First stars

Abstract

Context. A small fraction of extremely metal-poor (EMP) stars exhibit moderate to extreme excesses of heavy neutron-capture elements produced in the r-process. The production site(s) of these elements in the early Galaxy remain(s) unclear, as is the reason for their occasional enhancement in the otherwise regular pattern of abundances of elements up to the iron peak. The detailed abundance pattern of the heaviest elements in EMP stars provides insight into their origin and role in the chemical enrichment of the early Galaxy and in radioactive nucleochronology. Aims. The EMP giant star CS 31082-001 ([Fe/H] -2.9) exhibits an extreme enhancement of neutron-capture elements ([r/Fe] +1.7) with U and Th enhanced by a further +0.7 dex, and a minimum of blending by molecular lines such as CH or CN. A rich inventory of r-process element abundances was established previously from optical spectra. Here we aim to supplement these data with abundances from near-UV spectroscopy of the third-peak neutron-capture elements, which are crucial for understanding the synthesis of the heaviest elements. Methods. Near-UV spectra from HST/STIS were analysed with LTE model atmospheres and spectrum synthesis calculations to derive new abundances of Os, Ir, Pt, Au, Bi and Pb in CS 31082-001.