Showing 1–50 of 246 results for author: Chiappini, C

Phosphorous in the moderately metal-poor bulge globular clusters NGC 6539 and NGC 6569

Authors: Morgan S. Camargo, Beatriz Barbuy, Heitor Ernandes, Amâncio C. S. Friaça, Cristina Chiappini, Bernardo P. L. Ferreira, Stefano O. Souza, Sergio Ortolani, Domenico Nardiello, Eduardo Bica, José G. Fernández-Trincado, Nicolas Barrera, Doug Geisler

Abstract: The distinct stellar populations of the Galactic bulge can be disentangled through detailed analysis of their chemical abundances and kinematical properties. Recent studies have suggested that globular clusters located in the Galactic bulge with metallicities around $\rm [Fe/H] \approx -0.7$, may represent some of the oldest systems in the Milky Way, potentially tracing the early spheroidal bulge.… ▽ More The distinct stellar populations of the Galactic bulge can be disentangled through detailed analysis of their chemical abundances and kinematical properties. Recent studies have suggested that globular clusters located in the Galactic bulge with metallicities around $\rm [Fe/H] \approx -0.7$, may represent some of the oldest systems in the Milky Way, potentially tracing the early spheroidal bulge. The coincidence of a metallicity peak at $\rm [Fe/H] \approx -0.7$ in both field stars and globular clusters, together with the presence of phosphorus-rich (P-rich) stars, may provide important clues to the nature of the first generations of stars formed in the Galaxy. In this work, we investigate the odd-Z elements Na, Al and particularly P in the bulge globular clusters NGC~6539 ($\rm[Fe/H] \sim -0.75$) and NGC~6569 ($\rm [Fe/H] \sim -0.85$) using APOGEE spectra. We also examine the clusters Tonantzintla-1 and NGC~6316, which exhibit evidence of phosphorus enhancement. Our analysis confirms that NGC~6539 is a cluster of interest, with one clearly P-rich star, whereas NGC~6569 shows a lower level of P-enhancement. This again suggests that there might have been an early bulge building block with the metallicity of $\rm[Fe/H] \sim-0.75$, of which NGC~6539 would be part of. The observed abundance patterns indicate that the production of Na and Al is consistent with nucleosynthesis in massive stars. However, the origin of the phosphorus enrichment remains uncertain, suggesting that additional nucleosynthetic channels may be required to explain the observed abundances. These findings provide new constraints on the chemical evolution of the Galactic bulge and the nature of its earliest stellar populations. △ Less

Submitted 4 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 28 pages, 8 figures

SMUGGLE-Ring: Evolutionary link between nuclear star cluster and nuclear disk

Authors: SungWon Kwak, Mathias Schultheis, Ivan Minchev, Cristina Chiappini, Woong-Tae Kim, Seungwon Baek, Federico Marinacci, Mark Vogelsberger, Laura V. Sales, Hui Li, Matthias Steinmetz

Abstract: We present a high-resolution hydrodynamical simulation of the formation and evolution of nuclear structures in a Milky Way-mass galaxy using the SMUGGLE multiphase ISM and stellar feedback model. The system naturally develops a bar of length $\approx5$ kpc in isolation, driving sustained gas inflows toward the center that lead to the formation of a nuclear stellar disk (NSD) and a nuclear star clu… ▽ More We present a high-resolution hydrodynamical simulation of the formation and evolution of nuclear structures in a Milky Way-mass galaxy using the SMUGGLE multiphase ISM and stellar feedback model. The system naturally develops a bar of length $\approx5$ kpc in isolation, driving sustained gas inflows toward the center that lead to the formation of a nuclear stellar disk (NSD) and a nuclear star cluster (NSC). By considering only stars born after bar formation, we cleanly isolate the nuclear structures and recover a clear inside-out growth of the NSD. Consistent with observational studies, we find that stellar feedback induces repeated shocks that regulate the size of the nuclear gas disk and drive gas from its outer edge toward the NSC region. Over time, the NSD and NSC share similar mass growth and star formation histories, except during accretion of a massive star cluster with mass $\approx 3\times 10^{7}\Msun$, comparable to the most massive cluster observed near the NSC of NGC 4654. Our results suggest that both the evolutionary timescale of the bar (and thus of the NSD) and the accretion history of star clusters are essential for obtaining tighter scaling relations among nuclear structures and their host galaxies. Finally, our results favor a lower bulge mass for the Milky Way than in our model ($B/D\approx 0.045$) to explain the compact size of its nuclear disk. △ Less

Submitted 2 August, 2026; v1 submitted 3 June, 2026; originally announced June 2026.

Comments: 10 pages, 8 figures, Accepted for publication in A&A Letter

Report number: AA61268-26

TwinSpecNet: Extending APOGEE's chemical reach to low-S/N spectra via empirical paired learning

Authors: Weijia Sun, Cristina Chiappini, Samir Nepal

Abstract: Large spectroscopic surveys rely on automated pipelines to deliver homogeneous stellar labels, but a substantial fraction of observations are at low signal-to-noise ratio (S/N), where label estimates become imprecise or are omitted. In APOGEE, these low-S/N spectra visits sample faint and distant populations -- the bulge, outer halo, and satellite systems -- yet still encode recoverable chemical i… ▽ More Large spectroscopic surveys rely on automated pipelines to deliver homogeneous stellar labels, but a substantial fraction of observations are at low signal-to-noise ratio (S/N), where label estimates become imprecise or are omitted. In APOGEE, these low-S/N spectra visits sample faint and distant populations -- the bulge, outer halo, and satellite systems -- yet still encode recoverable chemical information. We present TwinSpecNet (TSN), a paired-learning framework that exploits APOGEE's multi-visit observing strategy: by training on empirical low-/high-S/N spectral twins of the same stars, TSN learns to suppress stochastic noise while preserving the ASPCAP label scale. TSN employs a Vision Transformer encoder with dual objectives: reconstructing high-S/N flux from low-S/N visits and predicting stellar parameters and abundances with calibrated uncertainties. TSN reduces label scatter relative to visit-level ASPCAP for S/N<60 visits. TSN reproduces the ASPCAP scale with residual scatters of $σ$< 19 K in $T_{\mathrm{eff}}$, $σ\sim$0.06 dex in $\log g$, and $σ\sim$0.03 dex in Fe/H. TSN tightens intra-cluster abundance dispersions, recovers cleaner chemical sequences in inner-disk and bulge and satellite samples, and improves C/N-based age precision for APOKASC giants from 1.70 to 1.59 Gyr. By learning survey-specific noise patterns from repeated observations, TSN demonstrates how empirical paired learning can extend the chemical reach of existing spectroscopic data, providing a template applicable to other multi-visit surveys. △ Less

Submitted 29 April, 2026; originally announced April 2026.

Comments: 16 pages (3 pages appendix), 10 figures, accepted for publication in A&A

The PLATO Science Calibration and Validation Plan: Targets for the First Long-pointing Field

Authors: Konstanze Zwintz, Conny Aerts, Andrew Tkachenko, Juan Cabrera, Orlagh Creevey, Rene Heller, Nicholas Jannsen, Chen Jiang, Oleg Kochukhov, Antonino Francesco Lanza, Pierre F. L. Maxted, Sergio Messina, Andrea Miglio, Thierry Morel, Benoiıt Mosser, Rhita Ouazzani, John Southworth, Matthias Ammler van-Eiff, Jeroen Audenaert, Paul G. Beck, Kevin Belkacem, Aaron Birch, Diego Bossini, Angela Bragaglia, Lorenzo Briganti , et al. (34 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: In order to meet the science goals of the PLATO space mission, an extensive science calibration and validation plan has been designed. This paper describes this plan, as well as the methodology adopted to select the science calibration and validation stars that have entered its input catalogue. This is the so-called {\tt scvPIC}, which is part of the general PLATO Input Catalogue (PIC) for the fir… ▽ More In order to meet the science goals of the PLATO space mission, an extensive science calibration and validation plan has been designed. This paper describes this plan, as well as the methodology adopted to select the science calibration and validation stars that have entered its input catalogue. This is the so-called {\tt scvPIC}, which is part of the general PLATO Input Catalogue (PIC) for the first selected long pointing field in the Southern Hemisphere known as LOPS2. While many of PLATO's science requirements needed dedicated stars as calibrators as discussed here, its most stringent requirement is the delivery of the age of the host stars of exoplanetary systems with an accuracy better than 10\% for a G0V star of {\it V} = 10 mag, i.e. a nearby Sun-like star. This is presently not within reach for large populations of dwarfs and subgiants in the Milky Way as it requires the models of their stellar interiors to be improved. We discuss how this ambitious age requirement led to the selection of tens of thousands of red giants, and of thousands of main-sequence early F-type gravity-mode pulsators in order to deduce their internal rotation profile across stellar evolution. This asteroseismic observable will then be imported as key information into improved models of dwarfs and subgiants in the Milky Way as optimal modelling tools for ever better age-dating of the exoplanet hosts as the PLATO mission moves along. Additional calibrators and validators included in the {\tt scvPIC} are a few thousands of binaries, a few hundreds of legacy and benchmark stars, a few hundred photometrically stable stars, and six transiting brown dwarfs. △ Less

Submitted 5 April, 2026; originally announced April 2026.

Comments: Manuscript of 67 pages, 14 figures, 3 tables; submitted to Experimental Astronomy

The SMUGGLE-Ring project: Bar and bulge effects on nuclear disk and ring formation

Authors: SungWon Kwak, Federico Marinacci, Matthias Steinmetz, Ivan Minchev, Cristina Chiappini, Mathias Schultheis, Woong-Tae Kim, Mark Vogelsberger, Laura V. Sales, Hui Li, Seungwon Baek

Abstract: We present the first results from the SMUGGLE-Ring project, a suite of simulations employing the SMUGGLE ISM and stellar feedback model to explore nuclear structures in Milky Way-mass galaxies. We discuss results from three simulations evolved for 5 Gyr in isolation, in which we vary the classical bulge mass, while keeping the disk and halo structures identical. Nuclear stellar disks and rings eme… ▽ More We present the first results from the SMUGGLE-Ring project, a suite of simulations employing the SMUGGLE ISM and stellar feedback model to explore nuclear structures in Milky Way-mass galaxies. We discuss results from three simulations evolved for 5 Gyr in isolation, in which we vary the classical bulge mass, while keeping the disk and halo structures identical. Nuclear stellar disks and rings emerge exclusively in our bulge models, with more massive bulges associated with earlier formation and more extended initial gas reservoirs shortly after bar formation. After gas depletion via active star formation, the nuclear stellar disks bifurcate into pressure-supported nuclear star clusters (NSCs, $v_φ/σ_R < 0.7$) and rotationally supported nuclear stellar rings (NSRs, $v_φ/σ_R = 1.2$--1.7, radii 0.64--0.76 kpc). The bulgeless model fails to build up and sustain stable nuclear gas disks against feedback disruptions. The enclosed stellar mass of NSCs ($\sim10^{9}\Msun$) dominates over that of NSRs ($\sim10^{8}\Msun$). The star formation rates decline over time due to gas depletion (NSCs 0.1--1 $\Msun$/yr, NSRs 0.01--$0.1 \Msun$/yr). Kinematics reveal outward-shifting rotation peaks with $σ$-drops in NSRs, while a fraction of stars in NSCs exhibits radial shift after 3 Gyr. These findings support inside-out NSD formation via secular bar evolution, with NSRs tracing the star-forming outer edge of the nuclear gas disk and NSCs forming the kinematically hotter inner component. The range of nuclear stellar disk sizes (0.25--0.76 kpc) falls within the observationally inferred ranges, but the existence of larger rings would require external gas flow and/or a longer period of evolution. Future SMUGGLE-Ring extensions will incorporate varying gas fractions, tidal/merger effects, and the circumgalactic medium to further elucidate nuclear diversity and outliers. △ Less

Submitted 18 May, 2026; v1 submitted 12 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

Comments: 21 pages, 17 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A

Report number: aa59829-26

Journal ref: A&A, 711, A295 (2026)

Chemical radial gradients for the bulge-bar stellar populations from the APOGEE survey

Authors: J. V. Sales-Silva, K. Cunha, V. V. Smith, S. Daflon, D. Souto, R. Guerço, V. Loaiza-Tacuri, A. Queiroz, C. Chiappini, I. Minchev, S. R. Majewski, B. Barbuy, D. Bizyaev, J. G. Fernández-Trincado, P. M. Frinchaboy, S. Hasselquist, D. Horta, H. Jönsson, T. Masseron, N. Prantzos, R. P. Schiavon, M. Schultheis, M. Zoccali

Abstract: The Milky Way bulge-bar is composed of multiple populations. Using chemical and kinematical planes, we segregate six populations in a bulge-bar sample observed by the APOGEE survey: two with bar-driven orbits, two with eccentric orbits, and two with low-eccentricity orbits, each composed of low- and high-[Mg/Fe] stars. Our sample spans $-2.0\lesssim$[Fe/H]$\lesssim+0.5$ and Galactocentric distance… ▽ More The Milky Way bulge-bar is composed of multiple populations. Using chemical and kinematical planes, we segregate six populations in a bulge-bar sample observed by the APOGEE survey: two with bar-driven orbits, two with eccentric orbits, and two with low-eccentricity orbits, each composed of low- and high-[Mg/Fe] stars. Our sample spans $-2.0\lesssim$[Fe/H]$\lesssim+0.5$ and Galactocentric distance $R_{Gal}$ $<6$ kpc. We use chemical abundances from APOGEE DR17 for the elements Mg, Si, Ca, Al, K, Mn, Co, Ni, and Fe, and from the BAWLAS catalog for Ce and Nd. We find that the low- and high-[Mg/Fe] stars with low-eccentricity orbits, which exhibit chemical and orbital characteristics similar to those of the low- and high-[$α$/Fe] disks, display slightly negative and positive metallicity gradients, respectively. This result for the low-[Mg/Fe] low-eccentricity stars indicates a break in the global thin disk metallicity gradient. The high eccentricity populations with both low- and high-[Mg/Fe] show approximately flat metallicity gradients. In general, the [X/H] gradients of all elements for all populations follow Fe, except for the neutron-capture elements Ce and Nd. For all elements, the high-[Mg/Fe] bar population shows a much steeper positive [X/H] gradient than the nearly flat gradient for the low-[Mg/Fe] bar stars. The positive [X/H] gradients observed among our high-[Mg/Fe] bar stars probably reflect an age variation along the peanut structure. This interpretation agrees with the N-body simulations. Such steep positive gradients have also been reported in some high-redshift (z$\sim$4--10) galaxies. △ Less

Submitted 12 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

Comments: 26 pages, 13 figures, 2 tables; accepted for publication in ApJ

Abundances in 78 metal-rich bulge spheroid stars from APOGEE

Authors: H. Ernandes, B. Barbuy, C. Chiappini, S. Feltzing, A. Pérez-Villegas, A. C. S. Friaça, S. O. Souza, R. P. Nunes, A. B. A. Queiroz, J. G. Fernández-Trincado, A. L. Rocha de Abreu, A. Plotnikova

Abstract: The inner Galaxy is the most complex region of the Milky Way, comprising the bulge, inner thin and thick discs, and inner halo; the formation of the bar transferred gas and stars from the disc inward. Accretion of dwarf galaxies also occurred over the Galaxy's lifetime, merging with the original bulge. In this work, we constrain the metal-rich stars of the earliest spheroidal bulge. To study the o… ▽ More The inner Galaxy is the most complex region of the Milky Way, comprising the bulge, inner thin and thick discs, and inner halo; the formation of the bar transferred gas and stars from the disc inward. Accretion of dwarf galaxies also occurred over the Galaxy's lifetime, merging with the original bulge. In this work, we constrain the metal-rich stars of the earliest spheroidal bulge. To study the oldest bulge stars, distributed in a spheroid, we applied kinematical and dynamical criteria in the metal-rich range [Fe/H] > -0.8. This complements our previous analysis of a symmetric sample with [Fe/H] < -0.8. We derived individual abundances through spectral synthesis for C, N, O, Al, P, S, K, Mn, and Ce using stellar parameters from APOGEE DR17, and compared the results with literature data and chemical-evolution models. The alpha elements Mg, Si, and Ca, and iron-peak elements V, Cr, Co, and Ni follow the expected trends relative to the models. Mn shows secondary behaviour. S and K display significant star-to-star scatter but remain broadly compatible with predictions. Phosphorus and cerium show an excess around [Fe/H] $\sim$ -0.7, more pronounced than in the metal-poor sample, suggesting a distinctive signature of the earliest bulge population. Diagrams of [Mg/Mn] versus [Al/Fe] and [Ni/Fe] versus [(C+N)/O] indicate an in situ origin for most stars. At super-solar metallicities, a subset shows enhanced K and Mn (possibly S) with low [Ce/Fe], hinting at enrichment linked to the nuclear disc and bar, and tracing a chemically distinct population shaped by the innermost Galaxy. △ Less

Submitted 12 February, 2026; originally announced February 2026.

