NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2002A-0071
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2002A-0071 |
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PI: I. N. Reid, Space Telescope science Institute, inr@stsci.edu
Address: 3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
CoI: K. L. Cruz, University of Pennsylvania
CoI: J. Liebert, University of Arizona
Title: Finding the neighbours
Abstract:
We are engaged in a long-term project which combines 2MASS and POSS
II data with other catalogues to complete the census of M and L dwarfs
within 20 parsecs of the Sun. In this proposal we aim to concentrate on
candidate ultracool dwarfs, selected based on their location in the (J,
(J-K)) plane. We have identified an all-sky sample of 884 candidates,
providing the first large-scale, systematic survey of late-M/early-L
dwarfs. We propose to use intermediate resolution optical spectroscopy
to determine accurate distances and luminosities, as well as
characterising the level of chromospheric activity. Our goal is a
definitive determination of the stellar luminosity function at faint
magnitudes, and hence of the stellar mass function in the vicinity of
the hydrogen-burning limit.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2002A-0071 |
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