Iron Abundances in AGB Stars and M Supergiant Stars at the Galactic Center

Abstract

We are measuring Fe abundances of cool, luminous stars within 30 pc of the center of the Milky Way. Our sample contains both AGB stars and M supergiants. Low-resolution (λ/Δλ = 500) H and K band spectra are used to estimate temperatures and gravities. Stellar Fe abundances are determined from high-resolution (λ/Δλ = 40 000) K band spectra obtained on the IRTF using CSHELL. We find that Fe abundances of stars in the Galactic Center are consistent with the solar Fe abundance.