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We report on the first detailed infrared chemical analysis of five binary members (S277, S997, S975, S1031, and S1195) in the open cluster M67 (NGC 2682). These stars are located outside (bluer and/or brighter than) the main-sequence turnoff region in M67. High-resolution (R ~ 45,000) near-infrared spectra were obtained with the Immersion GRating INfrared Spectrograph (IGRINS) at the McDonald Observatory 2.7 m Harlan J. Smith Telescope, providing full spectral coverage of the H and K bands. The abundances of C, Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, Ca, Fe, and Ni are measured using neutral atomic absorption lines. We detect v sin i greater than or equal to 25 km s-1 in three of our program stars: S1031, S975, and S1195. We find our derived abundances to be in good agreement with turnoff star abundances, similar to published analyses of blue straggler stars in M67 from optical spectra. Detection of a carbon enhancement or depletion resulting from mass transfer is difficult due to the uncertainties in the carbon abundance and the relatively modest changes that may occur through red giant and asymptotic giant branch evolution.

Determining accurate effective temperatures of stars buried in the dust-obscured Galactic regions is extremely difficult from photometry. Fortunately, high-resolution infrared spectroscopy is a powerful tool for determining the temperatures of stars with no dependence on interstellar extinction. It has long been known that the depth ratios of temperature-sensitive and relatively insensitive spectral lines are excellent temperature indices. In this work, we provide the first extensive line depth ratio (LDR) method application in the infrared region that encompasses both \H\ and \K\ bands (1.48 $\mu$m - 2.48 $\mu$m). We applied the LDR method to high-resolution (R $\simeq$ 45,000) \H\ and \K-band spectra of 110 stars obtained with the Immersion Grating Infrared Spectrograph (IGRINS). Our sample contained stars with 3200 $<$ \teff\ (K) $<$ 5500, 0.20 $\leq$ log g $<$ 4.6, and $-$1.5 $<$ [M/H] $<$ 0.5. Application of this method in the \K-band yielded 21 new LDR$-$\teff\ relations. We also report five new LDR$-$\teff\ relations found in the \H-band region, augmenting the relations already published by other groups. The temperatures found from our calibrations provide reliable temperatures within $\sim$70 K accuracy compared to spectral \teff\ values from the literature., Comment: 4 Tables, 8 Figures, Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal

The recent exquisite Gaia astrometric, photometric, and radial velocity (RV) measurements resulted in a substantial advancement for the determination of the orbits for old star clusters, including the oldest Milky Way globular clusters (MW GCs). The main goal of this paper is to use the Gaia DR3 and the VVVX measurements to obtain the orbits for nearly a dozen new Galactic GC candidates that have been poorly studied or previously unexplored. We use the Gaia DR3 and VVVX databases to identify bonafide members of the Galactic GC candidates: VVV-CL160, Patchick122, Patchick125, Patchick126, Kronberger99, Kronberger119, Kronberger143, ESO92-18, ESO93-08, Gaia2, and Ferrero54. The relevant mean cluster physical parameters are derived (distances, Galactic coordinates, proper motions, RVs). We measure accurate mean RVs for the GCs VVV-CL160 and Patchick126, using observations acquired at the Gemini-South telescope with the IGRINS high-resolution spectrograph. Orbits for each cluster are then computed using the GravPot16 model, assuming typical Galactic bar pattern speeds. We reconstruct the orbits for these clusters for the first time. These include star clusters with retrograde and prograde orbital motions, both in the Galactic bulge and disk. Orbital properties, such as the mean time-variations of perigalactic and apogalactic distances, eccentricities, vertical excursions from the Galactic plane, and Z-components of the angular momentum are obtained for our sample. Our main conclusion is that, based on the orbital parameters, Patchick125 and Patchick126 are genuine MW bulge/halo GCs; Ferrero54, Gaia2 and Patchick122 are MW disk GCs. The orbits of Kronberger99, Kronberger119, Kronberger143, ESO92-18, and ESO93-08 are more consistent with old MW disk open clusters. VVV-CL160 falls very close to the Galactic centre, but reaches larger distances beyond the Sun, thus its origin is still unclear., Comment: 21 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A