Asteroseismic ages for 17,000 stars in Kepler, K2 and TESS

Authors: Emma Willett, Andrea Miglio, Saniya Khan, Yvonne Elsworth, Benoît Mosser, Karsten Brogaard, Giada Casali, Cristina Chiappini, Valeria Grisoni, Amalie Stokholm, Diego Bossini, William J. Chaplin

Abstract: The availability of asteroseismic constraints for tens of thousands of red giant (RG) stars has opened the door to robust age estimates, enabling time-resolved studies of different populations of stars in the Milky Way. This study leverages data from Kepler, K2, and TESS, in conjunction with astrometric data from Gaia DR3 and spectroscopic constraints from APOGEE DR17 and GALAH DR3, to infer param… ▽ More The availability of asteroseismic constraints for tens of thousands of red giant (RG) stars has opened the door to robust age estimates, enabling time-resolved studies of different populations of stars in the Milky Way. This study leverages data from Kepler, K2, and TESS, in conjunction with astrometric data from Gaia DR3 and spectroscopic constraints from APOGEE DR17 and GALAH DR3, to infer parameters for over 17,000 RGs. We use the code PARAM to homogeneously infer stellar properties considering in detail the sensitivity of our results to different choices of observational constraints. We focus on age estimation, identifying potentially unreliable age determinations, and highlight stars with unreliable $Δν$ measurements based on comparisons using Gaia luminosities. These are particularly relevant in K2 data due to the short duration of the observations of each campaign, and therefore important to characterise for Galactic archaeology studies where the spatial range of K2 is a benefit. Thanks to the combination of data from different missions we explore trends in age, mass, and orbital parameters such as $R_\mathrm{g}$ and $Z_\mathrm{max}$, and examine time-resolved [$α$/M]-[Fe/H] planes across different Galactic regions. Additionally, we compare age distributions in low- and high-$α$ populations and chemically selected ex situ stars. The study also extends known mass-[C/N] ratio relationships to lower masses. The catalogues resulting from this work will be instrumental in addressing key questions in Galactic archaeology and stellar evolution, and to improve training sets for machine-learning-based age estimations. △ Less

Submitted 28 May, 2026; v1 submitted 6 February, 2026; originally announced February 2026.

Comments: 21 pages, 27 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS. Catalogues available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18417071

Ancient relic moderately metal-rich bulge cluster Tonantzintla 2

Authors: Sergio Ortolani, Stefano O. Souza, Domenico Nardiello, Beatriz Barbuy, Eduardo Bica, Bernardo P. L. Ferreira, Cristina Chiappini, José Fernandez-Trincado, Heitor Ernandes

Abstract: The assembly history of the Galactic bulge is intimately tied to the formation of the proto-Milky Way, yet reconstructing this early phase is difficult because mergers and secular evolution have erased most of its original structure. Among present-day stellar systems, only globular clusters retain the ancient signatures needed to trace these primordial building blocks. Here we present the most det… ▽ More The assembly history of the Galactic bulge is intimately tied to the formation of the proto-Milky Way, yet reconstructing this early phase is difficult because mergers and secular evolution have erased most of its original structure. Among present-day stellar systems, only globular clusters retain the ancient signatures needed to trace these primordial building blocks. Here we present the most detailed characterization to date of Tonantzintla 2, a prime candidate for a relic of the Milky Way's primordial bulge. It is a moderately metal-rich globular cluster projected onto the bulge that has remained largely unexplored despite its potential to constrain the early formation of the inner Milky Way. We derive its fundamental parameters using proper motion-corrected Hubble Space Telescope WFC3 and ACS photometry. By applying an isochrone fitting to very clean data, we obtain an age of 13.58 Gyr, a reddening E(B-V) = 1.44, a metallicity [M/H]=-0.68, and a heliocentric distance of d = 7.38 kpc. A complementary chemical-abundance analysis of seven member stars from APOGEE high-resolution spectroscopy reveals an enrichment pattern consistent with an in-situ origin. Tonantzintla 2 is among the oldest globular clusters studied in the literature, and the oldest so far analyzed in the Galactic bulge. Its age places a stringent constraint on the onset of the bulge formation, implying that star formation in the inner Galaxy began within ~0.2 Gyr of the Big Bang and that Tonantzintla 2 represents an exceptional relic of the Milky Way's earliest chemical enrichment. △ Less

Submitted 26 January, 2026; originally announced January 2026.

Comments: The Astrophysical Journal Letters, in press, 5 figures

Large-scale time-series spectroscopy for stellar ages

Authors: David Gruner, Sydney A. Barnes, Ansgar Reiners, Klaus G. Strassmeier, Cristina Chiappini, Jörg Weingrill, Michael Weber, Ilya Ilyin, Thomas Granzer, Özgün Adebali, Jean-Michel Désert, Marica Valentini, Dario Fritzewski, Paolo Ventura, Alfio Bonanno, Jose-Dias do Nascimento, Jorge Melendez, Santosh Joshi, Yong-Cheol Kim

Abstract: To date, Galactic Astronomy has largely concerned itself with astrophysical processes, and with the locations, space motions and compositions of objects. Consider, for example, the elucidation of the components of the Galaxy over the past decades, its mapping as enabled by Gaia and its predecessors, the photometric and spectroscopic characterization of innumerable astrophysical objects in various… ▽ More To date, Galactic Astronomy has largely concerned itself with astrophysical processes, and with the locations, space motions and compositions of objects. Consider, for example, the elucidation of the components of the Galaxy over the past decades, its mapping as enabled by Gaia and its predecessors, the photometric and spectroscopic characterization of innumerable astrophysical objects in various wavelength ranges, both from the ground and from space, and the expanding discovery and characterization of exoplanets; all focused on the current, static Galaxy. This White Paper proposes a dedicated program to derive stellar ages from time-series spectroscopy to hasten the transformation of this static conception into a dynamical one with age-labeled objects and events. △ Less

Submitted 15 January, 2026; originally announced January 2026.

Comments: White Paper submitted to ESO for the "Expanding Horizons: Transforming Astronomy in the 2040s" Call

Why the Northern Hemisphere Needs a 30-40 m Telescope and the Science at Stake: Resolved Stellar Populations Studies in M31 and its Satellites

Authors: C. Gallart, E. Fernández-Alvar, A. B. A. Queiroz, A. Aparicio, B. Anguiano, G. Battaglia, M. Beasley, T. Bensby, G. Bono, V. Braga, L. Carigi, L. Casamiquela, S. Cassisi, C. Chiappini, V. P. Debattista, A. del Pino, I. Escala, A. M. N. Ferguson, G. Fiorentino, K. M. Gilbert, P. Guhathakurta, R. Ibata, E. N. Kirby, K. Kuijken, S. Larsen , et al. (26 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: A 30 m class optical/near-IR telescope in the Northern Hemisphere, equipped for diffraction-limited imaging and high-resolution, multi-object spectroscopy of faint stars, would enable a transformational investigation of the formation and evolution of M31 and its satellite system - on par with what Gaia, the HST, and other major photometric and spectroscopic facilities have achieved for the Milky W… ▽ More A 30 m class optical/near-IR telescope in the Northern Hemisphere, equipped for diffraction-limited imaging and high-resolution, multi-object spectroscopy of faint stars, would enable a transformational investigation of the formation and evolution of M31 and its satellite system - on par with what Gaia, the HST, and other major photometric and spectroscopic facilities have achieved for the Milky Way (MW) and its satellites. The unprecedented detail obtained for our home system has reshaped our understanding of the assembly of the MW disk, halo, and bulge, and that of its satellites, which now serve as a benchmark for galaxy formation and evolution models. Extending this level of insight to the M31 system - that of the nearest massive spiral and the only one for which such a comprehensive, resolved stellar population study is feasible - will allow us to address a fundamental question: how representative is the MW and its satellite system within the broader context of galaxy evolution? △ Less

Submitted 16 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: White Paper submitted to "ESO Expanding Horizons: Transforming Astronomy in the 2040s"

The oldest Milky Way stars: New constraints on the age of the Universe and the Hubble constant

Authors: Elena Tomasetti, Cristina Chiappini, Samir Nepal, Michele Moresco, Carmela Lardo, Andrea Cimatti, Friedrich Anders, Anna B. A. Queiroz, Guilherme Limberg

Abstract: We exploit the most robust, old, and cosmology-independent age estimates of individual stars from Gaia DR3 to place a lower bound on the age of the Universe, $t_U$. These constraints can serve as an anchor point for any cosmological model, providing an upper limit to the Hubble constant $H_0$. We consider the stellar age catalog of arXiv:2402.00561, selecting 3,000 of the oldest and most robustly… ▽ More We exploit the most robust, old, and cosmology-independent age estimates of individual stars from Gaia DR3 to place a lower bound on the age of the Universe, $t_U$. These constraints can serve as an anchor point for any cosmological model, providing an upper limit to the Hubble constant $H_0$. We consider the stellar age catalog of arXiv:2402.00561, selecting 3,000 of the oldest and most robustly measured main sequence turn-off (MSTO) and subgiant branch (SGB) stars, with ages $>12.5$ Gyr and associated error $<1$ Gyr. Ages are derived via isochrone fitting using the Bayesian code StarHorse, spanning the uniform range 0-20 Gyr, not assuming any cosmological prior on $t_U$. With a conservative cut in the Kiel diagram, strict quality cuts both on stellar parameters and posterior shapes, and removing potential contaminants, we isolate a final sample of 160 bona-fide stars, representing the largest sample of precise and reliable MSTO and SGB stars ages available to date. The age distribution of the final sample peaks at $13.6 \pm 1.0$ (stat) $\pm 1.3$ (syst) Gyr. Assuming a maximum formation redshift for these stars of $z_f = 20$ (a formation delay of $\sim$0.2 Gyr), we obtain a lower bound on $t_U$ of $t_U \geq 13.8 \pm 1.0$ (stat) $\pm 1.3$ (syst) Gyr. Considering the $10^{th}$ percentile of each star's posterior distributions, we find that, at 90% CL (stat), 70 stars favour $t_U > 13$ Gyr, while none exceeds 14.1 Gyr. An oldest age younger than 13 Gyr for this sample is incompatible with the data, even considering the full systematic error budget. This work presents the first statistically significant use of individual stellar ages as cosmic clocks, opening a new, independent approach for cosmological studies. While this already represents a major step forward, future Gaia data releases will yield even larger and more precise stellar samples, further strengthening these constraints. △ Less

Submitted 2 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Comments: 10 pages, 7 figures, abstract abdridged. Submitted to A&A

Journal ref: A&A 707, A111 (2026)

The impact of radial migration on disk galaxy star formation histories I. Biases in spatially resolved estimates

Authors: I. Minchev, K. Attard, B. Ratcliffe, M. Martig, J. Walcher, S. Khoperskov, J. P. Bernaldez, L. Marques, K. Sysoliatina, C. Chiappini, M. Steinmetz, R. S. de Jong

Abstract: Knowledge of the spatially resolved star formation history (SFH) of disk galaxies provides crucial insight into disk assembly, quenching, and chemical evolution. However, most reconstructions, both for the Milky Way and for external galaxies, implicitly assume that stars formed at their present-day radii. Using a range of zoom-in cosmological simulations, we show that stellar radial migration intr… ▽ More Knowledge of the spatially resolved star formation history (SFH) of disk galaxies provides crucial insight into disk assembly, quenching, and chemical evolution. However, most reconstructions, both for the Milky Way and for external galaxies, implicitly assume that stars formed at their present-day radii. Using a range of zoom-in cosmological simulations, we show that stellar radial migration introduces strong and systematic biases in such SFH estimates. In the inner disk (R < h_d), early star formation is typically underestimated by 25-50% and late star formation overestimated, giving the misleading impression of prolonged, moderate activity. An exception occurs in the very central bin considered (~ 0.4h_d), which is consistently overestimated due to a net inflow of inward migrators. At intermediate radii and in the outer disk, migration drives the opposite trend: intermediate-age populations are overestimated by 100-200% as stars born in the inner disk migrate outward, whereas genuinely in-situ populations are underestimated by ~ 50% as they themselves continue to migrate. The net effect is that SFH peaks are suppressed and broadened, and the true rate of inside-out disk growth is systematically underestimated. These distortions affect all galaxies in our sample and have direct implications for interpreting spatially resolved SFHs from IFU surveys such as CALIFA and MaNGA, where present-day radii are often used as proxies for stellar birth sites. Correcting these biases will require accounting for disk mass, bar presence, disk kinematics and morphology, while recent birth-radius estimation techniques for Milky Way stars offer a promising path forward. △ Less

Submitted 12 December, 2025; v1 submitted 25 August, 2025; originally announced August 2025.

