NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010A-0121
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010A-0121 |
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PI: Alistair Walker, NOAO/CTIO, awalker@ctio.noao.edu
Address: -, Casilla 603, La Serena, Chile
CoI: Giuseppe Bono, University of Rome Tor Vergata
CoI: Annalisa Calamida, ESO
CoI: Peter Stetson, NRC/DAO
Title: Accurate and Precise IR Photometry of Omega Centauri
Abstract:
The most massive globular cluster in the Galaxy, Omega Centauri, has
long been known to display a considerable range of metal abundance.
More recent observations have shown a far more complex situation, with
multiple red giant branches best explained by multiple star formation
episodes during the cluster's first few billion years of life, and a
split main sequence with the components likely having different helium
abundances. A definitive star formation and chemical enrichment history
is still lacking. The idea that Omega Centauri is the remnant (nucleus)
of a dwarf galaxy accreted billions of years ago by the Milky Way is
unproven. Deep and accurate photometry, and spectroscopy, can help
disentangle the various evolutionary phrases of this cluster. Deep Near-
IR photometry is particularly useful, and here we propose to obtain
critical wide-field data that are essential for the interpretation of
our deep high-resolution observations.
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 > 2010A-0121 |
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