NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0111
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0111 |
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PI: Andrei Tokovinin, NOAO, atokovinin@ctio.noao.edu
Address: CTIO, Casilla 603, La Serena, Chile
CoI: Makrus Hartung, Gemini
CoI: Thomas Hayward, Gemini
Title: Sub-systems with low-mass companions in nearby multiple stars
Abstract: Stellar multiplicity has direct implications for circum-stellar disks and planet formation. The knowledge of multiplicity higher than two is very poor even for nearby solar-type dwarfs stars, partly because sub-systems with long (>30y) periods and low-mass companions escape detection. A short dedicated survey of wide nearby binaries is proposed to determine the real fraction of such sub-systems and the distribution of their mass ratios. Imaging with NICI detects companions with mass ratios 0.1 or lower, with a well-established threshold, and thus enables a complete survey of the parameter space for sub-systems. This program complements radial-velocity and common-proper-motion surveys.
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 > 2009B-0111 |
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