Abundance structure and chemical evolution of the Galactic disc

TL;DR

This study analyzes high-resolution spectra of 899 nearby F and G dwarf stars to investigate the chemical and structural differences between the thin and thick Galactic discs, revealing subtle population distinctions.

Contribution

It provides a homogeneous, detailed chemical and kinematic analysis of stars to better understand the Galactic disc's structure and evolution.

Findings

Clear chemical distinctions between thin and thick disc stars

Identification of stars with intermediate kinematic properties

Insights into the formation history of the Galactic disc

Abstract

We have obtained high-resolution, high signal-to-noise spectra for 899 F and G dwarf stars in the Solar neighbourhood. The stars were selected on the basis of their kinematic properties to trace the thin and thick discs, the Hercules stream, and the metal-rich stellar halo. A significant number of stars with kinematic properties 'in between' the thin and thick discs were also observed in order to in greater detail investigate the dichotomy of the Galactic disc. All stars have been homogeneously analysed, using the exact same methods, atomic data, model atmospheres, etc., and also truly differentially to the Sun. Hence, the sample is likely to be free from internal errors, allowing us to, in a multi-dimensional space consisting of detailed elemental abundances, stellar ages, and the full three-dimensional space velocities, reveal very small differences between the stellar populations.