NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010A-0294
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010A-0294 |
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PI: Soren Meibom, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, smeibom@cfa.harvard.edu
Address: Optical and Infrared Astronomy Division, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
CoI: Steve Howell, NOAO
CoI: Sydney Barnes, Lowell Observatory
CoI: Ronald L. Gilliland, Space Telescope Science Institute
Title: Resolving and characterizing stars in the cores of NGC6819 and NGC6791
Abstract:
In an effort to find transiting extrasolar planets in star clusters,
and to measure the rotation periods of cluster members, the Kepler space
mission will observe stars in old open clusters over the next 3.5 years.
This program will make possible studies of the properties of planets and
planetary systems as a function of host star age, mass, metallicity, and
stellar evolution and environment. Stellar rotation periods measured
from Kepler light curves in old clusters, will improve empirical
relations between rotation and age for stars of different masses, and
lay a strong foundation for a better understanding of their angular
momentum evolution. The program is also critical to further develop a
new technique (gyrochronology) to determine stellar ages from
measurements of their rotation periods and colors alone. NGC6819
(2.5Gyr) and NGC6791 (8Gyr) are key clusters in the Kepler Open Cluster
Study. Due to their richness and distance, their cores are crowded and
blended signals in Kepler images must be treated properly. Difference
Imaging Analysis (DIA) is superior for extraction of relative
photometric changes in crowded stellar fields, but rely on prior precise
astrometric and photometric measurements for the stellar field. We
propose for high resolution multi-color imaging of the central regions
of NGC6819 and NGC6791 with WIYN/OPTIC to resolve and characterize
individual stars in the cluster cores, and establish a complete star
catalog to V=22.
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-0294 |
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