The R-Process Alliance: 2MASS J09544277+5246414, the Most Actinide-Enhanced R-II Star Known

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of the most actinide-enhanced r-II star known, 2MASS J09544277+5246414, providing new insights into the r-process nucleosynthesis in the early universe.

Contribution

It presents the first confirmed actinide-boost star found by the R-Process Alliance, with detailed abundance measurements and age estimation, advancing understanding of r-process element production.

Findings

First confirmed actinide-boost star identified by RPA

Star has the highest known actinide enhancement among r-II stars

Estimated age of the star is approximately 13 billion years

Abstract

We report the discovery of a new actinide-boost star, 2MASS J09544277+5246414, originally identified as a very bright (V = 10.1), extremely metal-poor ([Fe/H] = -2.99) K giant in the LAMOST survey, and found to be highly r-process-enhanced (r-II; [Eu/Fe]= +1.28]), during the snapshot phase of the R-Process Alliance (RPA). Based on a high S/N, high-resolution spectrum obtained with the Harlan J. Smith 2.7-m telescope, this star is the first confirmed actinide-boost star found by RPA efforts. With an enhancement of [Th/Eu] = +0.37, 2MASS J09544277+5246414 is also the most actinide-enhanced r-II star yet discovered, and only the sixth metal-poor star with a measured uranium abundance ([U/Fe] = +1.40). Using the Th/U chronometer, we estimate an age of 13.0+/-4.7 Gyr for this star. The unambiguous actinide-boost signature of this extremely metal-poor star, combined with additional r-process-enhanced and actinide-boost stars identified by the RPA, will provide strong constraints on the nature and origin of the r-process at early times.