arXiv subjects

Rana Ezzeddine

Publications and source records attributed to Rana Ezzeddine.

52 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Spectroscopy of the Young Stellar Association Price-Whelan 1: Origin in the Magellanic Leading Arm and Constraints on the Milky Way Hot Halo

We report spectroscopic measurements of stars in the recently discovered young stellar association Price-Whelan 1 (PW 1), which was found in the vicinity of the Leading Arm (LA) of the Magellanic Stream. We obtained Magellan+MIKE high-resolution spectra of the 28 brightest stars in PW 1 and used The Cannon to determine their stellar parameters. We find that the mean metallicity of PW 1 is [Fe/H]=-1.23 with a small scatter of 0.06 dex and the mean radial velocity is Vhelio=276.7 km/s with a dispersion of 11.0 km/s. Our results are consistent in Teff, logg, and [Fe/H] with the young and metal-poor characteristics (116 Myr and [Fe/H]=-1.1) determined for PW 1 from our discovery paper. We find a strong correlation between the spatial pattern of the PW 1 stars and the LA II gas with an offset of -10.15 deg in L_MS and +1.55 deg in B_MS. The similarity in metallicity, velocity, and spatial patterns indicates that PW 1 likely originated in LA II. We find that the spatial and kinematic separation between LA II and PW 1 can be explained by ram pressure from Milky Way gas. Using orbit integrations that account for the LMC and MW halo and outer disk gas, we constrain the halo gas density at the orbital pericenter of PW 1 to be n_halo (17 kpc) = 2.7 (3) x 10^-3 atoms/cm^3 and the disk gas density at the midplane at 20 kpc to be n_disk (20 kpc,0) = 6.0 (1.8) x 10^-2 atoms/cm^3. We, therefore, conclude that PW 1 formed from the LA II of the Magellanic Stream, making it a powerful constraint on the Milky Way-Magellanic interaction.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2019

Evidence for an aspherical Population III supernova explosion inferred from the hyper metal-poor star HE1327-2326

We present observational evidence that an aspherical supernova explosion could have occurred in the First stars in the early universe. Our results are based on the First determination of a Zn abundance in a Hubble Space Telescope/Cosmic Origins Spectrograph high-resolution UV spectrum of a hyper metal-poor (HMP) star, HE1327-2326, with [Fe/H](NLTE) = -5.2. We determine [Zn/Fe] = 0.80$\pm$0.25 from a UV Zn I line at 2138 detected at $3.4σ$. Yields of a 25M$_{\odot}$ aspherical supernova model with artificially modified densities exploding with E = 5x10$^{51}$ ergs best match the entire abundance pattern of HE1327-2326. Such high-entropy hypernova explosions are expected to produce bipolar outfows which could facilitate the external enrichment of small neighboring galaxies. This has already been predicted by theoretical studies of the earliest star forming minihalos. Such a scenario would have significant implications for the chemical enrichment across the early universe as HMP Carbon Enhanced Metal-Poor (CEMP) stars such as HE1327-2326 might have formed in such externally enriched environments.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2019

The R-Process Alliance: Discovery of a low-alpha, r-Process-Enhanced Metal-Poor Star in the Galactic Halo

A new moderately r-process-enhanced metal-poor star, RAVE J093730.5-062655, has been identified in the Milky Way halo as part of an ongoing survey by the R-Process Alliance. The temperature and surface gravity indicate that J0937-0626 is likely a horizontal branch star. At [Fe/H] = -1.86, J0937-0626 is found to have subsolar [X/Fe] ratios for nearly every light, alpha, and Fe-peak element. The low [alpha/Fe] ratios can be explained by an ~0.6 dex excess of Fe; J0937-0626 is therefore similar to the subclass of "iron-enhanced" metal-poor stars. A comparison with Milky Way field stars at [Fe/H] = -2.5 suggests that J0937-0626 was enriched in material from an event, possibly a Type Ia supernova, that created a significant amount of Cr, Mn, Fe, and Ni and smaller amounts of Ca, Sc, Ti, and Zn. The r-process enhancement of J0937-0626 is likely due to a separate event, which suggests that its birth environment was highly enriched in r-process elements. The kinematics of J0937-0626, based on Gaia DR2 data, indicate a retrograde orbit in the Milky Way halo; J0937-0626 was therefore likely accreted from a dwarf galaxy that had significant r-process enrichment.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2018

