2003BaltA..12..532T

The sensitivity of stellar spectra to C, N, O and α-process element abundances is discussed with the aim of taking this effect into account when selecting a photometric system for the Gaia orbiting observatory. On the basis of a spectrometric, photometric and theoretical study of spectra of evolved first-ascent giants and clump stars in the open cluster NGC 7789 it is demonstrated that evolutionary alterations of carbon and nitrogen abundances can cause noticeable spectral changes and, if not taken into account, may yield misleading photometric [Fe/H] determinations. Carbon features in stellar atmospheres show a particularly complex behavior being dependent on mixing processes in stars, on the stellar surface gravity and on the abundance of oxygen which can also be altered by different reasons. NH bands could serve for the evaluation of mixing processes in stars and the interpretation of carbon dominated spectral regions. Abundances of α-process elements can be evaluated photometrically by using the direct indicators - Ca II H and K lines and Mg I b triplet.