The R-Process Alliance: Discovery of a Low-α, r-process-enhanced Metal-poor Star in the Galactic Halo

Abstract

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, α, and Fe-peak element. The low [α/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. Show more