High resolution spectroscopy of the relatively hydrogen-poor metal rich giants in the globular cluster Omega Centauri

Abstract

High-resolution optical spectra are analyzed for two of the four metal rich mildly hydrogen-poor or helium-enhanced giants discovered by Hema and Pandey (2014) along with their comparison normal (hydrogen-rich) giants of Omega Cen. The strengths of the MgH bands in the spectra of the program stars are analyzed for their derived stellar parameters. The observed spectra of the sample (hydrogen-poor) stars (LEID 39048 and LEID 34225) show weaker MgH bands unlike in the spectra of the normal comparison giants (LEID 61067 and LEID 32169). The magnesium abundance derived from MgH bands is less by 0.3 dex or more for LEID 39048 and LEID 34225, than that derived from Mg I lines. This difference, cannot be reconciled by making the changes to the stellar parameters within the uncertainties. This difference in the magnesium abundances derived from Mg I lines and from the MgH band is unacceptable. This difference is attributed to the hydrogen-deficiency or helium-enhancement in their atmospheres. These metal rich hydrogen-poor or helium-rich giants provide an important link to the evolution of the metal-rich sub population of Omega Cen. These stars provide the first direct spectroscopic evidence for the presence of the He-enhancement in the metal rich giants of Omega Cen.

arXiv comment49 pages, 13 Figures, Accepted for Publication in the Astophysical Journal

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Cited by in corpus (5)

• Titans metal-poor reference stars II. Red giants and CEMP stars
• Helium Enhancement in the Metal Rich Red Giants of Omega Centauri
• Omega Centauri: weak MgH-band in red giants directly trace the helium content
• Helium Abundance of the Sun: A Spectroscopic Analysis
• Investigation of the Helium Enhancement in a Super Lithium Rich Giant HD 77361