Comments: 10 pages, 6 figures, including a new Fourier analysis figure. Accepted for publication in A&A

Journal ref: A&A 706, A31 (2026)

Abundances of P, S, and K in 58 bulge spheroid stars from APOGEE

Authors: B. Barbuy, H. Ernandes, A. C. S. Friaça, M. S. Camargo, P. da Silva, S. O. Souza, T. Masseron, M. Brauner, D. A. Garcia-Hernandez, J. G. Fernandez-Trincado, K. Cunha, V. V. Smith, A. Peerez-Villegas, C. Chiappini, A. B. A. Queiroz, B. X. Santiago, T. C. Beers, F. Anders, R. P. Schiavon, M. Valentini, D. Minniti, D. Geisler, D. Souto, V. M. Placco, M. Zoccali , et al. (3 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We have previously studied several elements in 58 selected bulge spheroid stars, based on spectral lines in the H-band. We now derive the abundances of the less-studied elements phosphorus (P; Z=15), sulphur (S; Z=16), and potassium (K; Z=19). The abundances of P, S, and K in 58 bulge spheroid stars are compared both with the results of a previous analysis of the data from the Apache Point Observa… ▽ More We have previously studied several elements in 58 selected bulge spheroid stars, based on spectral lines in the H-band. We now derive the abundances of the less-studied elements phosphorus (P; Z=15), sulphur (S; Z=16), and potassium (K; Z=19). The abundances of P, S, and K in 58 bulge spheroid stars are compared both with the results of a previous analysis of the data from the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE), and with a few available studies of these elements. We derive the individual abundances through spectral synthesis, using the stellar physical parameters available for our sample from the DR17 release of the APOGEE project. We provide recommendations for the best lines to be used for the studied elements among those in the H-band. We also compare the present results, together with literature data, with chemical-evolution models. Finally, the neutrino-process was taken into account for the suitable fit to the odd-Z elements P and K. We confirm that the H-band has useful lines for the derivation of the elements P, S, and K in moderately metal-poor stars. The abundances, plotted together with literature results from high-resolution spectroscopy, indicate that: moderately enhanced phosphorus stars are found, reminiscent results obtained for thick disk and halo stars of metallicity [Fe/H]~-1.0. Therefore, for the first time, we identify this effect to occur in the old stars from the bulge spheroid. Sulphur is an alpha-element and behaves as such. Potassium and sulphur both exhibit some star-to-star scatter, but fit within the expectations from chemical evolution models. △ Less

Submitted 15 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: 10 pages, accepted for Astronomy & Astrophysics. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2410.13751

The Nineteenth Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

Authors: SDSS Collaboration, Gautham Adamane Pallathadka, Mojgan Aghakhanloo, James Aird, Andrés Almeida, Singh Amrita, Friedrich Anders, Scott F. Anderson, Stefan Arseneau, Consuelo González Avila, Shir Aviram, Catarina Aydar, Carles Badenes, Jorge K. Barrera-Ballesteros, Franz E. Bauer, Aida Behmard, Michelle Berg, F. Besser, Christian Moni Bidin, Dmitry Bizyaev, Guillermo Blanc, Michael R. Blanton, Jo Bovy, William Nielsen Brandt, Joel R. Brownstein , et al. (187 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Mapping the local and distant Universe is key to our understanding of it. For decades, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) has made a concerted effort to map millions of celestial objects to constrain the physical processes that govern our Universe. The most recent and fifth generation of SDSS (SDSS-V) is organized into three scientific ``mappers". Milky Way Mapper (MWM) that aims to chart the var… ▽ More Mapping the local and distant Universe is key to our understanding of it. For decades, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) has made a concerted effort to map millions of celestial objects to constrain the physical processes that govern our Universe. The most recent and fifth generation of SDSS (SDSS-V) is organized into three scientific ``mappers". Milky Way Mapper (MWM) that aims to chart the various components of the Milky Way and constrain its formation and assembly, Black Hole Mapper (BHM), which focuses on understanding supermassive black holes in distant galaxies across the Universe, and Local Volume Mapper (LVM), which uses integral field spectroscopy to map the ionized interstellar medium in the local group. This paper describes and outlines the scope and content for the nineteenth data release (DR19) of SDSS and the most substantial to date in SDSS-V. DR19 is the first to contain data from all three mappers. Additionally, we also describe nine value added catalogs (VACs) that enhance the science that can be conducted with the SDSS-V data. Finally, we discuss how to access SDSS DR19 and provide illustrative examples and tutorials. △ Less

Submitted 9 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: Submitted to AASJournals. 56 Pages, 9 Tables, 11 Figures

The Spheroidal Bulge of the Milky Way: Chemodynamically Distinct from the Inner-Thick Disc and Bar

Authors: Samir Nepal, Cristina Chiappini, Angeles Pérez-Villegas, Anna B. Queiroz, Stefano Souza, Matthias Steinmetz, Friedrich Anders, Arman Khalatyan, Beatriz Barbuy, Guillaume Guiglion

Abstract: Studying the composition and origin of the inner region of our Galaxy -- the "Galactic bulge" -- is crucial for understanding the formation and evolution of the Milky Way and other galaxies. We present new observational constraints based on a sample of around 18,000 stars in the inner Galaxy, combining Gaia DR3 RVS and APOGEE DR17 spectroscopy. Gaia-RVS complements APOGEE by improving sampling of… ▽ More Studying the composition and origin of the inner region of our Galaxy -- the "Galactic bulge" -- is crucial for understanding the formation and evolution of the Milky Way and other galaxies. We present new observational constraints based on a sample of around 18,000 stars in the inner Galaxy, combining Gaia DR3 RVS and APOGEE DR17 spectroscopy. Gaia-RVS complements APOGEE by improving sampling of the metallicity, [Fe/H] in the -2.0 to -0.5 dex range. This work marks the first application of Gaia-RVS spectroscopy to the bulge region, enabled by a novel machine learning approach (hybrid-CNN) that derives stellar parameters from intermediate-resolution spectra with precision comparable to APOGEE's infrared data. We performed full orbit integrations using a barred Galactic potential and applied orbital frequency analysis to disentangle the stellar populations in the inner Milky Way. For the first time, traced by the field stars, we are able to robustly identify the long-sought pressure supported bulge. We show this stellar population to be chemically and kinematically distinct from the other main components co-existing in the same region. The spheroidal bulge has a metallicity distribution function (MDF) peak at around -0.70 dex extending to solar value, is dominated by a high-[alpha/Fe] population with almost no dependency on metallicity, consistent with very rapid early formation, predating the thick disc and the bar. We find evidence that the bar has influenced the dynamics of the spheroidal bulge, introducing a mild triaxiality and radial extension. We identify a group of stars on X4 orbits, likely native to the early spheroid, as this population mimics the chemistry of the spheroidal bulge, with a minor contamination from the more metal-poor ([Fe/H] < -1.0) halo. We find the inner-thick disc to be kinematically hotter (mean Vphi ~125 km/s) than the local-thick disc. ... △ Less

Submitted 14 December, 2025; v1 submitted 9 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: Accepted for publication in A&A on 25-Nov-2025. Abstract abridged

Journal ref: A&A 707, A190 (2026)

Tracing the Milky Way: Calibrating chemical ages with high-precision Kepler data

Authors: G. Casali, J. Montalbàn, A. Miglio, L. Casagrande, L. Magrini, C. Chiappini, A. Bragaglia, M. Matteuzzi, K. Brogaard, A. Stokholm, V. Grisoni, M. Tailo, E. Willett

Abstract: Chemical clocks offer a powerful tool for estimating stellar ages from spectroscopic surveys. We present a new detailed spectroscopic analysis of 68 Kepler red giant stars to provide a suite of high-precision abundances along with asteroseismic ages with better than 10 percent precision from individual mode frequencies. We obtained several chemical clocks as ratios between s-process elements (Y, Z… ▽ More Chemical clocks offer a powerful tool for estimating stellar ages from spectroscopic surveys. We present a new detailed spectroscopic analysis of 68 Kepler red giant stars to provide a suite of high-precision abundances along with asteroseismic ages with better than 10 percent precision from individual mode frequencies. We obtained several chemical clocks as ratios between s-process elements (Y, Zr, Ba, La, Ce) and alpha-elements (Mg, Ca, Si, Al, Ti). Our data show that [Ce/Mg] and [Zr/Ti] display a remarkably tight correlation with stellar ages, with abundance dispersions of 0.08 and 0.01 dex respectively and below 3 Gyr in ages, across the entire Galactic chronochemical history. While improving the precision floor of spectroscopic surveys is critical for broadening the scope and applicability of chemical clocks, the intrinsic accuracy of our relations -- enabled by high-resolution chemical abundances and stellar ages in our sample -- allows us to draw meaningful conclusions about age trends across stellar populations. By applying our relations to the APOGEE and Gaia-ESO surveys, we are able to differentiate the low- and high-alpha sequences in age, recover the age-metallicity relation, observe the disc flaring of the Milky Way, and identify a population of old metal-rich stars. △ Less

Submitted 24 June, 2025; v1 submitted 18 June, 2025; originally announced June 2025.

Comments: 21 pages, 19 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

MOSAIK: Multi-Origin Spatial Transcriptomics Analysis and Integration Kit

Authors: Anthony Baptista, Rosamond Nuamah, Ciro Chiappini, Anita Grigoriadis

Abstract: Spatial transcriptomics (ST) has revolutionised transcriptomics analysis by preserving tissue architecture, allowing researchers to study gene expression in its native spatial context. However, despite its potential, ST still faces significant technical challenges. Two major issues include: (1) the integration of raw data into coherent and reproducible analysis workflows, and (2) the accurate assi… ▽ More Spatial transcriptomics (ST) has revolutionised transcriptomics analysis by preserving tissue architecture, allowing researchers to study gene expression in its native spatial context. However, despite its potential, ST still faces significant technical challenges. Two major issues include: (1) the integration of raw data into coherent and reproducible analysis workflows, and (2) the accurate assignment of transcripts to individual cells. To address these challenges, we present MOSAIK, the first fully integrated, end-to-end workflow that supports raw data from both NanoString CosMx Spatial Molecular Imager (CosMx) and 10x Genomics Xenium In Situ (Xenium). MOSAIK (Multi-Origin Spatial Transcriptomics Analysis and Integration Kit) unifies transcriptomics and imaging data into a single Python object based on the spatialdata format. This unified structure ensures compatibility with a broad range of Python tools, enabling robust quality control and downstream analyses. With MOSAIK, users can perform advanced analyses such as re-segmentation (to more accurately assign transcripts to individual cells), cell typing, tissue domain identification, and cell-cell communication within a seamless and reproducible Python environment. △ Less

Submitted 16 May, 2025; originally announced May 2025.

Early Co-formation of the Milky Way's Thin and Thick Disks at Redshift z > 2

Authors: Lais Borbolato, Silvia Rossi, Hélio D. Perottoni, Guilherme Limberg, João A. S. Amarante, Anna B. A. Queiroz, Cristina Chiappini, Friedrich Anders, Rafael M. Santucci, Fabrícia O. Barbosa, João V. Nogueira-Santos

Abstract: The Milky Way serves as a template for understanding the formation and evolution of late-type massive disk galaxies since we can obtain detailed chemical and kinematic information for large samples of individual stars. However, the early formation of the disk and the dichotomy between the chemical thick and thin disks remain under intense debate. Some mechanisms have been proposed to explain the f… ▽ More The Milky Way serves as a template for understanding the formation and evolution of late-type massive disk galaxies since we can obtain detailed chemical and kinematic information for large samples of individual stars. However, the early formation of the disk and the dichotomy between the chemical thick and thin disks remain under intense debate. Some mechanisms have been proposed to explain the formation of this dichotomy, such as the injection of metal-poor gas by a gas-rich merger such as Gaia-Sausage Enceladus (GSE), or by cosmic gas filaments, radial migration, and the presence of star-forming clumps at high redshift ($z > 2$). In this work, we combine astrometric data from the Gaia mission, chemical abundances from APOGEE and LAMOST spectroscopic surveys, and StarHorse ages to map the evolution of our Galaxy. The Bayesian isochrone-fitting code StarHorse can estimate ages for thousands of stars in the solar neighborhood, being most reliable for main sequence turnoff and sub-giants, computing distances and extinction simultaneously. From these samples, we show that (i) there is an old thin disk population ($>11$ Gyr) that indicates a period of co-formation between the thick and thin disks of the Milky Way before the GSE merger, i.e. the Galaxy itself could initiate the formation of a low-alpha disk without the need for a gas-rich merger, and (ii) this merger would have been important to stop the formation of stars in the thick disk. △ Less

Submitted 31 March, 2025; originally announced April 2025.

Comments: Submitted to ApJ. Comments are welcome

Chronology of our Galaxy from Gaia colour-magnitude diagram fitting (ChronoGal) II. Unveiling the formation and evolution of the kinematically selected Thick and Thin Discs

Authors: Emma Fernández-Alvar, Tomás Ruiz-Lara, Carme Gallart, Santi Cassisi, Francisco Surot, Yllari K. González-Koda, Thomas M. Callingham, Anna B. Queiroz, Giuseppina Battaglia, Guillaume Thomas, Cristina Chiappini, Vanessa Hill, Emma Dodd, Amina Helmi, Guillem Aznar-Menargues, Alejandro de la Cueva, David Mirabla, Mónica Quintana-Ansaldo, Alicia Rivero

Abstract: Understanding the formation and evolution of the Milky Way's thin and thick discs is crucial to galaxy formation studies. We derive age and metallicity distributions of the kinematic thick and thin discs using the CMDft.Gaia pipeline and Gaia DR3 data within 250 pc of the Sun, covering 1 kpc in height. Our results show that the kinematic thick disc is mostly older than 10 Gyr, undergoing three mai… ▽ More Understanding the formation and evolution of the Milky Way's thin and thick discs is crucial to galaxy formation studies. We derive age and metallicity distributions of the kinematic thick and thin discs using the CMDft.Gaia pipeline and Gaia DR3 data within 250 pc of the Sun, covering 1 kpc in height. Our results show that the kinematic thick disc is mostly older than 10 Gyr, undergoing three main metallicity enrichment episodes: (1) over 12 Gyr ago, peaking at [M/H] $\sim$ -0.5 dex, (2) $\sim$11 Gyr ago, rapidly increasing to solar [M/H] and spanning [$α$/Fe] from 0.3 to solar, and (3) just over 10 Gyr ago, reaching supersolar metallicities. Meanwhile, the kinematic thin disc began forming $\sim$10 Gyr ago, just as thick disc star formation ended, characterized by supersolar metallicities and low [$α$/Fe]. This transition coincides with the Milky Way's last major merger: Gaia-Sausage Enceladus (GSE). We also identify a subset of kinematic thin disc stars older than 10 Gyr with high/intermediate [$α$/Fe], indicating a transition phase. The age-metallicity relation of the thin disc suggests overlapping star formation episodes and radial mixing in the solar neighborhood, with the greatest spread $\sim$6 Gyr ago. Additionally, we detect an isolated thick disc star formation event at solar metallicity, coinciding with Sagittarius' first pericenter passage. These findings provide precise age-metallicity distributions and star formation rates, offering key insights for chemical evolution models and cosmological simulations. △ Less

Submitted 25 March, 2025; originally announced March 2025.

