Nitrogen abundances in giant stars of the globular cluster NGC 6752

David Yong*, Frank Grundahl, Jennifer A. Johnson, Martin Asplund

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    128 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We present N abundances for 21 bright giants in the globular cluster NGC 6752 based on high-resolution UVES spectra of the 3360 ÅNH lines. We confirm that the Strömgren c1 index traces the N abundance and find that the star-to-star N abundance variation is 1.95 dex, at the sample's luminosity. We find statistically significant correlations, but small-amplitude variations, between the abundances of N and α-, Fe-peak, and s-process elements. Analyses using model atmospheres with appropriate N, O, Na, and Al abundances would strengthen, rather than mute, these correlations. If the small variations of heavy elements are real, then the synthesis of the N anomalies must take place in stars which also synthesize α-, Fe-peak, and s-process elements. These correlations offer support for contributions from both asymptotic giant branch and massive stars to the globular cluster abundance anomalies.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1159-1169
    Number of pages11
    JournalAstrophysical Journal
    Volume684
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 10 Sept 2008

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