NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2004B-0113
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2004B-0113 |
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PI: Eileen D. Friel, NSF, efriel@nsf.gov
Address: Division of Astronomical Sciences, 4201 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22230
CoI: Heather Jacobson, Indiana University
CoI: Caty Pilachowski, Indiana University
Title: Stellar Abundances in Old Disk Clusters
Abstract: The open clusters of our Galaxy, which cover a range in age, position, and metallicity, are excellent tracers of the chemical evolution of the Galactic disk. Although relatively rare, the clusters older than about one Gyr are especially valuable for the information they can provide on the conditions in the early disk. The behavior of the (alpha)-elements, oxygen, other light elements such as sodium and aluminium and the r- and s-process elements are key indicators of the star forming environments and nucleosynthetic processing of the past. We propose to obtain high-resolution spectra of evolved stars in a selection of old open clusters to determine many of these key elemental abundance ratios. Our sample emphasizes the oldest known clusters and those in the outer disk, extending and complementing the limited samples that have been previously obtained. With these larger samples in hand we will be able to investigate whether the abundance ratios follow trends with age or position in the disk, reflecting different star formation rates and enrichment histories.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2004B-0113 |
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