We have used the Habitable Zone Planet Finder (HPF) to gather high-resolution, high signal-to-noise near-infrared spectra of 13 field red horizontal branch (RHB) stars, one open cluster giant, and one very metal-poor halo red giant. The HPF spectra cover the 0.81-1.28 mu m wavelength range of the zyJ bands, partially filling the gap between the optical (0.4-1.0 mu m) and infrared (1.5-2.4 mu m) spectra already available for the program stars. We derive abundances of 17 species from LTE-based computations involving equivalent widths and spectrum syntheses, and estimate abundance corrections for the species that are most affected by departures from LTE in RHB stars. Generally good agreement is found between HPF-based metallicities and abundance ratios and those from the optical and infrared spectral regions. Light element transitions dominate the HPF spectra of these red giants, and HPF data can be used to derive abundances from species with poor or no representation in optical spectra (e.g., C i, P i, S i, K i). Attention is drawn to the HPF abundances in two field solar-metallicity RHB stars of special interest: one with an extreme carbon isotope ratio, and one with a rare, very large lithium content. The latter star is unique in our sample in exhibiting very strong He i 10830 A absorption. The abundances of the open cluster giant concur with those derived from other wavelength regions. Detections of C i and S i in HD 122563 are reported, yielding the lowest metallicity determination of [S/Fe] from more than one multiplet.

We have derived elemental abundances of three field red horizontal branch stars using high-resolution (R$\simeq$ 45,000), high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N $\gtrsim$ 200) $H$ and $K$ band spectra obtained with the Immersion Grating Infrared Spectrograph (IGRINS). We have determined the abundances of 21 elements including $\alpha$ (Mg, Si, Ca, S), odd-Z (Na, Al, P, K), Fe-group (Sc, Ti, Cr, Co, Ni), neutron-capture (Ce, Nd, Yb), and CNO group elements. S, P and K are determined for the first time in these stars. $H$ and $K$ band spectra provide a substantial number of S I lines, which potentially can lead to a more robust exploration of the role of sulfur in the cosmochemical evolution of the Galaxy. We have also derived $^{12}$C/$^{13}$C ratios from synthetic spectra of the first overtone (2$-$0) and (3$-$1) $^{12}$CO and (2$-$0) $^{13}$CO lines near 23440 \AA\ and $^{13}$CO (3$-$1) lines at about 23730 \AA. Comparison of our results with the ones obtained from the optical region suggests that the IGRINS high-resolution $H$ and $K$ band spectra offer more internally self-consistent atomic lines of the same species for several elements, especially the $\alpha$ elements. This in turn provides more reliable abundances for the elements with analytical difficulties in the optical spectral range., Comment: 36 pages, 13 figures, 10 tables, accepted for publication in ApJ

A metallicity, chemical composition, and kinematic survey has been conducted for a sample of 340 candidate field red horizontal branch stars. High resolution, high signal-to-noise spectra were gathered with the McDonald Observatory 2.7m Tull and the Hobby-Eberly Telescope echelle spectrographs, and were used to determine effective temperatures, surface gravities, microturbulent velocities, [Fe/H] metallicities, and abundance ratios [X/Fe] for seven $\alpha$ and Fe-group species. The derived temperatures and gravities confirm that at least half of the candidates are true RHB stars, with (average) parameters Teff$\sim$5000 K, log g$\sim$2.5. From the $\alpha$ abundances alone the thin and thick Galactic populations are apparent in our sample. Space motions for 90% of the program stars were computed from Hipparcos and Gaia parallaxes and proper motions. Correlations between chemical compositions and Galactic kinematics clearly indicate the existence of both thin and thick disk RHB stars., Comment: accepted for publication in AJ

We have derived elemental abundances of three field red horizontal branch stars using high-resolution (R$\simeq$ 45,000), high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N $\gtrsim$ 200) $H$ and $K$ band spectra obtained with the Immersion Grating Infrared Spectrograph (IGRINS). We have determined the abundances of 21 elements including $\alpha$ (Mg, Si, Ca, S), odd-Z (Na, Al, P, K), Fe-group (Sc, Ti, Cr, Co, Ni), neutron-capture (Ce, Nd, Yb), and CNO group elements. S, P and K are determined for the first time in these stars. $H$ and $K$ band spectra provide a substantial number of S I lines, which potentially can lead to a more robust exploration of the role of sulfur in the cosmochemical evolution of the Galaxy. We have also derived $^{12}$C/$^{13}$C ratios from synthetic spectra of the first overtone (2$-$0) and (3$-$1) $^{12}$CO and (2$-$0) $^{13}$CO lines near 23440 \AA\ and $^{13}$CO (3$-$1) lines at about 23730 \AA. Comparison of our results with the ones obtained from the optical region suggests that the IGRINS high-resolution $H$ and $K$ band spectra offer more internally self-consistent atomic lines of the same species for several elements, especially the $\alpha$ elements. This in turn provides more reliable abundances for the elements with analytical difficulties in the optical spectral range., Comment: 36 pages, 13 figures, 10 tables, accepted for publication in ApJ

