scholarly journals Toward a VLBI resolution of the Pleiades distance controversy

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S289) ◽  
pp. 60-65
Author(s):  
Carl Melis ◽  
M. J. Reid ◽  
A. J. Mioduszewski ◽  
J. R. Stauffer ◽  
G. C. Bower
Keyword(s):  
Main Sequence ◽  
Very Long Baseline Interferometry ◽  
Open Cluster ◽  
Open Clusters ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Long Baseline ◽  
Trigonometric Parallax ◽  
Observational Program

AbstractThe Pleiades is the best-studied open cluster in the sky. It is one of the primary open clusters used to define the ‘zero-age main sequence,' and hence it serves as a cornerstone for programs which use main-sequence fitting to derive distances. This role is called into question by the ‘Pleiades distance controversy:' the distance to the Pleiades from Hipparcos of approximately 120 pc is significantly different from the distance of 133 pc derived using other techniques. To resolve this issue, we plan to use Very Long Baseline Interferometry to derive a new, independent trigonometric parallax distance to the Pleiades. In these proceedings we present our observational program and report some preliminary results.

scholarly journals Defining the Binary Star Population in the Young Open Cluster M35 (NGC 2168)

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (S246) ◽  
pp. 105-106
Author(s):  
Ella K. Braden ◽  
Robert D. Mathieu ◽  
Sören Meibom
Keyword(s):  
Binary Systems ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Binary Star ◽  
Open Cluster ◽  
Open Clusters ◽  
Spatial Period ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Long Baseline ◽  
Dynamical Simulations ◽  
Young Open Cluster

AbstractWe present current results from the ongoing WIYN Open Cluster Study radial-velocity survey for 1410 stars in the young (150 Myr) open cluster M35 (NGC 2168) and establish a benchmark for initial conditions in young open clusters. We find for periods ≲ 1000 days a minimum binary frequency of 0.36 – 0.51. We also analyze the spatial, period and eccentricity distributions of the binary systems and find that the period and eccentricity distributions are well approximated by scaled field distributions from Duquennoy & Mayor (1991). With our large sample size and long baseline, we have a unique understanding of the binary population in this young cluster, making it ideal for defining initial conditions for dynamical simulations.

scholarly journals Cepheid distances from the Baade–Wesselink method

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S289) ◽  
pp. 138-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Gieren ◽  
Jesper Storm ◽  
Nicolas Nardetto ◽  
Alexandre Gallenne ◽  
Grzegorz Pietrzyński ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Excellent Agreement ◽  
Surface Brightness ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Open Cluster ◽  
Open Clusters ◽  
Distance Scale ◽  
Systematic Uncertainties ◽  
Classical Cepheids

AbstractRecent progress on Baade–Wesselink (BW)-type techniques to determine the distances to classical Cepheids is reviewed. Particular emphasis is placed on the near-infrared surface-brightness (IRSB) version of the BW method. Its most recent calibration is described and shown to be capable of yielding individual Cepheid distances accurate to 6%, including systematic uncertainties. Cepheid distances from the IRSB method are compared to those determined from open cluster zero-age main-sequence fitting for Cepheids located in Galactic open clusters, yielding excellent agreement between the IRSB and cluster Cepheid distance scales. Results for the Cepheid period–luminosity (PL) relation in near-infrared and optical bands based on IRSB distances and the question of the universality of the Cepheid PL relation are discussed. Results from other implementations of the BW method are compared to the IRSB distance scale and possible reasons for discrepancies are identified.