Comments: Submitted to A&A

Journal ref: A&A 704, A258 (2025)

Tracing back a second-generation star stripped from Terzan 5 by the Galactic bar

Authors: Stefano O. Souza, Marica Valentini, Cristina Chiappini, Angeles Pérez-Villegas, Josefina Montalbán, Diego Bossini, Beatriz Barbuy, Yvonne Elsworth, Rafael A. Garcia

Abstract: The Galactic bulge hosts the Milky Way's oldest stars, possibly coming from disrupted globular clusters (GCs) or the bulge's primordial building blocks, making these stars witnesses to the Galaxy's early chemical enrichment. The Galactic bar currently dominates the bulge's region, altering the orbits of objects formed before its formation and complicating the trace of the field stars' original clu… ▽ More The Galactic bulge hosts the Milky Way's oldest stars, possibly coming from disrupted globular clusters (GCs) or the bulge's primordial building blocks, making these stars witnesses to the Galaxy's early chemical enrichment. The Galactic bar currently dominates the bulge's region, altering the orbits of objects formed before its formation and complicating the trace of the field stars' original clusters. Here, we present the discovery of a fossil record of this evolution, SOS1 -- a star trapped in the bar, exhibiting significant enhancements in nitrogen, sodium, and aluminum, typical of second-generation GC stars. SOS1 also shows an s-process Ce enhancement, suggesting an old age and early enrichment by fast-rotating massive stars in the Galaxy's earliest phases. With the purpose of finding the SOS1's parent GC, we derive its precise chemodynamical properties by combining high-precision proper motions from Gaia with APOGEE detailed chemical abundances. Our analysis suggests that SOS1 was possibly stripped from the GC Terzan 5 by the Galactic bar's gravitational influence approximately 350 Myr ago. We also found chemical similarities suggesting that SOS1 belonged to the most metal-poor, ancient, and peripheral stellar population of Terzan 5. These results not only support the hypothesis that Terzan 5 is a remnant of a primordial building block of the Galactic bulge, but also suggest this cluster continues losing stars to the bar. Our method highlights how powerful the use of chemodynamical properties in the Gaia era is for tracing the Galaxy's evolutionary history. △ Less

Submitted 12 November, 2024; originally announced November 2024.

Comments: Accepted for publication in ApJ Letters. 13 pages, 4 Figures (+ 3 in Appendix), and 1 Table (+ 1 in Appendix)

Abundances of iron-peak elements in 58 bulge spheroid stars from APOGEE

Authors: B. Barbuy, A. C. S. Friaça, H. Ernandes, P. da Silva, S. O. Souza, J. G. Fernández-Trincado, K. Cunha, V. V. Smith, T. Masseron, A. Pérez-Villegas, C. Chiappini, A. B. A. Queiroz, B. X. Santiago, T. C. Beers, F. Anders, R. P. Schiavon, M. Valentini, D. Minniti, D. Geisler, D. Souto, V. M. Placco, M. Zoccali, S. Feltzing, M. Schultheis, C. Nitschelm

Abstract: Stars presently identified in the bulge spheroid are probably very old, and their abundances can be interpreted as due to the fast chemical enrichment of the early Galactic bulge. The abundances of the iron-peak elements are important tracers of nucleosynthesis processes, in particular oxygen burning, silicon burning, the weak s-process, and alpha-rich freeze-out. Aims. The aim of this work is to… ▽ More Stars presently identified in the bulge spheroid are probably very old, and their abundances can be interpreted as due to the fast chemical enrichment of the early Galactic bulge. The abundances of the iron-peak elements are important tracers of nucleosynthesis processes, in particular oxygen burning, silicon burning, the weak s-process, and alpha-rich freeze-out. Aims. The aim of this work is to derive the abundances of V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, and Cu in 58 bulge spheroid stars and to compare them with the results of a previous analysis of data from APOGEE. We selected the best lines for V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, and Cu located within the H-band of the spectrum, identifying the most suitable ones for abundance determination, and discarding severe blends. Using the stellar physical parameters available for our sample from the DR17 release of the APOGEE project, we derived the individual abundances through spectrum synthesis. We then complemented these measurements with similar results from different bulge field and globular cluster stars, in order to define the trends of the individual elements and compare with the results of chemical-evolution models. We verify that the H-band has useful lines for the derivation of the elements V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, and Cu in moderately metal-poor stars. The resulting abundances indicate that: V, Cr, and Ni vary in lockstep with Fe; Co tends to vary in lockstep with Fe, but could be showing a slight decrease with decreasing metallicity; and Mn and Cu decrease with decreasing metallicity. These behaviours are well reproduced by chemical-evolution models except for Cu, which appears to drop faster than the models predict for moderate metallicities. Finally, abundance indicators combined with kinematical and dynamical criteria appear to show that our 58 sample stars are likely to have originated in situ. △ Less

Submitted 17 October, 2024; originally announced October 2024.

Comments: 12 pages, Astronomy & Astrophysics, accepted on 9/October/2024

Transferring spectroscopic stellar labels to 217 million Gaia DR3 XP stars with SHBoost

Authors: A. Khalatyan, F. Anders, C. Chiappini, A. B. A. Queiroz, S. Nepal, M. dal Ponte, C. Jordi, G. Guiglion, M. Valentini, G. Torralba Elipe, M. Steinmetz, M. Pantaleoni-González, S. Malhotra, Ó. Jiménez-Arranz, H. Enke, L. Casamiquela, J. Ardèvol

Abstract: In this paper, we explore the feasibility of using machine learning regression as a method of extracting basic stellar parameters and line-of-sight extinctions from spectro-photometric data. We built a stable gradient-boosted random-forest regressor (xgboost), trained on spectroscopic data, capable of producing output parameters with reliable uncertainties from Gaia DR3 data (most notably the low-… ▽ More In this paper, we explore the feasibility of using machine learning regression as a method of extracting basic stellar parameters and line-of-sight extinctions from spectro-photometric data. We built a stable gradient-boosted random-forest regressor (xgboost), trained on spectroscopic data, capable of producing output parameters with reliable uncertainties from Gaia DR3 data (most notably the low-resolution XP spectra), without ground-based spectroscopic observations. Using Shapley additive explanations, we interpret how the predictions for each star are influenced by each data feature. For the training and testing of the network, we used high-quality parameters obtained from the StarHorse code for a sample of around eight million stars observed by major spectroscopic stellar surveys, complemented by curated samples of hot stars, very metal-poor stars, white dwarfs, and hot sub-dwarfs. The training data cover the whole sky, all Galactic components, and almost the full magnitude range of the Gaia DR3 XP sample of more than 217 million objects that also have reported parallaxes. We have achieved median uncertainties of 0.20 mag in V-band extinction, 0.01 dex in logarithmic effective temperature, 0.20 dex in surface gravity, 0.18 dex in metallicity, and $12\%$ in mass (over the full Gaia DR3 XP sample, with considerable variations in precision as a function of magnitude and stellar type). We succeeded in predicting competitive results based on Gaia DR3 XP spectra compared to classical isochrone or spectral-energy distribution fitting methods we employed in earlier works, especially for parameters $A_V$ and $T_{\rm eff}$, along with the metallicity values. Finally, we showcase some potential applications of this new catalogue, including extinction maps, metallicity trends in the Milky Way, and extended maps of young massive stars, metal-poor stars, and metal-rich stars). [abridged] △ Less

Submitted 27 September, 2024; v1 submitted 9 July, 2024; originally announced July 2024.

Comments: A&A, accepted. 13 pages, 13 figures + references & appendices. Data available at https://data.aip.de/projects/shboost2024.html

Journal ref: A&A 691, A98 (2024)

Exploring the Stellar Rotation of Early-type Stars in the LAMOST Medium-resolution Survey. III. Evolution

Authors: Weijia Sun, Cristina Chiappini

Abstract: Stellar rotation significantly shapes the evolution of massive stars, yet the interplay of mass and metallicity remains elusive, limiting our capacity to construct accurate stellar evolution models and to better estimate the impact of rotation in chemical evolution of galaxies. Our goal is to investigate how mass and metallicity influence the rotational evolution of A-type stars on the main sequen… ▽ More Stellar rotation significantly shapes the evolution of massive stars, yet the interplay of mass and metallicity remains elusive, limiting our capacity to construct accurate stellar evolution models and to better estimate the impact of rotation in chemical evolution of galaxies. Our goal is to investigate how mass and metallicity influence the rotational evolution of A-type stars on the main sequence (MS). We seek to identify deviations in rotational behaviors that could serve as new constraints to existing stellar models. Using the LAMOST median-resolution survey Data Release 9, we derived stellar parameters for a population of 104,752 A-type stars. Our study focused on the evolution of surface rotational velocities and their dependence on mass and metallicity in 84,683 `normal' stars. Normalized surface rotational revealed a prevailing evolutionary profile from 1.7 to 4.0 $M_\odot$. This profile features an initial rapid acceleration until $t/t_\mathrm{ms} = 0.25$, potentially a second acceleration peak near $t/t_\mathrm{ms} = 0.55$ for stars heavier than 2.5 $M_\odot$, followed by a steady decline and a `hook' feature at the end. Surpassing theoretical expectations, the initial acceleration likely stems from a concentrated distribution of angular momentum at ZAMS, resulting in a prolonged increase in speed. The inverse circulation becomes more efficient at lower metallicity, explaining the correlation of the slope of this deceleration phase with metallicity from -0.3 dex up to 0.1 dex. The metal-poor subsample suggests a mechanism dependent on metallicity for removing angular momentum during star formation. The proportion of fast rotators decreases with an increase in metallicity, up to $\log(Z/Z_\odot)\sim -0.2$, a trend consistent with observations of OB-type stars found in the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds. △ Less

Submitted 26 June, 2024; originally announced June 2024.

Comments: 13 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in A&A

Journal ref: A&A 689, A141 (2024)

The PLATO Mission

Authors: Heike Rauer, Conny Aerts, Juan Cabrera, Magali Deleuil, Anders Erikson, Laurent Gizon, Mariejo Goupil, Ana Heras, Jose Lorenzo-Alvarez, Filippo Marliani, César Martin-Garcia, J. Miguel Mas-Hesse, Laurence O'Rourke, Hugh Osborn, Isabella Pagano, Giampaolo Piotto, Don Pollacco, Roberto Ragazzoni, Gavin Ramsay, Stéphane Udry, Thierry Appourchaux, Willy Benz, Alexis Brandeker, Manuel Güdel, Eduardo Janot-Pacheco , et al. (820 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: PLATO (PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars) is ESA's M3 mission designed to detect and characterise extrasolar planets and perform asteroseismic monitoring of a large number of stars. PLATO will detect small planets (down to <2 R_(Earth)) around bright stars (<11 mag), including terrestrial planets in the habitable zone of solar-like stars. With the complement of radial velocity observati… ▽ More PLATO (PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars) is ESA's M3 mission designed to detect and characterise extrasolar planets and perform asteroseismic monitoring of a large number of stars. PLATO will detect small planets (down to <2 R_(Earth)) around bright stars (<11 mag), including terrestrial planets in the habitable zone of solar-like stars. With the complement of radial velocity observations from the ground, planets will be characterised for their radius, mass, and age with high accuracy (5 %, 10 %, 10 % for an Earth-Sun combination respectively). PLATO will provide us with a large-scale catalogue of well-characterised small planets up to intermediate orbital periods, relevant for a meaningful comparison to planet formation theories and to better understand planet evolution. It will make possible comparative exoplanetology to place our Solar System planets in a broader context. In parallel, PLATO will study (host) stars using asteroseismology, allowing us to determine the stellar properties with high accuracy, substantially enhancing our knowledge of stellar structure and evolution. The payload instrument consists of 26 cameras with 12cm aperture each. For at least four years, the mission will perform high-precision photometric measurements. Here we review the science objectives, present PLATO's target samples and fields, provide an overview of expected core science performance as well as a description of the instrument and the mission profile at the beginning of the serial production of the flight cameras. PLATO is scheduled for a launch date end 2026. This overview therefore provides a summary of the mission to the community in preparation of the upcoming operational phases. △ Less

Submitted 18 November, 2024; v1 submitted 8 June, 2024; originally announced June 2024.

Rapidly rotating Population III stellar models as a source of primary nitrogen

Authors: Sophie Tsiatsiou, Yves Sibony, Devesh Nandal, Luca Sciarini, Yutaka Hirai, Sylvia Ekstrom, Eoin Farrell, Laura Murphy, Arthur Choplin, Raphael Hirschi, Cristina Chiappini, Boyuan Liu, Volker Bromm, Jose Groh, Georges Meynet

Abstract: The first stars might have been fast rotators. This would have important consequences for their radiative, mechanical and chemical feedback. We discuss the impact of fast initial rotation on the evolution of massive Population III models and on their nitrogen and oxygen stellar yields. We explore the evolution of Population III stars with initial masses in the range of 9Msol < Mini < 120Msol start… ▽ More The first stars might have been fast rotators. This would have important consequences for their radiative, mechanical and chemical feedback. We discuss the impact of fast initial rotation on the evolution of massive Population III models and on their nitrogen and oxygen stellar yields. We explore the evolution of Population III stars with initial masses in the range of 9Msol < Mini < 120Msol starting with an initial rotation on the Zero Age Main Sequence equal to 70% of the critical one. We find that with the physics of rotation considered here, our rapidly-rotating Population III stellar models do not follow a homogeneous evolution. They lose very little mass in case mechanical winds are switched on when the surface rotation becomes equal or larger than the critical velocity. Impact on the ionising flux appears modest when compared to moderately-rotating models. Fast rotation favours, in models with initial masses above ~20Msol, the appearance of a very extended intermediate convective zone around the H-burning shell during the core He-burning phase. This shell has important consequences on the sizes of the He- and CO-cores and thus impacts the final fate of stars. Moreover, it has a strong impact on nucleosynthesis boosting the production of primary 14N. Fast initial rotation impacts significantly the chemical feedback of Population III stars. Observations of extremely metal-poor stars and/or starbursting regions are essential to provide constraints on the properties of the first stars. △ Less

Submitted 16 May, 2024; v1 submitted 25 April, 2024; originally announced April 2024.

