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Metal abundances of RR Lyrae stars in globular clusters

Journal Article · · Astrophys. J.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/160368· OSTI ID:6792494

The spectroscopic metallicity index ..delta..S has been determined for RR Lyrae stars in the globular clusters NGC 362, NGC 4833, NGC 5634, IC 4499, NGC 5897, NGC 5904, NGC 6171, NGC 6205, NGC 6284, NGC 6362, NGC 6402, NGC 6681, and NGC 6981. These determinations, together with previous measures of ..delta..S for globular cluster stars, provide (Fe/H) values for 22 globular clusters. These (Fe/H) values argue strongly against a simple rescaling of globular cluster metal abundances to meet the very low iron abundances which have recently been found for M71 and 47 Tuc from high dispersion spectroscopy. At the same time, published globular cluster chemical abundances which are derived from high dispersion spectroscopy are consistent with the contention that ..delta..S can be used to predict (Fe/H) along with (Ca/H).

Research Organization:
Mount Wilson and Las Campanas Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington
OSTI ID:
6792494
Journal Information:
Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 261:2; ISSN ASJOA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English