Variable Star Identification in the BATC Field of M67

2005 ◽  
Vol 277-279 ◽  
pp. 869-875
Author(s):  
Hwihyun Kim ◽  
Yong Ik Byun
Keyword(s):  
Binary Systems ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Variable Star ◽  
Open Cluster ◽  
Open Clusters ◽  
Eclipsing Binaries ◽  
Photometric Variability ◽  
Phase Dispersion ◽  
Star Identification

We present the result of photometric variability investigation for stars in the field of M67. The old open cluster M67, one of the most studied open clusters, shows the sign of significant main-sequence binary population in its color-magnitude diagrams. Identification of eclipsing binaries and follow-up studies will enable us to study the nature of binary population in most direct manner. We used approximately 350 images from the BATC (Beijing-Arizona-Taipei-Connecticut) data archive to examine variability within one square degree field centered on M67. A total of 18 stars were classified to be real variables. Our new discoveries include seven eclipsing binary systems of which two are likely to be W UMa systems. All of these variables were found using the phase dispersion minimization (PDM) method developed by Shin and Byun[11].

scholarly journals Water masers and the near-stellar environment in YSOs

2002 ◽  
Vol 206 ◽  
pp. 27-34
Author(s):  
Mark J. Claussen
Keyword(s):  
Main Sequence ◽  
Very Long Baseline Interferometry ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Young Stellar Objects ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
High Luminosity ◽  
Stellar Objects ◽  
Long Baseline ◽  
Water Masers ◽  
Very High

I present a review of observations of water masers, in particular very high angular resolution of water masers using Very Long Baseline Interferometry, with which it is possible to probe the environment of young stellar objects and forming stars within only a few A.U. of the protostar, its accretion disk, and therefore the base of outflowing material. Although reference is made to some high-luminosity sources, the main thrust of the review are the water masers found toward forming objects whose mass and luminosity will be approximately that of the Sun when they reach the main sequence.

scholarly journals Extended main sequence turnoffs in open clusters as seen by Gaia – II. The enigma of NGC 2509

2019 ◽  
Vol 491 (2) ◽  
pp. 2129-2136 ◽  
Author(s):  
M de Juan Ovelar ◽  
S Gossage ◽  
S Kamann ◽  
N Bastian ◽  
C Usher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stellar Evolution ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Narrow Range ◽  
Open Cluster ◽  
Open Clusters ◽  
Stellar Rotation ◽  
Rotation Rates ◽  
Magnitude Diagram ◽  
Stellar Density

ABSTRACT We investigate the morphology of the colour–magnitude diagram (CMD) of the open cluster NGC 2509 in comparison with other Galactic open clusters of similar age using Gaia photometry. At ${\sim}900\,\rm {Myr}$ Galactic open clusters in our sample all show an extended main sequence turnoff (eMSTO) with the exception of NGC 2509, which presents an exceptionally narrow CMD. Our analysis of the Gaia data rules out differential extinction, stellar density, and binaries as a cause for the singular MSTO morphology in this cluster. We interpret this feature as a consequence of the stellar rotation distribution within the cluster and present the analysis with mesa Isochrones and Stellar Tracks (MIST) stellar evolution models that include the effect of stellar rotation on which we based our conclusion. In particular, these models point to an unusually narrow range of stellar rotation rates (Ω/Ωcrit, ZAMS = [0.4, 0.6]) within the cluster as the cause of this singular feature in the CMD of NGC 2509. Interestingly, models that do not include rotation are not as good at reproducing the morphology of the observed CMD in this cluster.

scholarly journals Observational problems in determining the ages of open clusters

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (S258) ◽  
pp. 141-152
Author(s):  
Elizabeth J. Jeffery
Keyword(s):  
White Dwarf ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Open Cluster ◽  
Dynamical Evolution ◽  
Stellar Populations ◽  
Statistical Technique ◽  
Open Clusters ◽  
Sequence Evolution ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Wide Range