Comments: Accepted in A&A. Pages 17. Figures 15. Tables 2

Journal ref: A&A 687, A307 (2024)

Constraining stellar tidal quality factors from planet-induced stellar spin-up

Authors: Nikoleta Ilić, Katja Poppenhaeger, Anna Barbara Queiroz, Cristina Chiappini

Abstract: The dynamical evolution of tight star-planet systems is influenced by tidal interactions between the star and the planet, as was shown recently. The rate at which spins and orbits in such a system evolve depends on the stellar and planetary tidal dissipation efficiency. Here, we present a method to constrain the modified tidal quality factor $Q'_*$ of a planet-hosting star whose rotational evoluti… ▽ More The dynamical evolution of tight star-planet systems is influenced by tidal interactions between the star and the planet, as was shown recently. The rate at which spins and orbits in such a system evolve depends on the stellar and planetary tidal dissipation efficiency. Here, we present a method to constrain the modified tidal quality factor $Q'_*$ of a planet-hosting star whose rotational evolution has been altered by its planet through angular momentum transfer from the planetary orbital motion to the rotation of the stellar convective zone. The altered rotation is estimated from an observed discrepancy of magnetic activity of the planet-hosting star and a coeval companion star, i.e. this method is applicable to star-planet systems with wide stellar companions. We give an example of the planet-hosting wide binary system HD189733 and find that the planet host's modified tidal quality factor is constrained to be $Q'_* \leq 2.33 \times 10^7$. △ Less

Submitted 24 April, 2024; v1 submitted 5 April, 2024; originally announced April 2024.

Comments: Accepted for publication in Astronomische Nachrichten (AN); reference list corrected

The Wide-field Spectroscopic Telescope (WST) Science White Paper

Authors: Vincenzo Mainieri, Richard I. Anderson, Jarle Brinchmann, Andrea Cimatti, Richard S. Ellis, Vanessa Hill, Jean-Paul Kneib, Anna F. McLeod, Cyrielle Opitom, Martin M. Roth, Paula Sanchez-Saez, Rodolfo Smiljanic, Eline Tolstoy, Roland Bacon, Sofia Randich, Angela Adamo, Francesca Annibali, Patricia Arevalo, Marc Audard, Stefania Barsanti, Giuseppina Battaglia, Amelia M. Bayo Aran, Francesco Belfiore, Michele Bellazzini, Emilio Bellini , et al. (192 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The Wide-field Spectroscopic Telescope (WST) is proposed as a new facility dedicated to the efficient delivery of spectroscopic surveys. This white paper summarises the initial concept as well as the corresponding science cases. WST will feature simultaneous operation of a large field-of-view (3 sq. degree), a high multiplex (20,000) multi-object spectrograph (MOS) and a giant 3x3 sq. arcmin integ… ▽ More The Wide-field Spectroscopic Telescope (WST) is proposed as a new facility dedicated to the efficient delivery of spectroscopic surveys. This white paper summarises the initial concept as well as the corresponding science cases. WST will feature simultaneous operation of a large field-of-view (3 sq. degree), a high multiplex (20,000) multi-object spectrograph (MOS) and a giant 3x3 sq. arcmin integral field spectrograph (IFS). In scientific capability these requirements place WST far ahead of existing and planned facilities. Given the current investment in deep imaging surveys and noting the diagnostic power of spectroscopy, WST will fill a crucial gap in astronomical capability and work synergistically with future ground and space-based facilities. This white paper shows that WST can address outstanding scientific questions in the areas of cosmology; galaxy assembly, evolution, and enrichment, including our own Milky Way; origin of stars and planets; time domain and multi-messenger astrophysics. WST's uniquely rich dataset will deliver unforeseen discoveries in many of these areas. The WST Science Team (already including more than 500 scientists worldwide) is open to the all astronomical community. To register in the WST Science Team please visit https://www.wstelescope.com/for-scientists/participate △ Less

Submitted 12 April, 2024; v1 submitted 8 March, 2024; originally announced March 2024.

Comments: 194 pages, 66 figures. Comments are welcome (wstelescope@gmail.com)

A perspective on the Milky Way Bulge-Bar as seen from the neutron-capture elements Cerium and Neodymium with APOGEE

Authors: J. V. Sales-Silva, K. Cunha, V. V. Smith, S. Daflon, D. Souto, R. Guerço, A. Queiroz, C. Chiappini, C. R. Hayes, T. Masseron, Sten Hasselquist, D. Horta, N. Prantzos, M. Zoccali, C. Allende Prieto, B. Barbuy, R. Beaton, D. Bizyaev, J. G. Fernández-Trincado, P. M. Frinchaboy, J. A. Holtzman, J. A. Johnson, Henrik Jönsson, S. R. Majewski, D. Minniti , et al. (6 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: This study probes the chemical abundances of the neutron-capture elements cerium and neodymium in the inner Milky Way from an analysis of a sample of $\sim$2000 stars in the Galactic Bulge/bar spatially contained within $|X_{Gal}|<$5 kpc, $|Y_{Gal}|<$3.5 kpc, and $|Z_{Gal}|<$1 kpc, and spanning metallicities between $-$2.0$\lesssim$[Fe/H]$\lesssim$+0.5. We classify the sample stars into low- or hi… ▽ More This study probes the chemical abundances of the neutron-capture elements cerium and neodymium in the inner Milky Way from an analysis of a sample of $\sim$2000 stars in the Galactic Bulge/bar spatially contained within $|X_{Gal}|<$5 kpc, $|Y_{Gal}|<$3.5 kpc, and $|Z_{Gal}|<$1 kpc, and spanning metallicities between $-$2.0$\lesssim$[Fe/H]$\lesssim$+0.5. We classify the sample stars into low- or high-[Mg/Fe] populations and find that, in general, values of [Ce/Fe] and [Nd/Fe] increase as the metallicity decreases for the low- and high-[Mg/Fe] populations. Ce abundances show a more complex variation across the metallicity range of our Bulge-bar sample when compared to Nd, with the r-process dominating the production of neutron-capture elements in the high-[Mg/Fe] population ([Ce/Nd]$<$0.0). We find a spatial chemical dependence of Ce and Nd abundances for our sample of Bulge-bar stars, with low- and high-[Mg/Fe] populations displaying a distinct abundance distribution. In the region close to the center of the MW, the low-[Mg/Fe] population is dominated by stars with low [Ce/Fe], [Ce/Mg], [Nd/Mg], [Nd/Fe], and [Ce/Nd] ratios. The low [Ce/Nd] ratio indicates a significant contribution in this central region from r-process yields for the low-[Mg/Fe] population. The chemical pattern of the most metal-poor stars in our sample suggests an early chemical enrichment of the Bulge dominated by yields from core-collapse supernovae and r-process astrophysical sites, such as magneto-rotational supernovae. △ Less

Submitted 19 April, 2024; v1 submitted 22 February, 2024; originally announced February 2024.

Comments: 21 pages, 10 figures, 1 table

Chronology of our Galaxy from Gaia Colour-Magnitude Diagram-fitting (ChronoGal). I. The formation and evolution of the thin disk from the Gaia Catalogue of Nearby Stars

Authors: C. Gallart, F. Surot, S. Cassisi, E. Fernández-Alvar, D. Mirabal, A. Rivero, T. Ruiz-Lara, J. Santos-Torres, G. Aznar-Menargues, G. Battaglia, A. B. Queiroz, M. Monelli, E. Vasiliev, C. Chiappini, A. Helmi, V. Hill, D. Massari, G. F. Thomas

Abstract: The current major challenge to reconstruct the chronology of the Milky Way (MW) is the difficulty to derive precise stellar ages. CMD-fitting offers an alternative to individual age determinations to derive the star formation history (SFH). We present CMDft.Gaia and use it to analyse the CMD of the Gaia Catalogue of Nearby Stars (GCNS), which contains a census of the stars within 100 pc of the Sun… ▽ More The current major challenge to reconstruct the chronology of the Milky Way (MW) is the difficulty to derive precise stellar ages. CMD-fitting offers an alternative to individual age determinations to derive the star formation history (SFH). We present CMDft.Gaia and use it to analyse the CMD of the Gaia Catalogue of Nearby Stars (GCNS), which contains a census of the stars within 100 pc of the Sun. The result is an unprecedented detailed view of the evolution of the MW disk. The bulk of star formation started 11-10.5 Gyr ago at [Fe/H]~solar and continued with a slightly decreasing metallicity trend until 6 Gyr ago. Between 6-4 Gyr ago, a break in the age-metallicity distribution is observed, with 3 stellar populations with distinct metallicities (sub-solar, solar, and super-solar), possibly indicating some dramatic event in the Galaxy. Star formation resumed 4 Gyr ago with a bursty behaviour, metallicity near solar and higher average SFR. The derived metallicity distribution closely matches precise spectroscopic data, which also show stellar populations deviating from solar metallicity. Interestingly, our results reveal the presence of intermediate-age populations with both a metallicity typical of the thick disk and supersolar metallicity. Our many tests indicate that, with high precision Gaia photometric and distance data, CMDft.Gaia can achieve a precision ~10% and an accuracy better than 6% in the dating of even old stellar populations. The comparison with independent spectroscopic data shows that metallicity distributions are determined with high precision, without imposing a-priory metallicity information. This opens the door to obtaining detailed and robust information on the evolution of the stellar populations of the MW over cosmic time. As an example we provide an unprecedented detailed view of the age and metallicity distributions of the stars within 100 pc of the Sun. △ Less

Submitted 14 February, 2024; originally announced February 2024.

Comments: 35 pages, 30 figures; to be published in A&A; revised version after minor referee comments

Journal ref: A&A 687, A168 (2024)

Discovery of the local counterpart of disc galaxies at z > 4: The oldest thin disc of the Milky Way using Gaia-RVS

Authors: Samir Nepal, Cristina Chiappini, Anna B. A. Queiroz, Guillaume Guiglion, Josefina Montalbán, Matthias Steinmetz, Andrea Miglio, Arman Khalatyan

Abstract: JWST has recently detected numerous disc galaxies at high-redshifts and there have been observations of cold disc galaxies at z > 4 with ALMA. In the Milky Way, recent studies find metal-poor stars in cold disc orbits, suggesting an ancient disc. We investigated a sample of 565,606 stars from the hybrid-CNN analysis of the Gaia-DR3 RVS stars. The sample contains 8,500 stars with [Fe/H]<-1. For a s… ▽ More JWST has recently detected numerous disc galaxies at high-redshifts and there have been observations of cold disc galaxies at z > 4 with ALMA. In the Milky Way, recent studies find metal-poor stars in cold disc orbits, suggesting an ancient disc. We investigated a sample of 565,606 stars from the hybrid-CNN analysis of the Gaia-DR3 RVS stars. The sample contains 8,500 stars with [Fe/H]<-1. For a subset of ~200,000 MSTO and subgiant stars we computed distances and ages using the StarHorse code with a mean precision of 1% and 12%, respectively. First, we confirm the existence of metal-poor stars in thin disc orbits - over 50% are older than 13 Gyr. Second, we report the discovery of the oldest thin disc of the Milky Way(MW), which extends across a wide range of metallicities, from metal-poor to super-solar stars. The metal-poor stars in disc orbits manifest as a readily visible tail of the metallicity distribution. The high-[α/Fe] thick disc exhibits a vertical velocity dispersion of 35 km/s, while the thin disc shows 10 to 15 km/s lower at similar ages. Our old thin disc $σ_{V_z}$ appears similar to those estimated for the high-z disc galaxies. Third, we extend the [Y/Mg] chemical clock to the oldest ages and estimate a slope of -0.038 dex/Gyr. Finally, we confirm our discovery by showing that the splash includes high- and low-[α/Fe] populations that are both old and extends to super-solar [Fe/H]. We find about 6 to 10% of the old thin disc was heated to thick disc orbits with the youngest splashed stars being 9 to 10 Gyrs. We conclude the MW thin disc forms <1 billion years from Big Bang, building up inside-out, preceding earlier estimates by about 4-5 billion years. Considering a massive merger event such as the GSE, a Splash is expected - we find a portion of the old thin disc is heated to thick disc velocities and the Splash extends to super-solar [Fe/H] regimes. △ Less

Submitted 3 June, 2024; v1 submitted 1 February, 2024; originally announced February 2024.

Comments: Accepted for publication in A&A. The abstract has been substantially modified to comply with arXiv's word limit, please refer to the pdf

Journal ref: A&A 688, A167 (2024)

Spectacular nucleosynthesis from early massive stars

Authors: Alexander P. Ji, Sanjana Curtis, Nicholas Storm, Vedant Chandra, Kevin C. Schlaufman, Keivan G. Stassun, Alexander Heger, Marco Pignatari, Adrian M. Price-Whelan, Maria Bergemann, Guy S. Stringfellow, Carla Frohlich, Henrique Reggiani, Erika M. Holmbeck, Jamie Tayar, Shivani P. Shah, Emily J. Griffith, Chervin F. P. Laporte, Andrew R. Casey, Keith Hawkins, Danny Horta, William Cerny, Pierre Thibodeaux, Sam A. Usman, Joao A. S. Amarante , et al. (17 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Stars formed with initial mass over 50 Msun are very rare today, but they are thought to be more common in the early universe. The fates of those early, metal-poor, massive stars are highly uncertain. Most are expected to directly collapse to black holes, while some may explode as a result of rotationally powered engines or the pair-creation instability. We present the chemical abundances of J0931… ▽ More Stars formed with initial mass over 50 Msun are very rare today, but they are thought to be more common in the early universe. The fates of those early, metal-poor, massive stars are highly uncertain. Most are expected to directly collapse to black holes, while some may explode as a result of rotationally powered engines or the pair-creation instability. We present the chemical abundances of J0931+0038, a nearby low-mass star identified in early followup of SDSS-V Milky Way Mapper, which preserves the signature of unusual nucleosynthesis from a massive star in the early universe. J0931+0038 has relatively high metallicity ([Fe/H] = -1.76 +/- 0.13) but an extreme odd-even abundance pattern, with some of the lowest known abundance ratios of [N/Fe], [Na/Fe], [K/Fe], [Sc/Fe], and [Ba/Fe]. The implication is that a majority of its metals originated in a single extremely metal-poor nucleosynthetic source. An extensive search through nucleosynthesis predictions finds a clear preference for progenitors with initial mass > 50 Msun, making J0931+0038 one of the first observational constraints on nucleosynthesis in this mass range. However the full abundance pattern is not matched by any models in the literature. J0931+0038 thus presents a challenge for the next generation of nucleosynthesis models and motivates study of high-mass progenitor stars impacted by convection, rotation, jets, and/or binary companions. Though rare, more examples of unusual early nucleosynthesis in metal-poor stars should be found in upcoming large spectroscopic surveys. △ Less

Submitted 4 January, 2024; originally announced January 2024.

