Revisiting two local constraints of the Galactic chemical evolution

Abstract

I review the uncertainties in two observational constraints of the Galactic disc chemical evolution: the metallicity distribution (MD) of long-lived dwarfs and the age-metallicity relation (AMR). It is shown first that the observed MD, designed with standard methods, is more fit to a closed-box model than to the infall MD. We argue that this is due to the specific contribution of the thick disc population, which has been overlooked both in the derivation of the observed MD and in the standard chemical evolution models. Although this agreement disqualifies the MD as the best supportive evidence for infall, we argue that the evolution must be more complex than described by either the closed-box or the standard infall models. A new age-metallicity distribution is obtained, where particularities of the previous recent determinations are phased out. The new AMR shows a mean increase limited to about a factor of 2 in Z over the disc age. It is shown that below 3 Gyrs, the dispersion in metallicity is about 0.1 dex, which, (given the observational uncertainties), is compatible with the small cosmic dispersion measured on the interstellar medium and meteoritic pre-solar dust grains. A population that is progressively older and more metal rich arises at a metallicity greater than that of the Hyades, to reach [Fe/H] ~ +0.5 dex at ages > 5 Gyr. We suggest that this is best explained by radial migration. A symmetrical widening towards lower metallicities is seen at about the same age. Finally, the new derived ages are sufficiently consistent that an AMR within the thick disc is confirmed. These new features altogether draw a picture of the chemical evolution where dynamical effects and complexity in the AMR dominate, rather than a generalized high dispersion at all ages. (abridged)

arXiv comment19 pages, 13 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS

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