AbstractOpen clusters have long been objects of interest in astronomy. As a good approximation of essentially pure stellar populations, they have proved very useful for studies in a wide range of astrophysically interesting questions, including stellar evolution and atmospheres, the chemical and dynamical evolution of our Galaxy, and the structure of our Galaxy. Of fundamental importance to our understanding of open clusters is accurate determinations of cluster ages. Currently there are two main techniques for independently determining the ages of stellar populations: main sequence evolution theory (via cluster isochrones) and white dwarf cooling theory. We will provide an overview of these two methods, the current level of agreement between them, as well as a look to the current state of increasing precision in the determination of each. Particularly I will discuss the comprehensive data set collection that is being done by the WIYN Open Cluster Study, as well as a new Bayesian statistical technique that has been developed by our group and its applications in improving and determining white dwarf ages of open clusters. I will review the so-called bright white dwarf technique, a new way of measuring cluster ages with just the bright white dwarfs. I will discuss the first application of the Bayesian technique to the Hyades, also demonstrating the first successful application of the bright white dwarf technique. These results bring the white dwarf age of the Hyades into agreement with the main sequence turn off age for the first time.

scholarly journals WIYN Open Cluster Study. XIX. Main-Sequence-Fitting Distances to Open Clusters UsingV-KColor-Magnitude Diagrams

2004 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 991-999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ata Sarajedini ◽  
Ken Brandt ◽  
Aaron J. Grocholski ◽  
Glenn P. Tiede
Keyword(s):  
Main Sequence ◽  
Open Cluster ◽  
Open Clusters

scholarly journals Stellar Content of the Young Open Cluster NGC 6823

2000 ◽  
Vol 176 ◽  
pp. 499-500
Author(s):  
A. Pigulski ◽  
Z. Kolaczkowski ◽  
G. Kopacki
Keyword(s):  
Main Sequence ◽  
Evolutionary Rate ◽  
Open Cluster ◽  
Variable Stars ◽  
Period Change ◽  
Stellar Content ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
The Future ◽  
Young Open Cluster

AbstractThe preliminary results of the CCD search for variable stars in the very young open cluster NGC 6823 are presented. About ten new variable stars were discovered. The most interesting finding is that of the two pre-main sequence (PMS) δ Scuti-type variables. Because the evolutionary rate of period change is large at the PMS stage, these stars could be used in the future for testing it observationally.

scholarly journals Properties of abundance gradient along the Galactic disk and the role of LAMOST

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (S298) ◽  
pp. 304-309
Author(s):  
J.L. Hou ◽  
L. Chen ◽  
J.C. Yu ◽  
J. Sellwood ◽  
C. Pryor
Keyword(s):  
Radial Velocity ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Galactic Disk ◽  
Open Cluster ◽  
Dynamical Evolution ◽  
Open Clusters ◽  
Main Sequence Stars ◽  
Abundance Gradient

AbstractIn this paper, we present our recent work on the evolution of abundance gradients along the Milky Way disk based on the Geneva Copenhagen Survey (GCS) and Radial Velocity Experiment (RAVE) data. We will also discuss the role of the LAMOST Milky Way disk survey in clarifying the properties of metallicity breaks observed through open clusters and young tracers along the Milky Way disk. It is believed that the Galactic disk forms inside-out, in which the stellar population at increasing radii is younger and more metal poor. This picture is consistent with most Galactic Chemical Evolution (GCE) models which also predict a tight correlation between the metallicity and age of stars at a given radius. However, it is only a result of “steady state" and no dynamical evolution effects were taken into account. We have selected two stellar samples from GCS and RAVE, each sample contains about 10,000 local thin-disk, main-sequence stars. We use the guiding radius which is determined by the conservation of z-direction angular momentum, to eliminate the blurring effects. And also use the effective temperature of the main sequence stars as a proxy of stellar age. It is shown that the metallicity gradient flattens as the age increases. This is not consistent with our previous GCE prediction, but can be explained by radial mixing effects. In order to further demonstrate the abundance breaks observed in the Galactic disk we have proposed, and have been carrying out, an open cluster survey project based on LAMOST. We plan to observe at least 400 open clusters in the northern Galactic sky. From the observations, we will get uniform parameters for those clusters with radial velocity and metallicities. We anticipate that this uniform open cluster sample could clarify the observed abundance break around the Milky Way disk corotation radius and also give a more robust result concerning the evolution of the abundance gradient.

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