Comments: 11 pages + 22 page appendix, accepted to ApJL

K2 results for "young" $α$-rich stars in the Galaxy

Authors: V. Grisoni, C. Chiappini, A. Miglio, K. Brogaard, G. Casali, E. Willett, J. Montalbán, A. Stokholm, J. S. Thomsen, M. Tailo, M. Matteuzzi, M. Valentini, Y. Elsworth, B. Mosser

Abstract: The origin of apparently young $α$-rich stars in the Galaxy is still a matter of debate in Galactic archaeology, whether they are genuinely young or might be products of binary evolution and merger/mass accretion. We aim to shed light on the nature of young $α$-rich stars in the Milky Way by studying their distribution in the Galaxy thanks to an unprecedented sample of giant stars that cover diffe… ▽ More The origin of apparently young $α$-rich stars in the Galaxy is still a matter of debate in Galactic archaeology, whether they are genuinely young or might be products of binary evolution and merger/mass accretion. We aim to shed light on the nature of young $α$-rich stars in the Milky Way by studying their distribution in the Galaxy thanks to an unprecedented sample of giant stars that cover different Galactic regions and have precise asteroseismic ages, chemical, and kinematic measurements. We analyze a new sample of $\sim$ 6000 stars with precise ages coming from asteroseismology. Our sample combines the global asteroseismic parameters measured from light curves obtained by the K2 mission with stellar parameters and chemical abundances obtained from APOGEE DR17 and GALAH DR3, then cross-matched with Gaia DR3. We define our sample of young $α$-rich stars and study their chemical, kinematic, and age properties. We investigate young $α$-rich stars in different parts of the Galaxy and we find that the fraction of young $α$-rich stars remains constant with respect to the number of high-$α$ stars at $\sim$ 10%. Furthermore, young $α$-rich stars have kinematic and chemical properties similar to high-$α$ stars, except for [C/N] ratios. This suggests that these stars are not genuinely young, but products of binary evolution and merger/mass accretion. Under that assumption, we find the fraction of these stars in the field to be similar to that found recently in clusters. This fact suggests that $\sim$ 10% of the low-$α$ field stars could also have their ages underestimated by asteroseismology. This should be kept in mind when using asteroseismic ages to interpret results in Galactic archaeology. △ Less

Submitted 12 December, 2023; originally announced December 2023.

Comments: 13 pages, 7 figures. Accepted by A&A

The Pristine Inner Galaxy Survey (PIGS) VIII: Characterising the orbital properties of the ancient, very metal-poor inner Milky Way

Authors: Anke Ardern-Arentsen, Giacomo Monari, Anna B. A. Queiroz, Else Starkenburg, Nicolas F. Martin, Cristina Chiappini, David S. Aguado, Vasily Belokurov, Ray Carlberg, Stephanie Monty, GyuChul Myeong, Mathias Schultheis, Federico Sestito, Kim A. Venn, Sara Vitali, Zhen Yuan, Hanyuan Zhang, Sven Buder, Geraint F. Lewis, William H. Oliver, Zhen Wan, Daniel B. Zucker

Abstract: The oldest stars in the Milky Way (born in the first few billion years) are expected to have a high density in the inner few kpc, spatially overlapping with the Galactic bulge. We use spectroscopic data from the Pristine Inner Galaxy Survey (PIGS) to study the dynamical properties of ancient, metal-poor inner Galaxy stars. We compute distances using StarHorse, and orbital properties in a barred Ga… ▽ More The oldest stars in the Milky Way (born in the first few billion years) are expected to have a high density in the inner few kpc, spatially overlapping with the Galactic bulge. We use spectroscopic data from the Pristine Inner Galaxy Survey (PIGS) to study the dynamical properties of ancient, metal-poor inner Galaxy stars. We compute distances using StarHorse, and orbital properties in a barred Galactic potential. With this paper, we release the spectroscopic AAT/PIGS catalogue (13 235 stars). We find that most PIGS stars have orbits typical for a pressure-supported population. The fraction of stars confined to the inner Galaxy decreases with decreasing metallicity, but many very metal-poor stars (VMP, [Fe/H] < -2.0) stay confined (~ 60% stay within 5 kpc). The azimuthal velocity v$_φ$ also decreases between [Fe/H] = -1.0 and -2.0, but is constant for VMP stars (at ~ 40 km/s). The carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars in PIGS appear to have similar orbital properties compared to normal VMP stars. Our results suggest a possible transition between two spheroidal components - a more metal-rich, more concentrated, faster rotating component, and a more metal-poor, more extended and slower/non-rotating component. We propose that the former may be connected to pre-disc in-situ stars (or those born in large building blocks), whereas the latter may be dominated by contributions from smaller galaxies. This is an exciting era where large metal-poor samples, such as in this work (as well as upcoming surveys, e.g., 4MOST), shed light on the earliest evolution of our Galaxy. △ Less

Submitted 16 April, 2024; v1 submitted 6 December, 2023; originally announced December 2023.

Comments: Accepted to MNRAS, new: Figures 4, 8 and 9 and Table 2 - Figure 9 shows two inner halo components

Insights from Super-Metal-Rich Stars: Is the Milky Way bar young?

Authors: Samir Nepal, Cristina Chiappini, Guillaume Guiglion, Matthias Steinmetz, Angeles Pérez-Villegas, Anna B. A. Queiroz, Andrea Miglio, Pauline Dohme, Arman Khalatyan

Abstract: Super-metal-rich (SMR) stars, currently in the solar neighbourhood, are expected to originate only in the inner Galaxy and have definitely migrated. We aim at studying a large sample of SMR stars to provide constraints on the epoch of the bar formation and its impact on the MW disc stellar populations. We investigate a sample of 169,701 MSTO and SGB stars with 6D phase space information and high-q… ▽ More Super-metal-rich (SMR) stars, currently in the solar neighbourhood, are expected to originate only in the inner Galaxy and have definitely migrated. We aim at studying a large sample of SMR stars to provide constraints on the epoch of the bar formation and its impact on the MW disc stellar populations. We investigate a sample of 169,701 MSTO and SGB stars with 6D phase space information and high-quality stellar parameters coming from the hybrid-CNN analysis of the Gaia-DR3 RVS stars. We compute distances and ages using the StarHorse code with a mean precision of 1% and 11%, respectively. From these, 11,848 stars have metallicity ([Fe/H]) above 0.15 dex. We report a metallicity dependence of spatial distribution of stellar orbits shown by the bimodal distribution in the guiding radius at 6.9 and 7.9 kpc, first appearing at [Fe/H]~0.1 dex, becoming very pronounced at larger [Fe/H]. In addition, we've observed a trend where the most metal-rich stars, with [Fe/H]~0.4 dex, are predominantly old (9-12 Gyrs) but show a gradual decline in [Fe/H] with age, reaching around 0.25 dex at about 4 Gyrs ago, followed by a sharp drop around 3 Gyrs ago. Furthermore, our full dataset reveals a clear peak in the age-metallicity relationship during the same period, indicating a SF burst around 3-4 Gyrs ago with slightly sub-solar [Fe/H] and enhanced [$α$/Fe]. We show the SMR stars are good tracers of the bar activity. We interpret the steep decrease in number of SMR stars at around 3 Gyr as the end of the bar formation epoch. In this scenario, the peak of bar activity also coincides with a peak in the SF activity in the disc. Although the SF burst around 3 Gyr ago has been reported previously, its origin was unclear. Here, we suggest the SF burst to have been triggered by the high bar activity, 3-4 Gyr ago. According to these results and interpretation, the MW bar could be young. △ Less

Submitted 28 November, 2023; originally announced November 2023.

Comments: Accepted for publication on A&A Letters

Chemical abundances of the young inner-disk open cluster NGC 6705 observed by APOGEE: sodium-rich and not $α$-enhanced

Authors: V. Loaiza-Tacuri, K. Cunha, D. Souto, V. V. Smith, R. Guerço, C. Chiappini, J. V. Sales Silva, D. Horta, C. Allende Prieto, R. Beaton, D. Bizyaev, S. Daflon, P. Frinchaboy, S. Hasselquist, C. R. Hayes, J. A. Holtzman, H. Jönsson, S. R. Majewski, S. Mészáros, D. L. Nidever, M. Pinsonneault, G. Zasowski

Abstract: Previous results in the literature have found the young inner-disk open cluster NGC 6705 to be mildly $α$-enhanced. We examined this possibility via an independent chemical abundance analysis for 11 red-giant members of NGC 6705. The analysis is based on near-infrared APOGEE spectra and relies on LTE calculations using spherical model atmospheres and radiative transfer. We find a mean cluster meta… ▽ More Previous results in the literature have found the young inner-disk open cluster NGC 6705 to be mildly $α$-enhanced. We examined this possibility via an independent chemical abundance analysis for 11 red-giant members of NGC 6705. The analysis is based on near-infrared APOGEE spectra and relies on LTE calculations using spherical model atmospheres and radiative transfer. We find a mean cluster metallicity of $\rm [Fe/H] = +0.13 \pm 0.04$, indicating that NGC 6705 is metal-rich, as may be expected for a young inner-disk cluster. The mean $α$-element abundance relative to iron is $\rm \langle [α/Fe]\rangle =-0.03 \pm 0.05$, which is not at odds with expectations from general Galactic abundance trends. NGC 6705 also provides important probes for studying stellar mixing, given its turn-off mass of M$\sim$3.3 M$_\odot$. Its red giants have low $^{12}$C abundances ([$^{12}$C/Fe]=$-$0.16) and enhanced $^{14}$N abundances ([$^{14}$N/Fe]=+0.51), which are key signatures of the first dredge-up on the red giant branch. An additional signature of dredge-up was found in the Na abundances, which are enhanced by [Na/Fe]=+0.29, with a very small non-LTE correction. The $^{16}$O and Al abundances are found to be near-solar. All of the derived mixing-sensitive abundances are in agreement with stellar models of approximately 3.3 M$_{\odot}$ evolving along the red giant branch and onto the red clump. As found in young open clusters with similar metallicities, NGC 6705 exhibits a mild excess in the s-process element cerium, with $\rm [Ce/Fe] = +0.13\pm0.07$. △ Less

Submitted 19 September, 2023; originally announced September 2023.

Comments: 17 pages, 10 figures, 6 tables

Titans metal-poor reference stars II. Red giants and CEMP stars

Authors: Riano E. Giribaldi, Sophie Van Eck, Thibault Merle, Alain Jorissen, Pawel Krynski, Lea Planquart, Marica Valentini, Cristina Chiappini, Hans Van Winckel

Abstract: Representative samples of F-, G-, K-type stars located out of the Solar Neighbourhood has started to be available in spectroscopic surveys. The fraction of metal-poor ([Fe/H]~$\lesssim -0.8$~dex) giants becomes increasingly relevant to far distances. In metal-poor stars, effective temperatures ($T_{\mathrm{eff}}$) based on LTE spectroscopy and on former colour-$T_{\mathrm{eff}}$ relations of still… ▽ More Representative samples of F-, G-, K-type stars located out of the Solar Neighbourhood has started to be available in spectroscopic surveys. The fraction of metal-poor ([Fe/H]~$\lesssim -0.8$~dex) giants becomes increasingly relevant to far distances. In metal-poor stars, effective temperatures ($T_{\mathrm{eff}}$) based on LTE spectroscopy and on former colour-$T_{\mathrm{eff}}$ relations of still wide use have been reported to be inaccurate. It is necessary to re-calibrate chemical abundances based on these $T_{\mathrm{eff}}$ scales in the multiple available surveys to bring them to the same standard scale for their simultaneous use. For that, a complete sample of standards is required, which so far, is restricted to a few stars with quasi-direct $T_{\mathrm{eff}}$ measurements. We aim at providing a legacy sample of metal-poor standards with proven accurate atmospheric parameters. We add 47 giants to the sample of metal-poor dwarfs of Giribaldi et al. 2021, thereby constituting the Titans metal-poor reference stars. $T_{\mathrm{eff}}$ was derived by 3D non-LTE H$α$ modelling, whose accuracy was tested against interferometry and InfraRed Flux Method (IRFM). Surface gravity (log $g$) was derived by fitting Mg~I~b triplet lines, whose accuracy was tested against asteroseismology. Metallicity was derived using Fe II lines, which was verified to be identical to the [Fe/H] derived from non-LTE spectral synthesis. $T_{\mathrm{eff}}$ from 3D non-LTE H$α$ is equivalent to interferometric and IRFM temperatures within a $\pm$46~K uncertainty. We achieved precision of $\sim$50~K for 34 stars with spectra with the highest S/N. For log $g$, we achieved a total uncertainty of $\pm$0.15~dex. For [Fe/H], we obtained a total uncertainty of $\pm$0.09~dex. We find that the ionization equilibrium of Fe lines under LTE is not valid in metal-poor giants. △ Less

Submitted 19 August, 2023; originally announced August 2023.

Comments: Accepted in A&A

Journal ref: A&A 679, A110 (2023)

The evolution of the Milky Way's thin disc radial metallicity gradient with K2 asteroseismic ages

Authors: Emma Willett, Andrea Miglio, J. Ted Mackereth, Cristina Chiappini, Alexander J. Lyttle, Yvonne Elsworth, Benoît Mosser, Saniya Khan, Friedrich Anders, Giada Casali, Valeria Grisoni

Abstract: The radial metallicity distribution of the Milky Way's disc is an important observational constraint for models of the formation and evolution of our Galaxy. It informs our understanding of the chemical enrichment of the Galactic disc and the dynamical processes therein, particularly radial migration. We investigate how the metallicity changes with guiding radius in the thin disc using a sample of… ▽ More The radial metallicity distribution of the Milky Way's disc is an important observational constraint for models of the formation and evolution of our Galaxy. It informs our understanding of the chemical enrichment of the Galactic disc and the dynamical processes therein, particularly radial migration. We investigate how the metallicity changes with guiding radius in the thin disc using a sample of red-giant stars with robust astrometric, spectroscopic and asteroseismic parameters. Our sample contains $668$ stars with guiding radii $4$ kpc < $R_\mathrm{g}$ < $11$ kpc and asteroseismic ages covering the whole history of the thin disc with precision $\approx 25\%$. We use MCMC analysis to measure the gradient and its intrinsic spread in bins of age and construct a hierarchical Bayesian model to investigate the evolution of these parameters independently of the bins. We find a smooth evolution of the gradient from $\approx -0.07$ dex/kpc in the youngest stars to $\approx -0.04$ dex/kpc in stars older than $10$ Gyr, with no break at intermediate ages. Our results are consistent with those based on asteroseismic ages from CoRoT, with that found in Cepheid variables for stars younger than $1$ Gyr, and with open clusters for stars younger than $6$ Gyr. For older stars we find a significantly lower metallicity in our sample than in the clusters, suggesting a survival bias favouring more metal-rich clusters. We also find that the chemical evolution model of Chiappini (2009) is too metal-poor in the early stages of disc formation. Our results provide strong new constraints for the growth and enrichment of the thin disc and radial migration, which will facilitate new tests of model conditions and physics. △ Less

Submitted 26 July, 2023; originally announced July 2023.

