Near-IR spectroscopy of OH/IR stars in the Galactic Centre

Abstract

Context. Galactic Centre (GC) OH/IR stars can be, based on the expansion velocities of their circumstellar shells, divided into two groups which are kinematically different and therefore are believed to have evolved from different stellar populations. Aims. To study the metallicity distribution of the OH/IR stars population in the GC on basis of a theoretical relation between EW(Na), EW(Ca) and EW(CO) and the metallicity. Methods. For 70 OH/IR stars in the GC, we obtained near-IR spectra. The equivalent line widths of NaI, CaI, 12CO(2,0) and the curvature of the spectrum around 1.6 micron due to water absorption are determined. Results. The near-IR spectrum of OH/IR stars is influenced by several physical processes. OH/IR stars are variable stars suffering high mass-loss rates. The dust that is formed around the stars strongly influences the near-IR spectra and reduces the equivalent line widths of NaI, CaI. A similar effect is caused by the water content in the outer atmosphere of the OH/IR star. Because of these effects, it is not possible with our low resolution near-infrared spectroscopy to determine the metallicities of these stars.