NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013A-0304
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013A-0304 |
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PI: Christian Johnson, UC Los Angeles, cijohnson@astro.ucla.edu
Address: Department of Physics and Astronomy, PO BOX 951547, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1547, USA
CoI: Steve Margheim, Gemini Observatory
CoI: R. Michael Rich, UC Los Angeles
CoI: Andreas Koch, Zentrum fur Astronomie der Universitat Heidelberg
CoI: Andrea Kunder, Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory
Title: A 10,000 Star Survey for Li-rich K giants in the Galactic Bulge
Abstract: While Li-rich K giants were discovered more than 30 years ago, there are still many fundamental questions regarding their origin. A major reason why so many unsolved problems remain is the paucity of data. Li-rich K giants are only found with a frequency of 1% in all stellar populations. To date, <50 low mass, Li-rich K giants are known. Therefore, we are proposing to make use of a very efficient GMOS spectrograph setup to obtain high quality spectra near the 6707 A Li line for 10,000 K giants in the Galactic bulge. The data obtained for this proposal will complete the survey. We expect to discover at least 100 Li-rich K giants, more than doubling the known sample and extending it to a broad range of RGB luminosities. These data are critical to improving our understanding of the Li-rich giant phenomenon. In addition to searching for Li-rich giants, we will be able to measure [Fe/H], [alpha/Fe], and radial velocities for nearly all 10,000 bulge stars. We will also be able to search for ultra metal-poor stars in the bulge (which have yet to be found) and hyper-velocity stars, both of which provide important constraints on the formation history of the Galactic bulge. Li-rich and other astrophysically interesting targets will be followed-up with high-resolution spectroscopy.
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 > 2013A-0304 |
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