The R-Process Alliance: Spectroscopic Follow-up of Low-Metallicity Star Candidates from the Best & Brightest Survey

We present results from an observing campaign to identify low-metallicity stars in the Best & Brightest Survey. From medium-resolution (R ~ 1, 200 - 2, 000) spectroscopy of 857 candidates, we estimate the stellar atmospheric parameters (Teff, log g, and [Fe/H]), as well as carbon and alpha-element abundances. We find that 69% of the observed stars have [Fe/H] <= -1.0, 39% have [Fe/H] <= -2.0, and 2% have [Fe/H] <= -3.0. There are also 133 carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars in this sample, with 97 CEMP Group I and 36 CEMP Group II stars identified in the A(C) versus [Fe/H] diagram. A subset of the confirmed low-metallicity stars were followed-up with high-resolution spectroscopy, as part of the R-process Alliance, with the goal of identifying new highly and moderately r-process-enhanced stars. Comparison between the stellar atmospheric parameters estimated in this work and from high-resolution spectroscopy exhibit good agreement, confirming our expectation that medium-resolution observing campaigns are an effective way of selecting interesting stars for further, more targeted, efforts.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2018

An empirical recipe for inelastic hydrogen-atom collisions in non-LTE calculations

We investigate the role of hydrogen collisions in NLTE spectral line synthesis, and introduce a new general empirical recipe to determine inelastic charge transfer (CT) and bound-bound hydrogen collisional rates. This recipe is based on fitting the energy functional dependence of published quantum collisional rate coefficients of several neutral elements (BeI, NaI, MgI, AlI, SiI and CaI) using simple polynomial equations. We perform thorough NLTE abundance calculation tests using our method for four different atoms, Na, Mg, Al and Si, for a broad range of stellar parameters. We then compare the results to calculations computed using the published quantum rates for all the corresponding elements. We also compare to results computed using excitation collisional rates via the commonly used Drawin equation for different fudge factors, SH, applied. We demonstrate that our proposed method is able to reproduce the NLTE abundance corrections performed with the quantum rates for different spectral types and metallicities for representative NaI and AlI lines to within $\le$0.05 dex and %\le%0.03 dex, respectively. For MgI and SiI lines, the method performs better for the cool giants and dwarfs, while larger discrepancies up to 0.2 dex could be obtained for some lines for the subgiants and warm dwarfs. We obtained larger NLTE correction differences between models incorporating Drawin rates relative to the quantum models by up to 0.4 dex. These discrepancies are potentially due to ignoring either or both CT and ionization collisional processes by hydrogen in our Drawin models. Our empirical fitting method performs well in its ability to reproduce, within narrow uncertainties, the abundance corrections computed with models incorporating quantum collisional rates. It could possibly be extended to other transitions or in the absence of published quantum calculations, to other elements as well.

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arXiv2018

The R-Process Alliance: First Release from the Northern Search for r-Process Enhanced Metal-Poor Stars in the Galactic Halo

This paper presents the detailed abundances and r-process classifications of 126 newly identified metal-poor stars as part of an ongoing collaboration, the R-Process Alliance. The stars were identified as metal-poor candidates from the RAdial Velocity Experiment (RAVE) and were followed-up at high spectral resolution (R~31,500) with the 3.5~m telescope at Apache Point Observatory. The atmospheric parameters were determined spectroscopically from Fe I lines, taking into account <3D> non-LTE corrections and using differential abundances with respect to a set of standards. Of the 126 new stars, 124 have [Fe/H]<-1.5, 105 have [Fe/H]<-2.0, and 4 have [Fe/H]<-3.0. Nine new carbon-enhanced metal-poor stars have been discovered, 3 of which are enhanced in r-process elements. Abundances of neutron-capture elements reveal 60 new r-I stars (with +0.3<=[Eu/Fe]<=+1.0 and [Ba/Eu]<0) and 4 new r-II stars (with [Eu/Fe]>+1.0). Nineteen stars are found to exhibit a `limited-r' signature ([Sr/Ba]>+0.5, [Ba/Eu]<0). For the r-II stars, the second- and third-peak main r-process patterns are consistent with the r-process signature in other metal-poor stars and the Sun. The abundances of the light, alpha, and Fe-peak elements match those of typical Milky Way halo stars, except for one r-I star which has high Na and low Mg, characteristic of globular cluster stars. Parallaxes and proper motions from the second Gaia data release yield UVW space velocities for these stars which are consistent with membership in the Milky Way halo. Intriguingly, all r-II and the majority of r-I stars have retrograde orbits, which may indicate an accretion origin.