A metallicity, chemical composition, and kinematic survey has been conducted for a sample of 340 candidate field red horizontal branch stars. High resolution, high signal-to-noise spectra were gathered with the McDonald Observatory 2.7m Tull and the Hobby-Eberly Telescope echelle spectrographs, and were used to determine effective temperatures, surface gravities, microturbulent velocities, [Fe/H] metallicities, and abundance ratios [X/Fe] for seven $\alpha$ and Fe-group species. The derived temperatures and gravities confirm that at least half of the candidates are true RHB stars, with (average) parameters Teff$\sim$5000 K, log g$\sim$2.5. From the $\alpha$ abundances alone the thin and thick Galactic populations are apparent in our sample. Space motions for 90% of the program stars were computed from Hipparcos and Gaia parallaxes and proper motions. Correlations between chemical compositions and Galactic kinematics clearly indicate the existence of both thin and thick disk RHB stars., Comment: accepted for publication in AJ

From high resolution (R = 45,000), high signal-to-noise (S/N > 400) spectra gathered with the Immersion Grating Infrared Spectrograph (IGRINS) in the H and K photometric bands, we have derived elemental abundances of two bright, well-known metal-poor halo stars: the red giant HD 122563 and the subgiant HD 140283. Since these stars have metallicities approaching [Fe/H] = -3, their absorption features are generally very weak. Neutral-species lines of Mg, Si, S and Ca are detectable, as well as those of the light odd-Z elements Na and Al. The derived IR-based abundances agree with those obtained from optical-wavelength spectra. For Mg and Si the abundances from the infrared transitions are improvements to those derived from shorter wavelength data. Many useful OH and CO lines can be detected in the IGRINS HD 122563 spectrum, from which derived O and C abundances are consistent to those obtained from the traditional [O I] and CH features. IGRINS high resolutions H- and K-band spectroscopy offers promising ways to determine more reliable abundances for additional metal-poor stars whose optical features are either not detectable, or too weak, or are based on lines with analytical difficulties., Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ (28 pages, 4 tables, 6 figures)

From high resolution (R = 45,000), high signal-to-noise (S/N > 400) spectra gathered with the Immersion Grating Infrared Spectrograph (IGRINS) in the H and K photometric bands, we have derived elemental abundances of two bright, well-known metal-poor halo stars: the red giant HD 122563 and the subgiant HD 140283. Since these stars have metallicities approaching [Fe/H] = -3, their absorption features are generally very weak. Neutral-species lines of Mg, Si, S and Ca are detectable, as well as those of the light odd-Z elements Na and Al. The derived IR-based abundances agree with those obtained from optical-wavelength spectra. For Mg and Si the abundances from the infrared transitions are improvements to those derived from shorter wavelength data. Many useful OH and CO lines can be detected in the IGRINS HD 122563 spectrum, from which derived O and C abundances are consistent to those obtained from the traditional [O I] and CH features. IGRINS high resolutions H- and K-band spectroscopy offers promising ways to determine more reliable abundances for additional metal-poor stars whose optical features are either not detectable, or too weak, or are based on lines with analytical difficulties., Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ (28 pages, 4 tables, 6 figures)

A new line list including positions and absolute intensities (in the form of Einstein $A$ values and oscillator strengths) has been produced for the OH ground X\DP\ state rovibrational (Meinel system) and pure rotational transitions. All possible transitions are included with v$\primed$ and v$\Dprimed$ up to 13, and $J$ up to between 9.5 and 59.5, depending on the band. An updated fit to determine molecular constants has been performed, which includes some new rotational data and a simultaneous fitting of all molecular constants. The absolute line intensities are based on a new dipole moment function, which is a combination of two high level ab initio calculations. The calculations show good agreement with an experimental v=1 lifetime, experimental $\mu_\mathrm{v}$ values, and $\Delta$v=2 line intensity ratios from an observed spectrum. To achieve this good agreement, an alteration in the method of converting matrix elements from Hund's case (b) to (a) was made. Partitions sums have been calculated using the new energy levels, for the temperature range 5-6000 K, which extends the previously available (in HITRAN) 70-3000 K range. The resulting absolute intensities have been used to calculate O abundances in the Sun, Arcturus, and two red giants in the Galactic open and globular clusters M67 and M71. Literature data based mainly on [O I] lines are available for the Sun and Arcturus, and excellent agreement is found., Comment: 17 pages, 8 figues. 7 supplementary files: dipole moment functions (OH-X-DMFs.txt), equilibrium constants (OH-X-Equilibrium_Constants.txt), partition function (OH-X-Q_5-6000K.dat), PGOPHER file with molecular constants and transition matric elements (OH-XX.pgo), vibrational Einstein A and f values (OH-XX-Avv_fvv.txt), line list (OH-XX-Line_list.txt), and OH-Transformation_Equation_Extra.docx

