NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0356
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0356 |
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PI: Waqas A. Bhatti, Johns Hopkins University, waqas@pha.jhu.edu
Address: Physics Department, 3400 N Charles St., Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA
CoI: Holland C. Ford, Johns Hopkins University
CoI: Larry D. Petro, Space Telescope Science Institute
CoI: Michael W. Richmond, Rochester Institute of Technology
Title: Followup Observations of M-dwarf Eclipsing Binary Candidates in SDSS Stripe 82
Abstract: M-dwarfs are the most abundant stars in the Galaxy, but remain poorly characterized due to their intrinsic faintness. Eclipsing binary systems of such stars provide direct measurements of their masses, radii, and other fundamental properties. Unfortunately, less than 20 low-mass eclipsing binary systems have been fully characterized to date, bringing to light systematic discrepancies between theoretical and observed mass-radius relations of these stars. We have recently identified a sample of ~ 80 M-dwarf eclipsing binary candidates from multi-epoch photometry in SDSS Stripe 82, and calculated first order estimates of their periods. Here, we propose to observe ~10 of our candidates to obtain R and I band light-curves with the KPNO 2.1-m telescope. These observations will result in precise measurements of these objects' orbital periods, eccentricities, inclinations, their temperature and luminosity ratios, determine the presence of star-spots, and finally, estimate the relative sizes of the binary components.
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-0356 |
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