance patterns of stars found within globular clusters (GC), and chemically peculiar populations in the Galactic halo field. In this paper, we analyse the chemical compositions of stars within the cluster body and tidal streams of Palomar 5, a GC that is being tidally disrupted by interaction with the Galactic gravitational potential. Here we report the identification of nitrogen-rich (N-rich) stars both within and beyond the tidal radius of Palomar 5, with the latter being clearly aligned with the cluster tidal streams; this acts as confirmation that N-rich stars are lost to the Galactic halo from GCs, and provides support to the hypothesis that field N-rich stars identified by various groups have a GC origin.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

The Open Cluster Chemical Abundances and Mapping Survey. V. Chemical Abundances of CTIO/Hydra Clusters Using The Cannon

Open clusters are key chemical and age tracers of Milky Way evolution. While open clusters provide significant constraints on galaxy evolution, their use has been limited due to discrepancies in measuring abundances from different studies. We analyze medium-resolution ( R ~ 19,000) Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory/Hydra spectra of giant stars in 58 open clusters using The Cannon to determine [Fe/H], [Mg/Fe], [Si/Fe], [Al/Fe], and [O/Fe]. This work adds an additional 55 primarily southern hemisphere open clusters calibrated to the Sloan Digital Sky Survey/Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment DR16 metallicity system. This uniform analysis is compared to previous studies [Fe/H] measurements for 23 clusters and we present spectroscopic metallicities for the first time for 35 open clusters.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1996

Galactic Abundance Gradients fro IR Fine Strucuture LInes in Compact H II regions

We present observations of the [S III]19(micro)m, [O III]52 and 88(micro)m, and [N III]57(micro)m lines toward 18 compact and ultracompact (UC) H II regions. These data were combined with data from the literature and high-resolution radio continuum maps to construct detailed statistical equilibrium and ionization equilibrium models of 34 compact H II regions located at galactocentric distances (Dg)0-12kpc. Our models simultaneously fit the observed IR fine-structure lines and high-resolution radio continuum maps.

galactic elements chemical evolution galaxy format↗
NASA NTRS1990

The onset of galactic winds in early-type galaxies

Researchers report on a program using Einstein x ray observations of the x ray spectra and surface brightness profiles (or extents) of a large sample of early-type (elliptical and SO) galaxies for which the goal is to determine the critical optical luminosity for which galactic winds are important. For galaxies in which the x ray emission is dominated by hydrostatic coronae, the x ray spectra will be relatively soft (characterized by a temperature of approx. 10 to the 7th power K), while for galaxies with a galactic wind, the emission will be dominated by the spectrally harder discrete sources (since the x ray emission from the wind is essentially negligible). In this new sample of 180 galaxies, there are 28 early type galaxies with sufficient counts to obtain a spectrum with the Einstein Image Proportional Counter (IPC). This sample more than doubles the total number of early-type galaxies in earlier compilations (Forman, Jones, and Tucker 1985; Canizares et al. 1987). The new spectral observations will help determine the critical optical luminosity for the onset of galactic winds which is important for understanding the chemical evolution of galaxies and of the intergalactic medium. The implications of galactic winds for the heavy element enrichment and energy content of the intracluster medium are discussed.

Forman, W.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Star formation rates and abundance gradients in disk galaxies

Analytic models for the evolution of disk galaxies are presented, placing special emphasis on the radial properties. These models are straightforward extensions of the original Schmidt (1959, 1963) models, with a dependence of star formation rate on gas density. The models provide successful descriptions of several measures of galactic disk evolution, including solar neighborhood chemical evolution, the presence and amplitude of metallicity and color gradients in disk galaxies, and the global rates of star formation in disk galaxies, and aid in the understanding of the apparent connection between young and old stellar populations in spiral galaxies.

Wyse, Rosemary F. G.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Strong chemical tagging with APOGEE: 21 candidate star clusters that have dissolved across the Milky Way disc

ABSTRACT Chemically tagging groups of stars born in the same birth cluster is a major goal of spectroscopic surveys. To investigate the feasibility of such strong chemical tagging, we perform a blind chemical tagging experiment on abundances measured from APOGEE survey spectra. We apply a density-based clustering algorithm to the 8D chemical space defined by [Mg/Fe], [Al/Fe], [Si/Fe], [K/Fe], [Ti/Fe], [Mn/Fe], [Fe/H], and [Ni/Fe], abundances ratios which together span multiple nucleosynthetic channels. In a high-quality sample of 182 538 giant stars, we detect 21 candidate clusters with more than 15 members. Our candidate clusters are more chemically homogeneous than a population of non-member stars with similar [Mg/Fe] and [Fe/H], even in abundances not used for tagging. Group members are consistent with having the same age and fall along a single stellar-population track in log g versus Teff space. Each group’s members are distributed over multiple kpc, and the spread in their radial and azimuthal actions increases with age. We qualitatively reproduce this increase using N-body simulations of cluster dissolution in Galactic potentials that include transient winding spiral arms. Observing our candidate birth clusters with high-resolution spectroscopy in other wavebands to investigate their chemical homogeneity in other nucleosynthetic groups will be essential to confirming the efficacy of strong chemical tagging. Our initially spatially compact but now widely dispersed candidate clusters will provide novel limits on chemical evolution and orbital diffusion in the Galactic disc, and constraints on star formation in loosely bound groups.

Price-Jones, Natalie↗
DOE OSTI2024

Exploring the origin of the distance bimodality of stars in the periphery of the Small Magellanic Cloud with APOGEE and Gaia

ABSTRACT The Magellanic Cloud system represents a unique laboratory for study of both interacting dwarf galaxies and the ongoing process of the formation of the Milky Way and its halo. We focus on one aspect of this complex, three-body interaction – the dynamical perturbation of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) by the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), and specifically potential tidal effects on the SMC’s eastern side. Using Gaia astrometry and the precise radial velocities (RVs) and multielement chemical abundances from Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE-2) Data Release 17, we explore the well-known distance bimodality on the eastern side of the SMC. Through estimated stellar distances, proper motions, and RVs, we characterize the kinematics of the two populations in the bimodality and compare their properties with those of SMC populations elsewhere. Moreover, while all regions explored by APOGEE seem to show a single chemical enrichment history, the metallicity distribution function (MDF), of the ‘far’ stars on the eastern periphery of the SMC is found to resemble that for the more metal-poor fields of the western periphery, whereas the MDF for the ‘near’ stars on the eastern periphery resembles that for stars in the SMC Centre. The closer eastern periphery stars also show RVs (corrected for SMC rotation and bulk motion) that are, on average, approaching us relative to all other SMC populations sampled. We interpret these trends as evidence that the near stars on the eastern side of the SMC represent material pulled out of the central SMC as part of its tidal interaction with the LMC.

Almeida, Andres (ORCID:0009000007332479)↗