The First Detection of Gas-Phase Lithium Beyond the Milky Way

Details The First Detection of Gas-Phase Lithium Beyond the Milky Way The First Detection of Gas-Phase Lithium Beyond the Milky Way

Jan 2010

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010aas...21535801h&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #215, #358.01; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 42, p.541

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

The cosmic abundance of lithium continues to represent a conundrum, as predictions from BBN theory are inconsistent with measurements in the atmospheres of the lowest-metallicity stars. While there are worries that systematic errors in the stelalr abundance determinations or modifications of the stellar Li abundances may play a role in this discrepancy, no satisfactory solution has yet been found. We suggest an alternate approach to studying the cosmic abundance of Li: measurements of interstellar gas-phase Li in low-metallicity environments. We present the first measurement of gas-phase Li in the Small Magellanic Cloud (at >16 sigma detection significance) using UVES at the VLT. This is the first such measurement beyond the Milky Way. While the total Li abundance derived from this measurement has associated systematic uncertainties, they are completely independent of those associated with measurements in low metallicity stellar atmospheres. We also present the first limits on the isotopic 7Li/6Li ratio in the gas of the Small Magellanic Cloud. We discuss the implications of our measurements and prospects for future advances.

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