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The combination of detection techniques enhances our ability to identify companions orbiting nearby stars. We employed high-contrast imaging to constrain mass and separation of possible companions responsible for the significant proper motion anomalies of the nearby stars HIP 11696, HIP 47110, and HIP 36277. These targets were observed using the LBT's high-contrast camera, SHARK-NIR, in H band using a Gaussian coronagraph, and with the LMIRCam instrument in the L ' band and using a vAPP coronagraph. Both observations were conducted simultaneously. Additionally, constraints at short separations from the host star are derived analysing the renormalized unit weight error values from the Gaia catalogue. We find that the companion responsible for the anomaly signal of HIP 11696 is likely positioned at a distance from 2.5 to 28 astronomical units from its host. Its mass is estimated to be between 4 and 16 Jupiter masses, with the greater mass possible only at the upper end of the separation range. Similar limits were obtained for HIP 47110 where the companion should reside between 3 and 30 au with a mass between 3 and 10 MJup. For HIP 36277, we identified a faint stellar companion at large separation, though it might be substellar depending on the assumed age for the star. Considering the older age, this object accounts for the absolute value of the PMa vector but not for its direction. Additionally, we found a substellar candidate companion at a closer separation that could explain the PMa signal, considering a younger age for the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spectroscopic analyses of young late-type stars suffer from systematic inaccuracies, typically underestimating metallicities but overestimating abundances of certain elements including oxygen and barium. Effects are stronger in younger and cooler stars, and recent evidence specifically indicates a connection to the level of chromospheric activity. We present here a two-component spectroscopic model representing a non-magnetic baseline plus a magnetic spot, and analyse the resulting synthetic spectra of young solar analogues using a standard spectroscopic technique. For a moderately active star with solar parameters and chromospheric activity index |$\log R_\text{HK}^{\prime }= -4.3$| (⁠|$\sim 100$|  Myr), we predict that |$\left[\textrm {Fe/H}\right]$| is underestimated by 0.06 dex while |$v_\textrm {mic}$| is overestimated by 0.2 km s |$^{-1}$|⁠ ; for higher activity levels we predict effects as large as 0.2 dex and 0.7 km s |$^{-1}$|⁠. Predictions are in agreement with literature data on solar twins, and indicate that the model is a plausible explanation to the observed effects. The model is simple enough that it can be included in spectroscopic packages with only changes to the underlying spectrum synthesis modules, if a |$\log R_\text{HK}^{\prime }$| value is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open clusters are unique tracers of the history of our own Galaxy's disc. According to our membership analysis based on Gaia astrometry, out of the 226 potential clusters falling in the footprint of the GALactic Archaeology with HERMES (GALAH) survey or the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) survey, we find that 205 have secure members that were observed by at least one of the surveys. Furthermore, members of 134 clusters have high-quality spectroscopic data that we use to determine their chemical composition. We leverage this information to study the chemical distribution throughout the Galactic disc of 21 elements, from C to Eu. The radial metallicity gradient obtained from our analysis is −0.076 ± 0.009 dex kpc−1, which is in agreement with previous works based on smaller samples. Furthermore, the gradient in the [Fe/H]–guiding radius (r guid) plane is −0.073 ± 0.008 dex kpc−1. We show consistently that open clusters trace the distribution of chemical elements throughout the Galactic disc differently than field stars. In particular, at the given radius, open clusters show an age–metallicity relation that has less scatter than field stars. As such scatter is often interpreted as an effect of radial migration, we suggest that these differences are due to the physical selection effect imposed by our Galaxy: clusters that would have migrated significantly also had higher chances to get destroyed. Finally, our results reveal trends in the [X/Fe]– r guid–age space, which are important to understand production rates of different elements as a function of space and time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent observations of resolved cold debris discs at tens of au have revealed that gaps could be a common feature in these Kuiper-belt analogues. Such gaps could be evidence for the presence of planets within the gaps or closer in near the edges of the disc. We present SPHERE observations of HD 92945 and HD 107146, two systems with detected gaps. We constrained the mass of possible companions responsible for the gap to 1–2  M Jup for planets located inside the gap and to less than 5  M Jup for separations down to 20 au from the host star. These limits allow us to exclude some of the possible configurations of the planetary systems proposed to explain the shape of