The Galactic Thick Disk: An Observational Perspective

TL;DR

This review summarizes observational studies on the Galactic thick disk, focusing on its elemental abundances, kinematic and chemical properties, to understand its formation and evolution within the Milky Way.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of observational evidence linking the thick disk's properties to galaxy formation processes.

Findings

Thick disk is a distinct Galactic component.

Elemental abundance patterns reveal its formation history.

Kinematic and chemical data constrain galaxy evolution models.

Abstract

In this review, we present a brief description of observational efforts to understand the Galactic thick disk and its relation to the other Galactic components. This review primarily focused on elemental abundance patterns of the thick disk population to pin down the process or processes that were responsible for its existence and evolution. Kinematic and chemical properties of disk stars establish that the thick disk is a distinct component in the Milky Way. The chemical enrichment and star formation histories hold clues to the bigger picture of understanding the Galaxy formation.