Lithium-rotation connection in the newly discovered young stellar stream Psc–Eri (Meingast 1)

Abstract

Context. As a fragile element, lithium is a sensitive probe of physical processes occurring in stellar interiors.

Aims. We aim to investigate the relationship between lithium abundance and rotation rate in low-mass members of the newly discovered 125 Myr-old Psc–Eri stellar stream.

Methods. We obtained high-resolution optical spectra and measured the equivalent width of the 607.8 nm LiI line for 40 members of the Psc–Eri stream, whose rotational periods have been previously derived.

Results. We show that a tight correlation exists between the lithium content and rotation rate among the late-G to early-K-type stars of the Psc–Eri stream. Fast rotators are systematically Li rich, while slow rotators are Li depleted. This trend mimics that previously reported for the similar age Pleiades cluster.

Conclusions. The lithium-rotation connection thus seems to be universal over a restricted effective temperature range for low-mass stars at or close to the zero-age main sequence, and does not depend on environmental conditions.