the discs around these two stars. In order to put tighter limits on the mass at very short separations from the star, where direct-imaging data are less effective, we also combined our data with astrometric measurements from Hipparcos and Gaia and radial-velocity measurements. We were able to limit the separation and the mass of the companion potentially responsible for the proper-motion anomaly of HD 107146 to values of 2–7 au and 2–5  M Jup, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The determination of the fundamental properties (mass, separation, age, gravity, and atmospheric properties) of brown dwarf companions allows us to infer crucial informations on their formation and evolution mechanisms. Spectroscopy of substellar companions is available to date only for a limited number of objects (and mostly at very low resolution, R  < 50) because of technical limitations, i.e. contrast and angular resolution. We present medium resolution (R  = 350), coronagraphic long-slit spectroscopic observations with SPHERE of two substellar companions, HD 1160 B and HD 19467 B. We found that HD 1160 B has a peculiar spectrum that cannot be fitted by spectra in current spectral libraries. A good fit is possible only considering separately the Y + J and the H spectral band. The spectral type is between M5 and M7. We also estimated a T eff of 2800–2900 K and a log  g of 3.5–4.0 dex. The low surface gravity seems to favour young age (10–20 Myr) and low mass (∼20 MJup ) for this object. HD 19467 B is instead a fully evolved object with a T eff of ∼1000 K and log  g of ∼5.0 dex. Its spectral type is T6 ± 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the discovery of a white dwarf companion at ∼3.6 arcsec from GJ 3346, a nearby (π ∼ 42 mas) K star observed with SPHERE@VLT as part of an open time survey for faint companions to objects with significant proper motion discrepancies (Δμ) between Gaia DR1 and Tycho-2. Syrius-like systems like GJ 3346 AB, which include a main-sequence star and a white dwarf, can be difficult to detect because of the intrinsic faintness of the latter. They have, however, been found to be common contaminants for direct imaging (DI) searches. White dwarfs have in fact similar brightness to substellar companions in the infrared, while being much brighter in the visible bands like those used by Gaia. Combining our observations with Gaia DR2 and with several additional archival data sets, we were able to fully constrain the physical properties of GJ 3346 B, such as its effective temperature (11 × 103 ± 500 K) as well as the cooling age of the system (648 ± 58 Myr). This allowed us to better understand the system history and to partially explain the discrepancies previously noted in the age indicators for this object. Although further investigation is still needed, it seems that GJ 3346, which was previously classified as young, is in fact most likely to be older than 4 Gyr. Finally, given that the mass (0.58 ± 0.01 M⊙) and separation (85 au) of GJ 3346 B are compatible with the observed Δμ, this discovery represents a further confirmation of the potential of this kind of dynamical signatures as selection methods for DI surveys targeting faint, substellar companions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HD 163296 is a Herbig Ae/Be star known to host a protoplanetary disc with a ringed structure. To explain the disc features, previous works proposed the presence of planets embedded into the disc. We have observed HD 163296 with the near-infrared (NIR) branch of SPHERE composed by IRDIS (InfraRed Dual-band Imager and Spectrograph) and IFS (integral field spectrograph) with the aim to put tight constraints on the presence of substellar companions around this star. Despite the low rotation of the field of view during our observation we were able to put upper mass limits of few MJup around this object. These limits do not allow to give any definitive conclusion about the planets proposed through the disc characteristics. On the other hand, our results seem to exclude the presence of the only candidate proposed until now using direct imaging in the NIR even if some caution has to be taken considered the different wavelength bands of the two observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several recent spectroscopic investigations have presented conflicting results on the existence of Na-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in the Galactic globular cluster M 4 (NGC 6121). The studies disagree on whether or not Na-rich red giant branch (RGB) stars evolve to the AGB. For a sample of previously published HERMES/AAT AGB and RGB stellar spectra, we present a re-analysis of O, Na, and Fe abundances, and a new analysis of Mg and Al abundances; we also present CN band strengths for this sample, derived from low-resolution AAOmega spectra. Following a detailed literature comparison, we find that the AGB samples of all studies consistently show lower abundances of Na and Al, and are weaker in CN, than RGB stars in the cluster. This is similar to recent observations of AGB stars in NGC 6752 and M 62. In an attempt to explain this result, we present new theoretical stellar evolutionary models for M 4; however, these predict that all stars, including Na-rich RGB stars, evolve on to the