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arXiv2018

Chemical Abundance Signature of J0023+0307 -- A Second-Generation Main-Sequence Star with [Fe/H]<-6

We present a chemical abundance analysis of the faint halo metal-poor main-sequence star J0023+0307, with [Fe/H]<-6.3, based on a high-resolution (R~35,000) Magellan/MIKE spectrum. The star was originally found to have [Fe/H]< -6.6 based on a Ca II K measurement in an R~2,500 spectrum. No iron lines could be detected in our MIKE spectrum. Spectral lines of Li, C, Na, Mg, Al, Si, and Ca were detected. The Li abundance is close to the Spite Plateau, A(Li) = 1.7, not unlike that of other metal-poor stars although in stark contrast to the extremely low value found e.g., in HE~1327-2326 at a similar [Fe/H] value. The carbon G-band is detected and indicates strong C-enhancement, as is typical for stars with low Fe abundances. Elements from Na through Si show a strong odd-even effect, and J0023+0307 displays the second-lowest known [Ca/H] abundance. Overall, the abundance pattern of J0023+0307 suggests that it is a second-generation star that formed from gas enriched by a massive Population III first star exploding as a fall-back supernova The inferred dilution mass of the ejecta is 10^(5+-0.5) Msun of hydrogen, strongly suggesting J0023+0307 formed in a recollapsed minihalo. J0023+0307 is likely very old because it has a very eccentric orbit with a pericenter in the Galactic bulge.

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arXiv2018

FRIB and the GW170817 Kilonova

In July 2018 an FRIB Theory Alliance program was held on the implications of GW170817 and its associated kilonova for r-process nucleosynthesis. Topics of discussion included the astrophysical and nuclear physics uncertainties in the interpretation of the GW170817 kilonova, what we can learn about the astrophysical site or sites of the r process from this event, and the advances in nuclear experiment and theory most crucial to pursue in light of the new data. Here we compile a selection of scientific contributions to the workshop, broadly representative of progress in r-process studies since the GW170817 event.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

The R-Process Alliance: A Comprehensive Abundance Analysis of HD 222925, a Metal-Poor Star with an Extreme R-Process Enhancement of [Eu/H] = -0.14

We present a detailed abundance analysis of the bright (V = 9.02), metal-poor ([Fe/H] = -1.47 +/- 0.08) field red horizontal-branch star HD 222925, which was observed as part of an ongoing survey by the R-Process Alliance. We calculate stellar parameters and derive abundances for 46 elements based on 901 lines examined in a high-resolution optical spectrum obtained using the Magellan Inamori Kyocera Echelle spectrograph. We detect 28 elements with 38 <= Z <= 90; their abundance pattern is a close match to the Solar r-process component. The distinguishing characteristic of HD 222925 is an extreme enhancement of r-process elements ([Eu/Fe] = +1.33 +/- 0.08, [Ba/Eu] = -0.78 +/- 0.10) in a moderately metal-poor star, so the abundance of r-process elements is the highest ([Eu/H] = -0.14 +/- 0.09) in any known r-process-enhanced star. The abundance ratios among lighter (Z <= 30) elements are typical for metal-poor stars, indicating that production of these elements was dominated by normal Type II supernovae, with no discernible contributions from Type Ia supernovae or asymptotic giant branch stars. The chemical and kinematic properties of HD 222925 suggest it formed in a low-mass dwarf galaxy, which was enriched by a high-yield r-process event before being disrupted by interaction with the Milky Way.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2018