Comments: 15 pages, 16 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS

Galactic ArchaeoLogIcaL ExcavatiOns (GALILEO) II. t-SNE Portrait of Local Fossil Relics and Structures

Authors: Mario Ortigoza-Urdaneta, Katherine Vieira, José G. Fernández-Trincado, Anna. B. A. Queiroz, Beatriz Barbuy, Timothy C. Beers, Cristina Chiappini, Friedrich Anders, Dante Minniti, Baitian Tang

Abstract: Based on high-quality APOGEE DR17 and Gaia DR3 data for 1,742 red giants stars within 5 kpc of the Sun and not rotating with the Galactic disc ($V_φ<$ 100 km s$^{-1}$), we use the nonlinear technique of unsupervised analysis t-SNE to detect coherent structures in the space of ten chemical-abundance ratios: [Fe/H], [O/Fe], [Mg/Fe], [Si/Fe], [Ca/Fe], [C/Fe], [N/Fe], [Al/Fe], [Mn/Fe], and [Ni/Fe]. Ad… ▽ More Based on high-quality APOGEE DR17 and Gaia DR3 data for 1,742 red giants stars within 5 kpc of the Sun and not rotating with the Galactic disc ($V_φ<$ 100 km s$^{-1}$), we use the nonlinear technique of unsupervised analysis t-SNE to detect coherent structures in the space of ten chemical-abundance ratios: [Fe/H], [O/Fe], [Mg/Fe], [Si/Fe], [Ca/Fe], [C/Fe], [N/Fe], [Al/Fe], [Mn/Fe], and [Ni/Fe]. Additionally, we obtain orbital parameters for each star using the non-axisymmetric gravitational potential {\tt GravPot16}. Seven structures are detected, including the Splash, Gaia-Sausage-Enceladus (GSE), the high-$α$ heated-disc population, N-C-O peculiar stars, and inner disk-like stars, plus two other groups that did not match anything previously reported in the literature, here named Galileo 5 and Galileo 6 (G5 and G6). These two groups overlap with Splash in [Fe/H], G5 being lower metallicity than G6, both between GSE and Splash in the [Mg/Mn] versus [Al/Fe] plane, G5 in the $α$-rich in-situ locus, and G6 on the border of the $α$-poor in-situ one; nonetheless their low [Ni/Fe] hints to a possible ex-situ origin. Their orbital energy distributions are between the Splash and GSE, with G5 being slightly more energetic than G6. We verified the robustness of all the obtained groups by exploring a large range of t-SNE parameters, applying it to various subsets of data, and also measuring the effect of abundance errors through Monte Carlo tests. △ Less

Submitted 14 June, 2023; originally announced June 2023.

Comments: Accepted by A&A. 19 pages, 15 figures, and 3 tables

Journal ref: A&A 676, A140 (2023)

Beyond Gaia DR3: Tracing the [$α$/M]-[M/H] bimodality from the inner to the outer Milky Way disc with Gaia-RVS and convolutional neural networks

Authors: G. Guiglion, S. Nepal, C. Chiappini, S. Khoperskov, G. Traven, A. B. A. Queiroz, M. Steinmetz, M. Valentini, Y. Fournier, A. Vallenari, K. Youakim, M. Bergemann, S. Mészáros, S. Lucatello, R. Sordo, S. Fabbro, I. Minchev, G. Tautvaišienė, Š. Mikolaitis, J. Montalbán

Abstract: In June 2022, Gaia DR3 has provided the astronomy community with about one million spectra from the Radial Velocity Spectrometer (RVS) covering the CaII triplet region. However, one-third of the published spectra have 15<S/N<25 per pixel such that they pose problems for classical spectral analysis pipelines, and therefore, alternative ways to tap into these large datasets need to be devised. We ai… ▽ More In June 2022, Gaia DR3 has provided the astronomy community with about one million spectra from the Radial Velocity Spectrometer (RVS) covering the CaII triplet region. However, one-third of the published spectra have 15<S/N<25 per pixel such that they pose problems for classical spectral analysis pipelines, and therefore, alternative ways to tap into these large datasets need to be devised. We aim to leverage the versatility and capabilities of machine learning techniques for supercharged stellar parametrisation by combining Gaia-RVS spectra with the full set of Gaia products and high-resolution, high-quality ground-based spectroscopic reference datasets. We developed a hybrid convolutional neural network (CNN) that combines the Gaia DR3 RVS spectra, photometry (G, G_BP, G_RP), parallaxes, and XP coefficients to derive atmospheric parameters (Teff, log(g) as well as overall [M/H]) and chemical abundances ([Fe/H] and [α/M]). We trained the CNN with a high-quality training sample based on APOGEE DR17 labels. With this CNN, we derived homogeneous atmospheric parameters and abundances for 886080 RVS stars that show remarkable precision and accuracy compared to external datasets (such as GALAH and asteroseismology). The CNN is robust against noise in the RVS data, and we derive very precise labels down to S/N=15. We managed to characterise the [α/M]-[M/H] bimodality from the inner regions to the outer parts of the Milky Way, which has never been done using RVS spectra or similar datasets. This work is the first to combine machine learning with such diverse datasets and paves the way for large-scale machine learning analysis of Gaia-RVS spectra from future data releases. Large, high-quality datasets can be optimally combined thanks to the CNN, thereby realising the full power of spectroscopy, astrometry, and photometry. △ Less

Submitted 10 November, 2023; v1 submitted 8 June, 2023; originally announced June 2023.

Comments: Accepted for publication in A&A. Catalog available online soon. Please contact the corresponding authors for any inquiry on the catalog or ML codes. 26 pages, 29 figures

Time evolution of Ce as traced by APOGEE using giant stars observed with the Kepler, TESS and K2 missions

Authors: G. Casali, V. Grisoni, A. Miglio, C. Chiappini, M. Matteuzzi, L. Magrini, E. Willett, G. Cescutti, F. Matteucci, A. Stokholm, M. Tailo, J. Montalban, Y. Elsworth, B. Mosser

Abstract: Abundances of s-capture process elements in stars with exquisite asteroseismic, spectroscopic, and astrometric constraints offer a novel opportunity to study stellar evolution, nucleosynthesis, and Galactic chemical evolution. We aim to investigate one of the least studied s-process elements in the literature, Ce, using stars with asteroseismic constraints from the Kepler, K2 and TESS missions. We… ▽ More Abundances of s-capture process elements in stars with exquisite asteroseismic, spectroscopic, and astrometric constraints offer a novel opportunity to study stellar evolution, nucleosynthesis, and Galactic chemical evolution. We aim to investigate one of the least studied s-process elements in the literature, Ce, using stars with asteroseismic constraints from the Kepler, K2 and TESS missions. We combine the global asteroseismic parameters derived from precise light curves obtained by the Kepler, K2 and TESS missions with chemical abundances from the APOGEE DR17 survey and astrometric data from the Gaia mission. Finally, we compute stellar ages using the code PARAM. We investigate the different trends of [Ce/Fe] as a function of [Fe/H], [alpha/Fe] and age considering the dependence on the radial position, specially in the case of K2 targets which cover a large Galactocentric range. We, finally, explore the [Ce/alpha] ratios as a function of age in different Galactocentric intervals. The studied trends display a strong dependence of the Ce abundances on [Fe/H] and star formation history. Indeed, the [Ce/Fe] ratio shows a non-monotonic dependence on [Fe/H] with a peak around -0.2 dex. Moreover, younger stars have higher [Ce/Fe] and [Ce/alpha] ratios than older stars, confirming the latest contribution of low- and intermediate-mass asymptotic giant branch stars to the Galactic chemical enrichment. In addition, the trends of [Ce/Fe] and [Ce/alpha] with age become steeper moving towards the outer regions of the Galactic disc, demonstrating a more intense star formation in the inner regions than in the outer regions. Ce is thus a potentially interesting element to help constraining stellar yields and the inside-out formation of the Milky Way disc. However, the large scatter in all the relations studied here, suggests that spectroscopic uncertainties for this element are still too large. △ Less

Submitted 10 May, 2023; originally announced May 2023.

Comments: Accepted for publication in A&A, 18 pages, 18 figures

Journal ref: A&A 677, A60 (2023)

Spectroscopic age estimates for APOGEE red-giant stars: Precise spatial and kinematic trends with age in the Galactic disc

Authors: F. Anders, P. Gispert, B. Ratcliffe, C. Chiappini, I. Minchev, S. Nepal, A. B. A. Queiroz, J. A. S. Amarante, T. Antoja, G. Casali, L. Casamiquela, A. Khalatyan, A. Miglio, H. Perottoni, M. Schultheis

Abstract: Over the last few years, many studies have found an empirical relationship between the abundance of a star and its age. Here we estimate spectroscopic stellar ages for 178 825 red-giant stars observed by the APOGEE survey with a median statistical uncertainty of 17%. To this end, we use the supervised machine learning technique XGBoost, trained on a high-quality dataset of 3060 red-giant and red-c… ▽ More Over the last few years, many studies have found an empirical relationship between the abundance of a star and its age. Here we estimate spectroscopic stellar ages for 178 825 red-giant stars observed by the APOGEE survey with a median statistical uncertainty of 17%. To this end, we use the supervised machine learning technique XGBoost, trained on a high-quality dataset of 3060 red-giant and red-clump stars with asteroseismic ages observed by both APOGEE and Kepler. After verifying the obtained age estimates with independent catalogues, we investigate some of the classical chemical, positional, and kinematic relationships of the stars as a function of their age. We find a very clear imprint of the outer-disc flare in the age maps and confirm the recently found split in the local age-metallicity relation. We present new and precise measurements of the Galactic radial metallicity gradient in small age bins between 0.5 and 12 Gyr, confirming a steeper metallicity gradient for $\sim2-5$ Gyr old populations and a subsequent flattening for older populations mostly produced by radial migration. In addition, we analyse the dispersion about the abundance gradient as a function of age. We find a clear power-law trend (with an exponent $β\approx0.15$) for this relation, indicating a relatively smooth radial migration history in the Galactic disc over the past $7-9$ Gyr. Departures from this power law may possibly be related to the Gaia Enceladus merger and passages of the Sagittarius dSph galaxy. Finally, we confirm previous measurements showing a steepening in the age-velocity dispersion relation at around $\sim9$ Gyr, but now extending it over a large extent of the Galactic disc (5 kpc $<R_{\rm Gal}<13$ kpc). [Abridged] △ Less

Submitted 28 August, 2023; v1 submitted 17 April, 2023; originally announced April 2023.

Comments: 16 pages + 5 pages appendix, accepted for publication in A&A. Data and analysis code available at https://github.com/fjaellet/xgboost_chem_ages

Journal ref: A&A 678, A158 (2023)

StarHorse results for spectroscopic surveys + Gaia DR3: Chrono-chemical populations in the solar vicinity, the genuine thick disk, and young-alpha rich stars

Authors: Anna B. A. Queiroz, Friedrich Anders, Cristina Chiappini, Arman Khalatyan, Basilio X. Santiago, Samir Nepal, Matthias Steinmetz, Carme Gallart, Marica Valentini, Marina Dal Ponte, Beatriz Barbuy, Angeles Pérez-Villegas, Thomas Masseron, José G. Fernández-Trincado, Sergey Khoperskov, Ivan Minchev, Emma Fernández-Alvar, Richard R. Lane, Christian Nitschelm

Abstract: The Gaia mission has provided an invaluable wealth of astrometric data for more than a billion stars in our Galaxy. The synergy between Gaia astrometry, photometry, and spectroscopic surveys give us comprehensive information about the Milky Way. Using the Bayesian isochrone-fitting code StarHorse, we derive distances and extinctions for more than 10 million unique stars observed by both Gaia Data… ▽ More The Gaia mission has provided an invaluable wealth of astrometric data for more than a billion stars in our Galaxy. The synergy between Gaia astrometry, photometry, and spectroscopic surveys give us comprehensive information about the Milky Way. Using the Bayesian isochrone-fitting code StarHorse, we derive distances and extinctions for more than 10 million unique stars observed by both Gaia Data Release 3 as well as public spectroscopic surveys: GALAH DR3, LAMOST DR7 LRS, LAMOST DR7 MRS, APOGEE DR17, RAVE DR6, SDSS DR12 (optical spectra from BOSS and SEGUE), Gaia-ESO DR5 survey, and Gaia RVS part of Gaia DR3 release. We use StarHorse for the first time to derive stellar age for main-sequence turnoff and subgiant branch stars (MSTO-SGB), around 2.5 million stars with age uncertainties typically around 30%, 15% for only SGB stars, depending on the resolution of the survey. With the derived ages in hand, we investigate the chemical-age relations. In particular, the $α$ and neutron-capture element ratios versus age in the solar neighbourhood show trends similar to previous works, validating our ages. We use the chemical abundances from local subgiant samples of GALAH DR3, APOGEE DR17 and LAMOST MRS DR7 to map groups with similar chemical compositions and StarHorse ages with the dimensionality reduction technique t-SNE and the clustering algorithm HDBSCAN. We identify three distinct groups in all three samples. Their kinematic properties confirm them to be the genuine chemical thick disk, the thin disk and a considerable number of young alpha-rich stars. We confirm that the genuine thick disk's kinematics and age properties are radically different from those of the thin disk and compatible with high-redshift (z$\approx$2) star-forming disks with high dispersion velocities. △ Less

Submitted 17 March, 2023; originally announced March 2023.

Comments: 27 pages, 19 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics. Catalogues can be downloaded at https://data.aip.de/

Journal ref: A&A 673, A155 (2023)

Parameters for > 300 million Gaia stars: Bayesian inference vs. machine learning

Authors: F. Anders, A. Khalatyan, A. B. A. Queiroz, S. Nepal, C. Chiappini

Abstract: The Gaia Data Release 3 (DR3), published in June 2022, delivers a diverse set of astrometric, photometric, and spectroscopic measurements for more than a billion stars. The wealth and complexity of the data makes traditional approaches for estimating stellar parameters for the full Gaia dataset almost prohibitive. We have explored different supervised learning methods for extracting basic stellar… ▽ More The Gaia Data Release 3 (DR3), published in June 2022, delivers a diverse set of astrometric, photometric, and spectroscopic measurements for more than a billion stars. The wealth and complexity of the data makes traditional approaches for estimating stellar parameters for the full Gaia dataset almost prohibitive. We have explored different supervised learning methods for extracting basic stellar parameters as well as distances and line-of-sight extinctions, given spectro-photo-astrometric data (including also the new Gaia XP spectra). For training we use an enhanced high-quality dataset compiled from Gaia DR3 and ground-based spectroscopic survey data covering the whole sky and all Galactic components. We show that even with a simple neural-network architecture or tree-based algorithm (and in the absence of Gaia XP spectra), we succeed in predicting competitive results (compared to Bayesian isochrone fitting) down to faint magnitudes. We will present a new Gaia DR3 stellar-parameter catalogue obtained using the currently best-performing machine-learning algorithm for tabular data, XGBoost, in the near future. △ Less

Submitted 14 February, 2023; originally announced February 2023.

