Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of Chemically Peculiar Stars

Abstract

This discussion focuses on high dispersion spectroscopic observations of chemically peculiar (CP) stars of the upper main sequence, classical HgMn, Si and SrCrEu stars, obtained with the IUE. Two subjects will be emphasized - the confirmation of composition anomalies previously identified in ground-based spectra and evidence relating to the validity of the diffusion theory for the production of chemical pecularities.The gallium anomaly occurs primarily in the hotter Mn stars (Cowley 1975). Model atmospheres analyses of Mn stars yield overabundances of Ga as large as 2×105 relative to the solar value (Heacox 1979). The identification of the Ga peculiarity and estimates of Ga abundances are based upon a few high excitation lines observed in the blue. Figure 1 illustrates the resonance line of GaII, λ1414.44, observed in six Mn stars. The feature is strong and broad in the hotter stars, к Cnc and μ Lep. It is present but weaker in 46 Dra (A+B). It is absent in the cooler stars г CrB, χ Lup and HR 4072. The sharp feature seen near λ1414.4 in the latter three stars is probably Mnll and is also seen in normal stars. The Gall λ1414.44 line varies in strength from star-to-star in the same manner as the blue Gall lines. The absence of the blue Gall lines in cool Mn stars cannot be an excitation effect, since the resonance line is also absent in these stars. Neither can the presence of the blue Gall lines in hotter Mn stars be due to non-LTE effects, because the resonance line is also abnormally strong in these stars. The IUE observations confirm the Ga peculiarity as a genuine abundance anomaly.