Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Galaxy Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2009-06-12
Astrophys.J.699:L174-L177,2009
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Galaxy Astrophysics
5 pages, Accepted for publication in ApJ Letters
Scientific paper
10.1088/0004-637X/699/2/L174
Measurements based on a large number of red giant stars suggest a broad metallicity distribution function (MDF) for the Galactic bulge, centered on [Fe/H]=-0.1. However, recently, a new opportunity emerged to utilize temporary flux amplification (by factors of ~100 or more) of faint dwarf stars in the Bulge that are gravitationally lensed, making them observable with high-resolution spectrographs during a short observational window. Surprisingly, of the first 6 stars measured, 5 have [Fe/H]>+0.30, suggesting a highly skewed MDF, inconsistent with observations of giant stars. Here we present a detailed elemental abundance analysis of OGLE-2009-BLG-076S, based on a high-resolution spectrum obtained with the UVES spectrograph at the ESO Very Large Telescope. Our results indicate it is the most metal-poor dwarf star in the Bulge yet observed, with [Fe/H]=-0.76. Our results argue against a strong selection effect disfavoring metal-poor microlensed stars. It is possible that small number statistics is responsible for the giant/dwarf Bulge MDF discrepancy. Should this discrepancy survive when larger numbers of Bulge dwarf stars (soon to be available) are analyzed, it may require modification of our understanding of either Bulge formation models, or the behavior of metal-rich giant stars.
Adén Daniel
Bensby Thomas
Feltzing Sofia
Gal-Yam Avishay
Gould Andrew
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