AGB. We test the robustness of our abundance results using a variety of atmospheric models and spectroscopic methods; however, we do not find evidence that systematic modelling uncertainties can explain the apparent lack of Na-rich AGB stars in M 4. We conclude that an unexplained, but robust, discordance between observations and theory remains for the AGB stars in M 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from the GALAH pilot survey, we determine properties of the Galactic thin and thick discs near the solar neighbourhood. The data cover a small range of Galactocentric radius (7.9 ≤ RGC ≤ 9.5 kpc), but extend up to 4 kpc in height from the Galactic plane, and several kpc in the direction of Galactic anti-rotation (at longitude 260° ≤ ℓ ≤ 280°). This allows us to reliably measure the vertical density and abundance profiles of the chemically and kinematically defined 'thick' and 'thin' discs of the Galaxy. The thin disc (low-α population) exhibits a steep negative vertical metallicity gradient, at d[M/H]/dz = -0.18 ± 0.01 dex kpc-1, which is broadly consistent with previous studies. In contrast, its vertical α-abundance profile is almost flat, with a gradient of d[α/M]/dz = 0.008 ± 0.002 dex kpc-1. The steep vertical metallicity gradient of the low-α population is in agreement with models where radial migration has a major role in the evolution of the thin disc. The thick disc (high-α population) has a weaker vertical metallicity gradient d[M/H]/dz = -0.058 ± 0.003 dex kpc-1. The α- abundance of the thick disc is nearly constant with height, d[α/M]/dz = 0.007 ± 0.002 dex kpc-1. The negative gradient in metallicity and the small gradient in [α/M] indicate that the high-α population experienced a settling phase, but also formed prior to the onset of major Type Ia supernova enrichment. We explore the implications of the distinct α-enrichments and narrow [α/M] range of the sub-populations in the context of thick disc formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been well established that Galactic Globular clusters (GCs) harbour more than one stellar population, distinguishable by the anticorrelations of light-element abundances (C-N, Na-O, and Mg-Al). These studies have been extended recently to the asymptotic giant branch (AGB). Here, we investigate the AGB of NGC6397 for the first time. We have performed an abundance analysis of high-resolution spectra of 47 red giant branch (RGB) and eight AGB stars, deriving Fe, Na, O, Mg, and Al abundances. We find that NGC6397 shows no evidence of a deficit in Na-rich AGB stars, as reported for some other GCs - the subpopulation ratios of the AGB and RGB in NGC6397 are identical, within uncertainties. This agrees with expectations from stellar theory. This GC acts as a control for our earlier work on the AGB of M4 (with contrasting results), since the same tools and methods were used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we analyse the evolutionary status and properties of the old open cluster NGC 2355, located in the Galactic anticentre direction, as a part of the long-term programme Bologna Open Clusters Chemical Evolution. NGC 2355 was observed with the Large Binocular Camera at the Large Binocular Telescope using the Bessel B, V, and Ic filters. The cluster parameters have been obtained using the synthetic colour–magnitude diagram method, as done in other papers of this series. Additional spectroscopic observations with the Fibre-fed Echelle Spectrograph at the Nordic Optical Telescope of three giant stars were used to determine the chemical properties of the cluster. Our analysis shows that NGC 2355 has metallicity slightly less than solar, with [Fe/H]= −0.06 dex, age between 0.8 and 1 Gyr, reddening E(B − V) in the range 0.14–0.19 mag, and distance modulus (m − M)0 of about 11 mag. We also investigate the abundances of O, Na, Al, α, iron-peak, and neutron capture elements, showing that NGC 2355 falls within the abundance distribution of similar clusters (same age and metallicity). The Galactocentric distance of NGC 2355 places it at the border between two regimes of metallicity distribution; this makes it an important cluster for the study of the chemical properties and evolution of the disc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using photometry and high-resolution spectroscopy we investigate for the first time the physical connection between the open clusters NGC 5617 and Trumpler 22. Based on new CCD photometry we report their spatial proximity and common age of ~70 Myr. Based on highresolution spectra collected using the HERMES and UCLES spectrographs on the Anglo- Australian telescope, we present radial velocities and abundances for Fe, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, and Ni. The measured radial velocities are -38.63 ± 2.25 km s-1 for NGC 5617 and -38.46 ± 2.08 km s-1 for Trumpler 22. The mean metallicity of NGC 5617 was found to be [Fe/H]=-0.18 ± 0.02 and for Trumpler 22 was found to be [Fe/H]=-0.17 ± 0.04. The two clusters share similar abundances across the other elements, indicative of a common chemical enrichment history of these clusters. Together with common motions and ages we confirm that NGC 5617 and Trumpler 22 are a primordial binary cluster pair in the Milky Way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of