Revisiting the iron abundance in the hyper iron-poor star HE$~$1327-2326 with UV COS/$HST$ data

We present a new iron abundance analysis of the hyper metal-poor star HE$~$1327-2326, based on Fe II lines detected in its UV spectral range for the first time. In a Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) spectrum, five new Fe II lines could be measured. A Si I line was also detected for the first time. We determine a 1D Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium (LTE) Fe II abundance of [Fe II/H] = -5.99$\pm$0.25. We also investigate departures from LTE for both Fe I and Fe II lines. Guided by 3D Non-LTE (NLTE) analyses of other well-studied metal-poor stars, we identify potential "residual" 3D effects in HE$~$1327-2326 arising from the absence of full 3D NLTE Fe calculations. Accordingly, we employ measurements of 10 weak Fe I lines previously detected in an optical spectrum of HE$~$1327-2326, as no Fe I lines are detectable in our UV spectrum. Following our previous work, we adopt the 1D NLTE Fe I abundance of [Fe/H] = -5.20$\pm$0.12 for HE$~$1327-2326. Adopting a value based on the optical Fe I rather than UV lines was heavily informed by our extensive investigation of model atmosphere and radiative transfer effects on different lines accross the entire UV-optical wavelength range. An iron abundance of [Fe/H] = -5.20$\pm$0.12 is only 0.2 dex higher than what was used in previous studies. Accordingly, no previous conclusions regarding the nature of the star are affected.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2018

The R-Process Alliance: Chemical Abundances for a Trio of R-Process-Enhanced Stars -- One Strong, One Moderate, One Mild

We present detailed chemical abundances of three new bright (V ~ 11), extremely metal-poor ([Fe/H] ~ -3.0), r-process-enhanced halo red giants based on high-resolution, high-S/N Magellan/MIKE spectra. We measured abundances for 20-25 neutron-capture elements in each of our stars. J1432-4125 is among the most r-process rich r-II stars, with [Eu/Fe]= +1.44+-0.11. J2005-3057 is an r-I star with [Eu/Fe] = +0.94+-0.07. J0858-0809 has [Eu/Fe] = +0.23+-0.05 and exhibits a carbon abundance corrected for evolutionary status of [C/Fe]_corr = +0.76, thus adding to the small number of known carbon-enhanced r-process stars. All three stars show remarkable agreement with the scaled solar r-process pattern for elements above Ba, consistent with enrichment of the birth gas cloud by a neutron star merger. The abundances for Sr, Y, and Zr, however, deviate from the scaled solar pattern. This indicates that more than one distinct r-process site might be responsible for the observed neutron-capture element abundance pattern. Thorium was detected in J1432-4125 and J2005-3057. Age estimates for J1432-4125 and J2005-3057 were adopted from one of two sets of initial production ratios each by assuming the stars are old. This yielded individual ages of 12+-6 Gyr and 10+-6 Gyr, respectively.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2018

The R-Process Alliance: Discovery of the first metal-poor star with a combined r- and s-process element signature

We present a high-resolution (R~35,000), high signal-to-noise (S/N>200) Magellan/MIKE spectrum of the star RAVE J094921.8-161722, a bright (V=11.3) metal-poor red giant star with [Fe/H] = -2.2, identified as a carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) star from the RAVE survey. We report its detailed chemical abundance signature of light fusion elements and heavy neutron-capture elements. We find J0949-1617 to be a CEMP star with s-process enhancement that must have formed from gas enriched by a prior r-process event. Light neutron-capture elements follow a low-metallicity s-process pattern, while the heavier neutron-capture elements above Eu follow an r-process pattern. The Pb abundance is high, in line with an s-process origin. Thorium is also detected, as expected from an r-process origin, as Th is not produced in the s-process. We employ nucleosynthesis model predictions that take an initial r-process enhancement into account, and then determine the mass transfer of carbon and s-process material from a putative more massive companion onto the observed star. The resulting abundances agree well with the observed pattern. We conclude that J0949-1617 is the first bonafide CEMP-r+s star identified. This class of objects has previously been suggested to explain stars with neutron-capture element patterns that originate from neither the r- or s-process alone. We speculate that J0949-1617 formed in an environment similar to those of ultra-faint dwarf galaxies like Tucana III and Reticulum II, which were enriched in r-process elements by one or multiple neutron star mergers at the earliest times.a

