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Issue A&A Volume 377, Number 2, October II 2001 Page(s) 512 - 521 Section Formation, structure and evolution of stars DOI 10.1051/0004-6361:20011079

A&A 377, 512-521 (2001)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20011079

On the dispersion in lithium and potassium among late-type stars in young clusters: IC 2602

S. Randich

Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, Largo Fermi 5, 50125 Firenze, Italy

(Received 23 January 2001 / Accepted 23 July 2001)

Abstract
We have measured the equivalent width (EW) of the K I 7699 Åline in a sample of G and K-type members of the ~35 Myr old cluster IC 2602 for which a dispersion in Li EWs had been reported by previous studies. Active cluster stars with B-V₀ are characterized by a dispersion in the EW of the K I 7699 Å, while earlier and later-type stars do not show any significant scatter. Cluster stars at all colors show potassium EW excesses with respect to field inactive stars; furthermore, a statistically significant relationship is found between differential potassium EWs and ratios, indicating that the EWs of the potassium feature are altered by activity. Our results suggest that the dispersion in Li EWs observed among cluster stars later than B-V₀ cannot be fully explained by the effects of activity. No final conclusion can instead be drawn for earlier-type stars.

Key words: open clusters and associations: individual: IC 2602 -- stars: abundances -- stars: interiors

Offprint request: S. Randich, randich@arcetri.astro.it

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© ESO 2001

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