NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010A-0316
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010A-0316 |
|
PI: Kris Sellgren, Ohio State University, sellgren@astronomy.ohio-state.edu
Address: Astronomy Department, 140 West 18th Av., Columbus, OH 43210, USA
CoI: Katia Cunha, NOAO
CoI: Robert Blum, NOAO
CoI: Solange Ramirez, NExScI/IPAC/Caltech
CoI: Verne Smith, NOAO
Title: Stellar Abundances within 2 pc of the Central Black Hole in the Galactic Center
Abstract:
The chemical abundances of young, massive, cool stars in the central
few pc of the Milky Way trace star formation and chemical enrichment
histories in a unique Galactic environment in close proximity to a
massive black hole. Our Galactic Center is of intense interest for
understanding the nuclei of both normal galaxies and AGNs. We propose
to follow up the unexpected discovery of enhanced alpha-element stellar
abundances at near-solar metallicity in the Galactic Center. Our
initial study focused on the alpha-elements O and Ca in 10 stars; we
have recently doubled our sample size by observing two key elements, Mg
and Al. The distinct behaviors of O and Mg as a function of metallicity
trace the relative importance of Wolf-Rayet winds in shaping the nature
of chemical evolution, while the supernova yields of Al are metallicity
dependent. We propose here to complement our recent observations by
measuring Fe, Ca, and O in this larger sample of stars. Taken together,
the combination of O, Mg, Ca, Al and Fe abundances will allow modeling
of the chemical evolution within a unique region of the Milky Way.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010A-0316 |
|