SIMBAD references

2009AJ....137..272R - Astron. J., 137, 272-295 (2009/January-0)

Chemical inhomogeneities in the Milky Way stellar halo.

ROEDERER I.U.

Abstract (from CDS):

We have compiled a sample of 699 stars from the recent literature with detailed chemical abundance information (spanning -4.2≲ [Fe/H] ≲+0.3), and we compute their space velocities and Galactic orbital parameters. We identify members of the inner and outer stellar halo populations in our sample based only on their kinematic properties and then compare the abundance ratios of these populations as a function of [Fe/H]. In the metallicity range where the two populations overlap (-2.5≲ [Fe/H] ≲-1.5), the mean [Mg/Fe] of the outer halo is lower than the inner halo by -0.1 dex. For [Ni/Fe] and [Ba/Fe], the star-to-star abundance scatter of the inner halo is consistently smaller than in the outer halo. The [Na/Fe], [Y/Fe], [Ca/Fe], and [Ti/Fe] ratios of both populations show similar means and levels of scatter. Our inner halo population is chemically homogeneous, suggesting that a significant fraction of the Milky Way stellar halo originated from a well-mixed interstellar medium. In contrast, our outer halo population is chemically diverse, suggesting that another significant fraction of the Milky Way stellar halo formed in remote regions where chemical enrichment was dominated by local supernova events. We find no abundance trends with maximum radial distance from the Galactic center or maximum vertical distance from the Galactic disk. We also find no common kinematic signature for groups of metal-poor stars with peculiar abundance patters, such as the α-poor stars or stars showing unique neutron-capture enrichment patterns. Several stars and dwarf spheroidal systems with unique abundance patterns spend the majority of their time in the distant regions of the Milky Way stellar halo, suggesting that the true outer halo of the Galaxy may have little resemblance to the local stellar halo.

Abstract Copyright:

Journal keyword(s): Galaxy: formation - Galaxy: halo - globular clusters: general - nuclear reactions, nucleosynthesis, abundances - stars: abundances - stars: Population II

VizieR on-line data: <Available at CDS (J/AJ/137/272): table1.dat>

CDS comments: In paragraph 8.3 HE 0577-4840 is a misprint for HE 0557-4840.

Simbad objects: 737

goto Full paper

goto View the references in ADS

To bookmark this query, right click on this link: simbad:2009AJ....137..272R and select 'bookmark this link' or equivalent in the popup menu