Other
Scientific paper
Aug 2001
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001noao.prop..127w&link_type=abstract
NOAO Proposal ID #2001B-0127
Other
Scientific paper
We propose to obtain MMT spectroscopy of HII regions in the outer disks of M31 and M81, to measure the chemical abundance of the interstellar gas. The enrichment of the ISM through the successive generations of stars is one of the fundamental processes that allows us to disentangle the evolutionary history of galaxies. The outer disk regions in particular, turn out to be crucial in constraining chemical evolution models. Our proposed observations are unique in several respects: (1) We have identified HII regions far from the center, in particular in the case of M81 (out to 2.4 R_25); (2) M31 and M81 are the two closest large early-type spirals, allowing accurate abundance determination, especially in the regime between 0.2-0.7 solar abundance where empirical indicators are degenerate; (3) M31 is the first major spiral other than our Milky Way where it is now possible to measure individual stellar abundances on 10-m class telescopes, and comparison with the gas phase abundances will become increasingly relevant. Previous M31 abundance measurements date back 20 years, and were limited to relatively few objects. The MMT observations supplement our extensive ARC 3.5-m spectroscopy of the brighter disk HII regions.
Chiappini Cristina
Kennicutt Rob
Thilker Dave
Walterbos Rene
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