The Stellar Oxygen Abundance Gradient in M33

Monteverde, M. I.; Herrero, A.; Lennon, D. J.; Kudritzki, R.-P.
Bibliographical reference

Astrophysical Journal Letters v.474, p.L107

Advertised on:
1
1997
Number of authors
4
IAC number of authors
1
Citations
57
Refereed citations
46
Description
We report here first results concerning stellar oxygen abundances in M33. Non-LTE model atmosphere and non-LTE line formation calculations were used to determine the oxygen abundance of B-type supergiants. By choosing stars located at different projected radial distances to the center of M33, we are able to determine the oxygen abundance gradient, for which we obtain a value of -0.16 +/- 0.06 dex kpc-1. This is the first time that the oxygen stellar abundance gradient has been determined in a spiral galaxy other than the Milky Way.