From actinides to zinc: Using the full abundance pattern of the brightest star in Reticulum II to distinguish between different r-process sites

TL;DR

This study uses detailed elemental abundances in a star from Reticulum II to explore the nature of its r-process enrichment, comparing observations with nucleosynthesis models to identify the likely astrophysical site.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed abundance pattern including actinides and third r-process peak elements in a star outside the Milky Way, offering new insights into r-process sites.

Findings

Abundance pattern matches solar r-process except for first peak.

First detection of Os and Ir outside the Milky Way.

Th/Eu ratio suggests an age inconsistent with current models.

Abstract

The ultra-faint dwarf galaxy Reticulum II was enriched by a rare and prolific r-process event, such as a neutron star merger. To investigate the nature of this event, we present high-resolution Magellan/MIKE spectroscopy of the brightest star in this galaxy. The high signal-to-noise allows us to determine the abundances of 41 elements, including the radioactive actinide element Th and first ever detections of third r-process peak elements (Os and Ir) in a star outside the Milky Way. The observed neutron-capture element abundances closely match the solar r-process component, except for the first r-process peak which is significantly lower than solar but matches other r-process enhanced stars. The ratio of first peak to heavier r-process elements implies the r-process site produces roughly equal masses of high and low electron fraction ejecta, within a factor of 2. We compare the detailed abundance pattern to predictions from nucleosynthesis calculations of neutron star mergers and magneto-rotationally driven jet supernovae, finding that nuclear physics uncertainties dominate over astrophysical uncertainties. We measure $\log\mbox{Th/Eu} = -0.84 \pm 0.06\,\text{(stat)} \pm 0.22\,\text{(sys)}$, somewhat lower than all previous Th/Eu observations. The youngest age we derive from this ratio is $21.7 \pm 2.8\,\text{(stat)} \pm 10.3\,\text{(sys)}$ Gyr, indicating that current initial production ratios do not well describe the r-process event in Reticulum II. The abundance of light elements up to Zn are consistent with extremely metal-poor Milky Way halo stars. They may eventually provide a way to distinguish between neutron star mergers and magneto-rotationally driven jet supernovae, but this would require more detailed knowledge of the chemical evolution of Reticulum II.