multiple populations in globular clusters has been well established thanks to high-resolution spectroscopy. It is widely accepted that distinct populations are a consequence of different stellar generations: intracluster pollution episodes are required to produce the peculiar chemistry observed in almost all clusters. Unfortunately, the progenitors responsible have left an ambiguous signature and their nature remains unresolved. To constrain the candidate polluters, we have measured lithium and aluminium abundances in more than 180 giants across three systems: NGC 1904, NGC 2808, and NGC 362. The present investigation along with our previous analysis of M12 and M5 affords us the largest data base of simultaneous determinations of Li and Al abundances. Our results indicate that Li production has occurred in each of the three clusters. In NGC 362, we detected an M12-like behaviour, with first- and second-generation stars sharing very similar Li abundances favouring a progenitor that is able to produce Li, such as asymptotic giant branches stars. Multiple progenitor types are possible in NGC 1904 and NGC 2808, as they possess both an intermediate population comparable in lithium to the first generation stars and also an extreme population, that is enriched in Al but depleted in Li. A simple dilution model fails in reproducing this complex pattern. Finally, the internal Li variation seems to suggest that the production efficiency of this element is a function of the cluster's mass and metallicity - low-mass or relatively metal-rich clusters are more adept at producing Li. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a study of the kinematics of the remote globular cluster NGC 5694 based on GIRAFFE@VLT medium-resolution spectra. A sample of 165 individual stars selected to lie on the red giant branch in the cluster colour-magnitude diagram was considered. Using radial velocity and metallicity from Calcium triplet, we were able to select 83 bona fide cluster members. The addition of six previously known members leads to a total sample of 89 cluster giants with typical uncertainties ≤1.0?km?s-1 in their radial velocity estimates. The sample covers a wide range of projected distances from the cluster centre, from ~0.2 arcmin to 6.5 arcmin ≃ 23 half-light radii (rh). We find only very weak rotation, as typical of metal-poor globular clusters. The velocity dispersion gently declines from a central value of σ = 6.1 km s-1 to σ ≃ 2.5 km s-1 at ~2 arcmin ≃ 7.1rh, then it remains flat out to the next (and last) measured point of the dispersion profile, at ~4 arcmin ≃ 14.0rh, at odds with the predictions of isotropic King models. We show that both isotropic single-mass non-collisional models and multimass anisotropic models can reproduce the observed surface brightness and velocity dispersion profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of a spectroscopic survey of red giants in the globular cluster Terzan 8 with the aim of studying its kinematics. We derived accurate radial velocities for 82 stars located in the innermost 7 arcmin from the cluster centre identifying 48 bona fide cluster members. The kinematics of the cluster have been compared with a set of dynamical models accounting for the effect of mass segregation and a variable fraction of binaries. The derived velocity dispersion appears to be larger than that predicted for mass-segregated stellar systems without binaries, indicating that either the cluster is dynamically young or it contains a large fraction of binaries (>30 per cent). We detected seven stars with a radial velocity compatible with the cluster systemic velocity but with chemical patterns which stray from those of both the cluster and the Galactic field. These stars are likely members of the Sagittarius stream surrounding this stellar system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We explore the possible connection between the open cluster IC 2391 and the unbound Argus association identified by the search for associations containing young stars survey. In addition to common kinematics and ages between these two systems, here we explore their chemical abundance patterns to confirm if the two substructures shared a common origin. We carry out a homogenous high-resolution elemental abundance study of eight confirmed members of IC 2391 as well as six members of the Argus association using UVES spectra. We derive spectroscopic stellar parameters and abundances for Fe, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Ti, Cr, Ni and Ba.All stars in the open cluster and Argus association were found to share similar abundances with the scatter well within the uncertainties, where [Fe/H] = −0.04 ± 0.03 for cluster stars and [Fe/H] = −0.06 ± 0.05 for Argus stars. Effects of overionization/excitation were seen for stars cooler than roughly 5200 K as previously noted in the literature. Also, enhanced Ba abundances of around 0.6 dex were observed in both systems. The common ages, kinematics and chemical abundances strongly support the fact that the Argus association stars originated from the open cluster IC 2391. Simple modelling of this system finds this dissolution to be consistent with two-body interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We present stellar parameters