A new line list including positions and absolute intensities (in the form of Einstein $A$ values and oscillator strengths) has been produced for the OH ground X\DP\ state rovibrational (Meinel system) and pure rotational transitions. All possible transitions are included with v$\primed$ and v$\Dprimed$ up to 13, and $J$ up to between 9.5 and 59.5, depending on the band. An updated fit to determine molecular constants has been performed, which includes some new rotational data and a simultaneous fitting of all molecular constants. The absolute line intensities are based on a new dipole moment function, which is a combination of two high level ab initio calculations. The calculations show good agreement with an experimental v=1 lifetime, experimental $\mu_\mathrm{v}$ values, and $\Delta$v=2 line intensity ratios from an observed spectrum. To achieve this good agreement, an alteration in the method of converting matrix elements from Hund's case (b) to (a) was made. Partitions sums have been calculated using the new energy levels, for the temperature range 5-6000 K, which extends the previously available (in HITRAN) 70-3000 K range. The resulting absolute intensities have been used to calculate O abundances in the Sun, Arcturus, and two red giants in the Galactic open and globular clusters M67 and M71. Literature data based mainly on [O I] lines are available for the Sun and Arcturus, and excellent agreement is found., Comment: 17 pages, 8 figues. 7 supplementary files: dipole moment functions (OH-X-DMFs.txt), equilibrium constants (OH-X-Equilibrium_Constants.txt), partition function (OH-X-Q_5-6000K.dat), PGOPHER file with molecular constants and transition matric elements (OH-XX.pgo), vibrational Einstein A and f values (OH-XX-Avv_fvv.txt), line list (OH-XX-Line_list.txt), and OH-Transformation_Equation_Extra.docx

The unusual variable star V838 Monocerotis underwent an eruption in 2002. It continues to illuminate a spectacular series of light echoes, as the outburst light is scattered from circumstellar dust. V838 Mon has an unresolved B3 V companion star. We serendipitously discovered that a neighboring 16th-mag star is also of type B. We then carried out a survey of other stars in the vicinity, revealing two more B-type stars within 45" of V838 Mon. We have determined the distance to this sparse, young cluster, based on spectral classification and photometric main-sequence fitting of the three B stars. The cluster distance is found to be 6.2+-1.2 kpc, in excellent agreement with the geometric distance to V838 Mon of 5.9 kpc obtained from Hubble Space Telescope polarimetry of the light echoes. Using our distance determination, we show that the B3 V companion of V838 Mon is sufficient to account for the entire luminosity of the star measured on survey photographs before its outburst. The B3 star is currently, however, about 1 mag fainter than before the eruption, suggesting that it is now suffering extinction due to dust ejected from V838 Mon. Considerations of the pre-outburst luminosity and cluster age appear to leave stellar-collision or -merger scenarios as one of the remaining viable explanations for the outburst of V838 Mon., Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables; accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal, January 2007

The unusual variable star V838 Monocerotis underwent an eruption in 2002. It continues to illuminate a spectacular series of light echoes, as the outburst light is scattered from circumstellar dust. V838 Mon has an unresolved B3 V companion star. We serendipitously discovered that a neighboring 16th-mag star is also of type B. We then carried out a survey of other stars in the vicinity, revealing two more B-type stars within 45" of V838 Mon. We have determined the distance to this sparse, young cluster, based on spectral classification and photometric main-sequence fitting of the three B stars. The cluster distance is found to be 6.2+-1.2 kpc, in excellent agreement with the geometric distance to V838 Mon of 5.9 kpc obtained from Hubble Space Telescope polarimetry of the light echoes. Using our distance determination, we show that the B3 V companion of V838 Mon is sufficient to account for the entire luminosity of the star measured on survey photographs before its outburst. The B3 star is currently, however, about 1 mag fainter than before the eruption, suggesting that it is now suffering extinction due to dust ejected from V838 Mon. Considerations of the pre-outburst luminosity and cluster age appear to leave stellar-collision or -merger scenarios as one of the remaining viable explanations for the outburst of V838 Mon., Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables; accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal, January 2007