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arXiv2017

Ultra metal-poor stars: Spectroscopic determination of stellar atmospheric parameters using iron Non-LTE line abundances

We present new ultra-metal-poor (UMP) stars parameters with [Fe/H]<-4.0 based on line-by-line non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) abundances using an up-to-date iron model atom with a new recipe for non-elastic hydrogen collision rates. We study the departures from LTE in their atmospheric parameter and show that they can grow up to ~1.0 dex in [Fe/H], 150K in Teff and 0.5 dex in log g toward the lowest metallicities. Accurate NLTE atmospheric stellar parameters, in particular [Fe/H] being signifcantly higher, are the first step to eventually providing full NLTE abundance patterns that can be compared with Population III supernova nucleosynthesis yields to derive properties of the first stars. Overall, this maximizes the potential of these likely second-generation stars to investigate the early universe and how the chemical elements were formed.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2017

RAVE J203843.2-002333: The first highly r-process-enhanced star identified in the RAVE survey

We report the discovery of RAVE J203843.2-002333, a bright (V = 12.73), very metal-poor ([Fe/H] = -2.91), r-process-enhanced ([Eu/Fe] = +1.64 and [Ba/Eu] = -0.81) star selected from the RAVE survey. This star was identified as a metal-poor candidate based on its medium-resolution (R ~ 1,600) spectrum obtained with the KPNO/Mayall Telescope, and followed-up with high-resolution (R ~ 66,000) spectroscopy with the Magellan/Clay Telescope, allowing for the determination of elemental abundances for 24 neutron-capture elements, including thorium and uranium. RAVE J2038-0023 is only the fourth metal-poor star with a clearly measured U abundance. The derived chemical-abundance pattern exhibits good agreement with those of other known highly r-process-enhanced stars, and evidence in hand suggests that it is not an actinide-boost star. Age estimates were calculated using Th/X and U/X abundance ratios, yielding a mean age of 13.0 +/- 1.1 Gyr.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2016

Chemical Diversity in the Ultra-faint Dwarf Galaxy Tucana II

We present the first detailed chemical abundance study of the ultra-faint dwarf galaxy Tucana II based on high-resolution Magellan/MIKE spectra of four red giant stars. The metallicity of these stars ranges from [Fe/H] = -3.2 to -2.6, and all stars are low in neutron-capture abundances ([Sr/Fe] and [Ba/Fe] < -1). However, a number of anomalous chemical signatures are present. Three stars are carbon-enhanced, including the most metal-rich star. This star ([Fe/H]=-2.6) shows [Na,$α$,Sc/Fe] < 0, suggesting an extended star formation history with contributions from AGB stars and Type Ia supernovae. The other carbon-enhanced stars have [Fe/H] < -3 and may be consistent with enrichment by faint supernovae, if such supernovae can produce neutron-capture elements. A fourth star with [Fe/H] = -3 is carbon-normal, and exhibits distinct light element abundance ratios from the carbon-enhanced stars. The carbon-normal star implies that at least two distinct nucleosynthesis sources, both possibly associated with Population III stars, contributed to the early chemical enrichment of this galaxy. Despite its very low luminosity, Tucana II shows a diversity of chemical signatures that preclude it from being a simple "one-shot" first galaxy, but still provide a window to star and galaxy formation in the early universe.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2015

Non-LTE iron abundances in cool stars: The role of hydrogen collisions

In the aim of determining accurate iron abundances in stars, this work is meant to empirically calibrate H-collision cross-sections with iron, where no quantum mechanical calculations have been published yet. Thus, a new iron model atom has been developed, which includes hydrogen collisions for excitation, ionization and charge transfer processes. We show that collisions with hydrogen leading to charge transfer are important for an accurate non-LTE modeling. We apply our calculations on several benchmark stars including the Sun, the metal-rich star α Cen A and the metal-poor star HD140283.

astro-ph.SR↗