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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

How well can we determine ages and chemical abundances from spectral fitting of integrated light spectra?

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Author(s):
Goncalves, Geraldo [1] ; Coelho, Paula [1] ; Schiavon, Ricardo [2] ; Usher, Christopher [2]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Astron Geofis & Ciencias Atmosfer, Rua Matao 1226, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[2] Liverpool John Moores Univ, Astrophys Res Inst, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, Merseyside - England
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society; v. 499, n. 2, p. 2327-2339, DEC 2020.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

The pixel-to-pixel spectral fitting technique is often used in studies of stellar populations. It enables the user to infer several parameters from integrated light spectra such as ages and chemical abundances. In this paper, we examine the question of how the inferred parameters change with the choice of wavelength range used. We have employed two different libraries of integrated light spectra of globular clusters (GCs) from the literature and fitted them to stellar population models using the code STARLIGHT. We performed tests using different regions of the spectra to infer reddening, ages, {[}Fe/H], and {[}a/Fe]. Comparing our results to age values obtained from isochrone fitting and chemical abundances from high-resolution spectroscopy, we find that: (1) the inferred parameters change with the wavelength range used; (2) the method in general retrieves good reddening estimates, specially when a wider wavelength range is fitted; (3) the ideal spectral regions for determination of age, {[}Fe/H], and {[}a/Fe] are 4170-5540, 5280-7020, and 4828-5364 A, respectively; (4) the retrieved age values for old metal-poor objects can be several Gyr younger than those resulting from isochrone fitting. We conclude that, depending on the parameter of interest and the accuracy requirements, fitting the largest possible wavelength range may not necessarily be the best strategy. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 18/05392-8 - A new library of fully theoretical stellar population models
Grantee:Paula Rodrigues Teixeira Coelho
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants