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Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

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Astrophysics and Astronomy

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Publications

2007

Open clusters and associations: general

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Possible Identification Of A Metal-Rich Old Moving Group: High-Resolution Spectroscopy Of Candidate Members, Abigail R. Daane, Jeremy R. King, Simon C. Schuler Apr 2007

Possible Identification Of A Metal-Rich Old Moving Group: High-Resolution Spectroscopy Of Candidate Members, Abigail R. Daane, Jeremy R. King, Simon C. Schuler

Publications

Using new high-resolution spectroscopic observations from both the McDonald Observatory 2.7 m and Kitt Peak National Observatory 4 m telescopes, we observed four candidate members of the Ursa Major moving group previously suggested to instead belong to a significantly older kinematic assemblage. The Fe abundances we measure strongly suggest that these stars are not UMa members but form a more metal-rich group of stars (+0.10 ≤ [Fe/H] ≤ +0.18) with an age near 3 Gyr. Our [Ca/H] determinations corroborate this result. The apparent similarities in metallicity and previously discovered UVW space motions lend credence to prior suggestions that these stars …


New Techniques To Determine Ages Of Open Clusters Using White Dwarfs, E. J. Jeffery, Ted Von Hippel, Et Al. Mar 2007

New Techniques To Determine Ages Of Open Clusters Using White Dwarfs, E. J. Jeffery, Ted Von Hippel, Et Al.

Publications

Currently there are two main techniques for independently determining the ages of stellar populations: main-sequence evolution theory (via cluster isochrones) and white dwarf cooling theory. Open clusters provide the ideal environment for the calibration of these two clocks. Because current techniques to derive cluster ages from white dwarfs are observationally challenging, we discuss the feasibility of determining white dwarf ages from the brighter white dwarfs alone. This would eliminate the requirement of observing the coolest (i.e., faintest) white dwarfs. We discuss our method for testing this new idea, as well as the required photometric precision and prior constraints on metallicity, …