Abundance analysis of 4 red giants in NGC 6558

This analysis results in a metallicity of [Fe/H]=-1.17+/-0.10 for NGC 6558. We find the expected {alpha}-element enhancements in O and Mg with [O/Fe]=+0.40, [Mg/Fe]=+0.33, and low enhancements in Si and Ca. Ti has a moderate enhancement of [Ti/Fe]=+0.22. The r-element Eu appears very enhanced with a mean value of [Eu/Fe]=+0.63.

The first peak s-elements Y and Sr are also enhanced, these results have however to be treated with caution, given the uncertainties in the continuum definition; the use of neutral species (Sr I, YI), instead of the dominant ionized species is another source of uncertainty. Ba appears to have a solar abundance ratio relative to Fe. NGC 6558 shows an abundance pattern that could be typical of the oldest inner bulge globular clusters, together with the pattern in the similar clusters NGC 6522 and HP 1.

They show low abundances of the odd-Z elements Na and Al, and of the explosive nucleosynthesis {alpha}-elements Si, Ca, and Ti. The hydrostatic burning {alpha}-elements O and Mg are normally enhanced as expected in old stars enriched with yields from core-collapse supernovae, and the iron-peak elements Mn, Cu, Zn show low abundances, which is expected forMn and Cu, but not for Zn. Finally, the cluster trio NGC 6558, NGC 6522 and HP 1 have relatively high abundances of first-peak heavy elements, variable second-peak element Ba, and the r-element Eu is enhanced.

The latter is particularly high in NGC 6558.