Evidence of multiple r-process sites in the early galaxy: New observationsof CS 22892-052

First results are reported of a new abundance study of neutron-capture elem ents in the ultra-metal-poor ([Fe/H] = - 3.1) halo field giant star CS 2289 2 - 052. Using new high-resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio spectra, abu ndances of more than 30 neutron-capture elements (Z > 30) have been determi ned. Six elements in the 40 < Z < 56 domain (Nb, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, and Cd) ha ve been detected for the first time in an ultra-metal-poor star. Abundances are also derived for three of the heaviest stable elements (Os, Ir. and Pb ). A second transition of thorium, Th II lambda 4086, confirms the abundanc e deduced from the standard Th II lambda 4019 line, and an upper limit to t he abundance of uranium is established from the absence of the U II lambda 3859 line. As found in previous studies, the abundances of the heavier (Z g reater than or equal to 56) stable neutron-capture elements in CS 22892-052 match well the sealed solar system r-process abundance distribution. From the observed Th abundance, an average age of similar or equal to 16 +/- 4 G yr is derived for CS 22892-052, consistent with the lower age limit of simi lar or equal to 11 Gyr derived from the upper limit on the U abundance. The concordance of scaled solar r-process and CS 22892-052 abundances breaks d own for the lighter neutron-capture elements, supporting previous suggestio ns that different r-process production sites are responsible for lighter an d heavier neutron-capture elements.