and abundances of 11 elements (Li, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Ti, Cr, Fe, Ni and Zn) of 13 F6-K2 main-sequence stars in the young groups AB Doradus, Carina Near and Ursa Major. The exoplanet-host star ι Horologii is also analysed. The three young associations have lithium abundance consistent with their age. All other elements show solar abundances. The three groups are characterized by a small scatter in all abundances, with mean [Fe/H] values of 0.10 (σ = 0.03), 0.08 (σ = 0.05) and 0.01 (σ = 0.03) dex for AB Doradus, Carina Near and Ursa Major, respectively. The distribution of elemental abundances appears congruent with the chemical pattern of the Galactic thin disc in the solar vicinity, as found for other young groups. This means that the metallicity distribution of nearby young stars, targets of direct-imaging planet-search surveys, is different from that of old, field solar-type stars, i.e. the typical targets of radial velocity surveys. The young planet-host star ι Horologii shows a lithium abundance lower than that found for the young association members. It is found to have a slightly super-solar iron abundance ([Fe/H] = 0.16 ± 0.09), while all [X/Fe] ratios are similar to the solar values. Its elemental abundances are close to those of the Hyades cluster derived from the literature, which seems to reinforce the idea of a possible common origin with the primordial cluster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Recently, several studies have shown that young, open clusters are characterized by a considerable overabundance in their barium content. In particular, D'Orazi et al. reported that in some younger clusters [Ba/Fe] can reach values as high as ∼0.6 dex. The work also identified the presence of an anticorrelation between [Ba/Fe] and cluster age. For clusters in the age range ∼4.5 Gyr -500 Myr, this is best explained by assuming a higher contribution from low-mass asymptotic giant branch stars to the Galactic chemical enrichment. The purpose of this work is to investigate the ubiquity of the barium overabundance in young stellar clusters. We analysed high-resolution spectroscopic data, focusing on the s-process elemental abundance for three nearby young associations, i.e. AB Doradus, Carina-Near and Ursa Major. The clusters have been chosen such that their age spread would complement the D'Orazi et al. study. We find that while the s-process elements Y, Zr, La and Ce exhibit solar ratios in all three associations, Ba is overabundant by ∼0.2 dex. Current theoretical models cannot reproduce this abundance pattern; thus, we investigate whether this unusually large Ba content might be related to chromospheric effects. Although no correlation between [Ba/Fe] and several activity indicators seems to be present, we conclude that different effects could be at work which may (directly or indirectly) be related to the presence of hot stellar chromospheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, several studies have shown that young, open clusters are characterized by a considerable overabundance in their barium content. In particular, D’Orazi et al. reported that in some younger clusters [Ba/Fe] can reach values as high as ∼0.6 dex. The work also identified the presence of an anticorrelation between [Ba/Fe] and cluster age. For clusters in the age range ∼4.5 Gyr-500 Myr, this is best explained by assuming a higher contribution from low-mass asymptotic giant branch stars to the Galactic chemical enrichment.The purpose of this work is to investigate the ubiquity of the barium overabundance in young stellar clusters. We analysed high-resolution spectroscopic data, focusing on the s-process elemental abundance for three nearby young associations, i.e. AB Doradus, Carina-Near and Ursa Major. The clusters have been chosen such that their age spread would complement the D’Orazi et al. study.We find that while the s-process elements Y, Zr, La and Ce exhibit solar ratios in all three associations, Ba is overabundant by ∼0.2 dex. Current theoretical models cannot reproduce this abundance pattern; thus, we investigate whether this unusually large Ba content might be related to chromospheric effects. Although no correlation between [Ba/Fe] and several activity indicators seems to be present, we conclude that different effects could be at work which may (directly or indirectly) be related to the presence of hot stellar chromospheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have obtained medium- and low-resolution spectroscopy and BVI CCD imaging of Berkeley 32, an old open cluster which lies in the anticentre direction. From the radial velocities of 48 stars in the cluster direction, we found that 31 of them, in crucial evolutionary phases, are probable cluster members, with an average radial velocity of . From isochrone fitting to the colour–magnitude diagrams of Berkeley 32, we have obtained an age of and . The best fit is obtained with . A consistent distance, , has been derived from the mean magnitude of red clump stars with confirmed membership; we may assume . The colour–magnitude diagram of the nearby field observed to check for field stars contamination looks intriguingly similar to that of the Canis Major overdensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]