Comments: To appear in Highlights of Spanish Astrophysics XI, Proceedings of the XV Scientific Meeting of the Spanish Astronomical Society held on September 4 - 9, 2022, in La Laguna, Spain

The Eighteenth Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys: Targeting and First Spectra from SDSS-V

Authors: Andrés Almeida, Scott F. Anderson, Maria Argudo-Fernández, Carles Badenes, Kat Barger, Jorge K. Barrera-Ballesteros, Chad F. Bender, Erika Benitez, Felipe Besser, Dmitry Bizyaev, Michael R. Blanton, John Bochanski, Jo Bovy, William Nielsen Brandt, Joel R. Brownstein, Johannes Buchner, Esra Bulbul, Joseph N. Burchett, Mariana Cano Díaz, Joleen K. Carlberg, Andrew R. Casey, Vedant Chandra, Brian Cherinka, Cristina Chiappini, Abigail A. Coker , et al. (129 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The eighteenth data release of the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys (SDSS) is the first one for SDSS-V, the fifth generation of the survey. SDSS-V comprises three primary scientific programs, or "Mappers": Milky Way Mapper (MWM), Black Hole Mapper (BHM), and Local Volume Mapper (LVM). This data release contains extensive targeting information for the two multi-object spectroscopy programs (MWM and BHM),… ▽ More The eighteenth data release of the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys (SDSS) is the first one for SDSS-V, the fifth generation of the survey. SDSS-V comprises three primary scientific programs, or "Mappers": Milky Way Mapper (MWM), Black Hole Mapper (BHM), and Local Volume Mapper (LVM). This data release contains extensive targeting information for the two multi-object spectroscopy programs (MWM and BHM), including input catalogs and selection functions for their numerous scientific objectives. We describe the production of the targeting databases and their calibration- and scientifically-focused components. DR18 also includes ~25,000 new SDSS spectra and supplemental information for X-ray sources identified by eROSITA in its eFEDS field. We present updates to some of the SDSS software pipelines and preview changes anticipated for DR19. We also describe three value-added catalogs (VACs) based on SDSS-IV data that have been published since DR17, and one VAC based on the SDSS-V data in the eFEDS field. △ Less

Submitted 6 July, 2023; v1 submitted 18 January, 2023; originally announced January 2023.

Comments: Accepted to ApJS

Chrono-chemodynamical analysis of the globular cluster NGC 6355: Looking for the fundamental bricks of the Bulge

Authors: Stefano O. Souza, Heitor Ernandes, Marica Valentini, Beatriz Barbuy, Cristina Chiappini, Angeles Pérez-Villegas, Sergio Ortolani, Amâncio C. S. Friaça, Anna B. A. Queiroz, Eduardo Bica

Abstract: The information on Galactic assembly time is imprinted on the chemodynamics of globular clusters. This makes them important probes that help us to understand the formation and evolution of the Milky Way. Discerning between in-situ and ex-situ origin of these objects is difficult when we study the Galactic bulge, which is the most complex and mixed component of the Milky Way. To investigate the ear… ▽ More The information on Galactic assembly time is imprinted on the chemodynamics of globular clusters. This makes them important probes that help us to understand the formation and evolution of the Milky Way. Discerning between in-situ and ex-situ origin of these objects is difficult when we study the Galactic bulge, which is the most complex and mixed component of the Milky Way. To investigate the early evolution of the Galactic bulge, we analysed the globular cluster NGC 6355. We derived chemical abundances and kinematic and dynamic properties by gathering information from high-resolution spectroscopy with FLAMES-UVES, photometry with the Hubble Space Telescope, and Galactic dynamic calculations applied to the globular cluster NGC 6355. We derive an age of $13.2\pm1.1$ Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H]$=-1.39\pm0.08$ for NGC 6355, with $α$-enhancement of [$α$/Fe]$=+0.37\pm0.11$. The abundance pattern of the globular cluster is compatible with bulge field RR Lyrae stars and in-situ well-studied globular clusters. The orbital parameters suggest that the cluster is currently confined within the bulge volume when we consider a heliocentric distance of $8.54\pm0.19$ kpc and an extinction coefficient of $R_V = 2.84\pm0.02$. NGC 6355 is highly likely to come from the main bulge progenitor. {Nevertheless, it still} has a low probability of being formed from an accreted event because its age is uncertain and because of the combined [Mg/Mn] [Al/Fe] abundance. Its relatively low metallicity with respect to old and moderately metal-poor inner Galaxy clusters may suggest a low-metallicity floor for globular clusters that formed in-situ in the early Galactic bulge. △ Less

Submitted 18 January, 2023; v1 submitted 12 January, 2023; originally announced January 2023.

Comments: 20 pages, 26 figures, and 9 tables. Astronomy & Astrophysics, in press. Some minor corrections

Journal ref: A&A 671, A45 (2023)

Phase-space Properties and Chemistry of the Sagittarius Stellar Stream Down to the Extremely Metal-poor ($\rm[Fe/H] \lesssim -3$) Regime

Authors: Guilherme Limberg, Anna B. A. Queiroz, Hélio D. Perottoni, Silvia Rossi, João A. S. Amarante, Rafael M. Santucci, Cristina Chiappini, Angeles Pérez-Villegas, Young Sun Lee

Abstract: In this work, we study the phase-space and chemical properties of Sagittarius (Sgr) stream, the tidal tails produced by the ongoing destruction of Sgr dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxy, focusing on its very metal-poor (VMP; $\rm[Fe/H] < -2$) content. We combine spectroscopic and astrometric information from SEGUE and $Gaia$ EDR3, respectively, with data products from a new large-scale run of… ▽ More In this work, we study the phase-space and chemical properties of Sagittarius (Sgr) stream, the tidal tails produced by the ongoing destruction of Sgr dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxy, focusing on its very metal-poor (VMP; $\rm[Fe/H] < -2$) content. We combine spectroscopic and astrometric information from SEGUE and $Gaia$ EDR3, respectively, with data products from a new large-scale run of $\texttt{StarHorse}$ spectro-photometric code. Our selection criteria yields ${\sim}1600$ stream members, including ${>}200$ VMP stars. We find the leading arm ($b>0^\circ$) of Sgr stream to be more metal-poor, by ${\sim}0.2$ dex, than the trailing one ($b<0^\circ$). With a subsample of turnoff and subgiant stars, we estimate this substructure's stellar population to be ${\sim}1$ Gyr older than the thick disk's. With the aid of an $N$-body model of the Sgr system, we verify that simulated particles stripped earlier (${>}2$ Gyr ago) have present-day phase-space properties similar to lower-metallicity stream stars. Conversely, those stripped more recently (${<}2$ Gyr) are preferentially more akin to metal-rich ($\rm[Fe/H] > -1$) members of the stream. Such correlation between kinematics and chemistry can be explained by the existence of a dynamically hotter, less centrally-concentrated, and more metal-poor population in Sgr dSph prior to its disruption, implying that this galaxy was able to develop a metallicity gradient before its accretion. Finally, we discovered several carbon-enhanced metal-poor ($\rm[C/Fe] > +0.7$ and $\rm[Fe/H] \leq -1.5$) stars in Sgr stream, which is in tension with current observations of its remaining core where such objects are not found. △ Less

Submitted 2 April, 2023; v1 submitted 15 December, 2022; originally announced December 2022.

Comments: Accepted for ApJ. The arXiv was updated to match the accepted version

The Gaia-ESO Survey: Probing the lithium abundances in old metal-rich dwarf stars in the Solar vicinity

Authors: M. L. L. Dantas, G. Guiglion, R. Smiljanic, D. Romano, L. Magrini, T. Bensby, C. Chiappini, E. Franciosini, S. Nepal, G. Tautvaišienė, G. Gilmore, S. Randich, A. C. Lanzafame, U. Heiter, L. Morbidelli, L. Prisinzano, S. Zaggia

Abstract: We test a scenario in which radial migration could affect the Li abundance pattern of dwarf stars in the solar neighbourhood. This may confirm that the Li abundance in these stars can not serve as a probe for the Li abundance in the interstellar medium. We use the high-quality data (including Li abundances) from the 6th internal Data Release of the Gaia-ESO survey. In this sample, we group stars b… ▽ More We test a scenario in which radial migration could affect the Li abundance pattern of dwarf stars in the solar neighbourhood. This may confirm that the Li abundance in these stars can not serve as a probe for the Li abundance in the interstellar medium. We use the high-quality data (including Li abundances) from the 6th internal Data Release of the Gaia-ESO survey. In this sample, we group stars by similarity in chemical abundances via hierarchical clustering. Our analysis treats both measured Li abundances and upper limits. The Li envelope of the previously identified radially migrated stars is well below the benchmark meteoritic value (<3.26 dex); the star with the highest detected abundance has A(Li) = 2.76 dex. This confirms the previous trends observed for old dwarf stars (median ages $\sim$ 8 Gyr), where Li decreases for [Fe/H]$\gtrsim$0. This result acts as supporting evidence that the abundance of Li measured in the upper envelope of old dwarf stars should not be considered a proxy for the interstellar medium Li. Our scenario also indicates that the stellar yields for [M/H]>0 should not be decreased, as recently proposed in the literature. Our study backs the recent studies that claimed that old dwarfs on the hot side of the dip are efficient probes of the ISM abundance of Li, provided atomic diffusion does not lower significantly the initial Li abundance in the atmospheres of metal-rich objects. △ Less

Submitted 9 December, 2022; v1 submitted 25 November, 2022; originally announced November 2022.

Comments: 8 pages, 3 figures. Abridged abstract to fit ArXiv's requirements. Letter published in A&A Letters. Version after the language proofs

Journal ref: A&A 668, L7 (2022)

The Gaia-ESO Survey: Preparing the ground for 4MOST & WEAVE galactic surveys. Chemical evolution of lithium with machine learning

Authors: S. Nepal, G. Guiglion, R. S. de Jong, M. Valentini, C. Chiappini, M. Steinmetz, M. Ambrosch, E. Pancino, R. D. Jeffries, T. Bensby, D. Romano, R. Smiljanic, M. L. L. Dantas, G. Gilmore, S. Randich, A. Bayo, M. Bergemann, E. Franciosini, F. Jiménez-Esteban, P. Jofré, L. Morbidelli, G. G. Sacco, G. Tautvaišienė, S. Zaggia

Abstract: With its origin coming from several sources (Big Bang, stars, cosmic rays) and given its strong depletion during its stellar lifetime, the lithium element is of great interest as its chemical evolution in the Milky Way is not well understood at present. To help constrain stellar and galactic chemical evolution models, numerous and precise lithium abundances are necessary for a large range of evolu… ▽ More With its origin coming from several sources (Big Bang, stars, cosmic rays) and given its strong depletion during its stellar lifetime, the lithium element is of great interest as its chemical evolution in the Milky Way is not well understood at present. To help constrain stellar and galactic chemical evolution models, numerous and precise lithium abundances are necessary for a large range of evolutionary stages, metallicities, and Galactic volume. In the age of stellar parametrization on industrial scales, spectroscopic surveys such as APOGEE, GALAH, RAVE, and LAMOST have used data-driven methods to rapidly and precisely infer stellar labels (atmospheric parameters and abundances). To prepare the ground for future spectroscopic surveys such as 4MOST and WEAVE, we aim to apply machine learning techniques to lithium measurements and analyses. We trained a convolution neural network (CNN), coupling Gaia-ESO Survey iDR6 stellar labels (Teff, log(g), [Fe/H], and A(Li)) and GIRAFFE HR15N spectra, to infer the atm parameters and lithium abundances for ~40,000 stars. We show that the CNN properly learns the physics of the stellar labels, from relevant spectral features through a broad range of evolutionary stages and stellar parameters. The Li feature at 6707.8 A is successfully singled out by our CNN, among the thousands of lines. Rare objects such as Li-rich giants are found in our sample. This level of performance is achieved thanks to a meticulously built, high-quality, and homogeneous training sample. The CNN approach is very well adapted for the next generations of spectroscopic surveys aimed at studying (among other elements) lithium, such as the 4MIDABLE-LR/HR (4MOST Milky Way disk and bulge low- and high-resolution) surveys. In this context, the caveats of ML applications should be appropriately investigated, along with the realistic label uncertainties and upper limits for abundances. △ Less

Submitted 11 January, 2023; v1 submitted 18 August, 2022; originally announced August 2022.

Comments: A&A, accepted 05 December 2022, 23 pages, 23 figures. Codes and trained models available at https://github.com/SamirNepal/Li\_CNN\_2022

Journal ref: A&A 671, A61 (2023)

The Gaia-ESO Survey: Chemical evolution of Mg and Al in the Milky Way with Machine-Learning

Authors: M. Ambrosch, G. Guiglion, Š. Mikolaitis, C. Chiappini, G. Tautvaišienė, S. Nepal, G. Gilmore, S. Randich, T. Bensby, M. Bergemann, L. Morbidelli, E. Pancino, G. G. Sacco, R. Smiljanic, S. Zaggia, P. Jofré, F. M. Jiménez-Esteban

Abstract: We aim to prepare the machine-learning ground for the next generation of spectroscopic surveys, such as 4MOST and WEAVE. Our goal is to show that convolutional neural networks can predict accurate stellar labels from relevant spectral features in a physically meaningful way. We built a neural network and trained it on GIRAFFE spectra with associated stellar labels from the sixth internal Gaia-ESO… ▽ More We aim to prepare the machine-learning ground for the next generation of spectroscopic surveys, such as 4MOST and WEAVE. Our goal is to show that convolutional neural networks can predict accurate stellar labels from relevant spectral features in a physically meaningful way. We built a neural network and trained it on GIRAFFE spectra with associated stellar labels from the sixth internal Gaia-ESO data release. Our neural network predicts the atmospheric parameters Teff and log(g) as well as the chemical abundances [Mg/Fe], [Al/Fe], and [Fe/H] for 30115 stellar spectra. The scatter of predictions from eight slightly different network models shows a high internal precision of the network results: 24 K for Teff, 0.03 for log(g), 0.02 dex for [Mg/Fe], 0.03 dex for [Al/Fe], and 0.02 dex for [Fe/H]. The network gradients reveal that the network is inferring the labels in a physically meaningful way from spectral features. Validation with benchmark stars and several scientific applications confirm that our network predictions are accurate for individual stars and recover the properties of different stellar populations in the Milky Way galaxy. Such a study provides very good insights into the application of machine-learning for the spectral analysis of large-scale spectroscopic surveys, such as WEAVE and 4MIDABLE-LR and -HR (4MOST Milky Way disk and bulge low- and high-resolution). The community will have to put a substantial effort into building proactive training sets for machine-learning methods to minimize the possible systematics. △ Less

Submitted 18 August, 2022; originally announced August 2022.

Comments: Submitted to A&A

Journal ref: A&A 672, A46 (2023)