# Spectroscopic detection of multiple populations in the ~2 Gyr old cluster Hodge 6 in the LMC

## TL;DR

This study spectroscopically detects multiple stellar populations in the ~2 Gyr old LMC cluster Hodge 6, revealing nitrogen-enriched sub-populations and suggesting a link between cluster age and the presence of multiple populations.

## Contribution

First spectroscopic detection of multiple populations in a ~2 Gyr old cluster, expanding understanding of cluster evolution and population diversity.

## Key findings

- Detection of nitrogen-enriched sub-population in Hodge 6
- Evidence of multiple populations in a ~2 Gyr old cluster
- Potential link between cluster age and multiple populations

## Abstract

We report the spectroscopic discovery of abundance spreads (i.e. multiple populations) in the ~2 Gyr old cluster in the LMC, Hodge 6. We use low resolution VLT FORS2 spectra of 15 member stars in the cluster to measure their CN and CH band strengths at ~3883 and 4300 A, respectively, as well as [C/Fe] and [N/Fe] abundances. We find a sub-population of 2 stars that are enriched in nitrogen, and we conclude that this sub-population is evidence of multiple populations in Hodge 6. This is the second ~2 Gyr old cluster (the first being NGC 1978 in the LMC) to show multiple populations and the first spectroscopic detection of MPs in a cluster of this age. This result is interesting as it hints at a possible relationship between the disappearance of extended main sequence turn-offs in clusters younger than ~2 Gyr and the onset of multiple populations at ~2 Gyr, which should be explored further.