The Gaia -ESO survey: Open clusters as tracers of galactic chemical evolution

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Aims . We investigate the formation and evolutionary trajectory of the Milky Way’s inner and outer galactic regions using stars from open clusters in the Gaia -ESO OC survey. Methods . Using numerical simulations from Chempy, we leveraged Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling techniques to derive galactic evolutionary parameters for each open cluster by fitting measured abundances of elements C, N, O, Mg, Si, Ca, Ti, Fe, Mn, Zn, Y, and Ba. Results . We find differing evolutionary histories between the inner and outer regions of the Milky Way that align with variations in the slope of the initial mass function, the rate of Type Ia supernovae, and the galactic metallicity gradient traced by open clusters. Conclusions . Our results support established galactic formation and evolutionary theories, highlighting that the inner Galaxy had a short and intense early star formation epoch followed by reduced activity. In contrast, the outer Galaxy maintained a more sustained star formation history.