PulseExploreJournal ClubDebatesTrendingResearchersJournals
Instagram
HomeExploreJournal ClubTrending
Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
February 8, 2026The Astrophysical Journal0 citationsOpen Access

Detailed Chemical Abundance Analysis of the Brightest Stars in the Turranburra and Willka Yaku Stellar Streams*

KWK. B. WebberTHT. T. HansenJMJ. L. Marshall

Key Points

  • The aim is to analyze the chemical abundances of the brightest stars in the Turranburra and Willka Yaku stellar streams.
  • Utilized high-resolution Magellan/Magellan Inamori Kyocera Echelle spectra for analysis.
  • Derived abundances for 27 elements from carbon to dysprosium.
  • Compared metallicity and abundance patterns of both stellar streams.
  • Turranburra has a low average metallicity of [Fe/H] = −2.45 ± 0.07, indicating a dwarf galaxy origin.
  • Willka Yaku shows [Fe/H] = -2.35 ± 0.03, consistent with a globular cluster progenitor.
  • Both streams exhibit moderate enhancements in neutron-capture elements, with typical values around [Eu II/Fe] = 0.47 and 0.44.

Abstract

Abstract We present a detailed chemical abundance analysis of the three brightest known stars from each of the Turranburra and Willka Yaku stellar streams using high-resolution Magellan/Magellan Inamori Kyocera Echelle spectra. Abundances for 27 elements, ranging from carbon to dysprosium, were derived. Our results support the original classification that Turranburra, with a low average metallicity of Fe/H = −2.45 ± 0.07, likely originates from a dwarf galaxy progenitor. Willka Yaku has a low average metallicity of Fe/H = −2.35 ± 0.03 with a small scatter in the abundances, consistent with a globular cluster progenitor as suggested by previous studies. Both streams exhibit mild enhancements in neutron-capture elements, with averages of Eu II /Fe = 0.47 ± 0.09 for Turranburra and 0.44 ± 0.05 for Willka Yaku, consistent with enrichment from an r -process event. A similar enrichment is observed in other stellar streams, and we further discuss this signature as it relates to the potential enrichment histories of these two streams.

Ask AI
Helpful
Bookmark
Share
View Full Paper

Cite This Study

Webber et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/698827a20fc35cd7a884673ahttps://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ae2d59
Ask AI
Helpful
Bookmark
Share
View Full Paper