The Extremely Metal‐poor, Neutron Capture–rich Star CS 22892‐052: A Comprehensive Abundance Analysis

Abstract

High-resolution spectra obtained with three ground-based facilities and the Hubble Space Telescope ( HST ) have been combined to produce a new abundance analysis of CS 22892-052, an extremely metal-poor giant with large relative enhancements of neutron capture elements. A revised model stellar atmosphere has been derived with the aid of a large number of Fe peak transitions, including both neutral and ionized species of six elements. Several elements, including Mo, Lu, Au, Pt, and Pb, have been detected for the first time in CS 22892-052, and significant upper limits have been placed on the abundances of Ga, Ge, Cd, Sn, and U in this star. In total, abundance measurements or upper limits have been determined for 57 elements, far more than previously possible. New Be and Li detections in CS 22892-052 indicate that the abundances of both these elements are significantly depleted compared to unevolved main-sequence turnoff stars of similar metallicity. Abundance comparisons show an excellent agreement between the heaviest n -capture elements ( Z ≥ 56) and scaled solar system r -process abundances, confirming earlier results for CS 22892-052 and other metal-poor stars. New theoretical r -process calculations also show good agreement with CS 22892-052 abundances and the solar r -process abundance components. The abundances of lighter elements (40 ≤ Z ≤ 50), however, deviate from the same scaled abundance curves that match the heavier elements, suggesting different synthesis conditions or sites for the low-mass and high-mass ends of the abundance distribution. The detection of Th and the upper limit on the U abundance together imply a lower limit of 10.4 Gyr on the age of CS 22892-052, quite consistent with the Th/Eu age estimate of 12.8± ≃ 3 Gyr. An average of several chronometric ratios yields an age 14.2± ≃ 3 Gyr.