Abundances in Some Population II K Giants.

Curve-of-growth analyses have been performed for four K giant stars, two in globular clusters, M13 and M92; a high-velocity star, HDE 232078; and a galactic cluster star (M41). The three population II stars show extreme metal deficiencies, the hydrogen/metal ratio being conservatively a factor of twenty to one hundred times greater than in the solar case. The anomaly may be greater by still another factor of 10. The analysis of the galactic cluster star is more uncertain, but, within experimental error, it possesses the solar value of hydrogen/metals. Abundances of various elements relative to iron are derived. In all the stars, these are generally within a factor of 5 of the solar values. An examination of these abundances in the light of the recent compilation of nucleogenesis mechanisms by Burbidge, Burbidge, Fowler, and Hoyle (1957) suggests that the e-process probably, and the s-process possibly, may need some modification.