LMC Eclipsing Binaries with Cepheid Components: The Key to the Extragalactic Distance Scale

Details LMC Eclipsing Binaries with Cepheid Components: The Key to the Extragalactic Distance Scale LMC Eclipsing Binaries with Cepheid Components: The Key to the Extragalactic Distance Scale

Jul 2001

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001hst..prop.9176g&link_type=abstract

HST Proposal ID #9176

Computer Science

Hst Proposal Id #9176 Cold Stars

Scientific paper

The distance to the LMC and the Cepheid P-L law form the backbone of the Cosmic Distance Scale and the determination of H_degrees. Unfortunately, in spite of concerted efforts of many investigators, the zero point of the Cepheid P-L law and the LMC distance remain controversial and uncertain to 10-15 our ongoing program of using eclipsing binaries {EBs} as ``standard candles'' {Guinan et al. 1998; Fitzpatrick et al. 2000} to include two recently discovered LMC eclipsing binaries {EBs} with Cepheid components. HST/STIS observations of these extraordinary systems hold the key to determining simultaneously the Cepheid P-L zero point and the LMC distance, and provide a direct test of the Baade-Wesselink parallax method. The proposed targets are a 17th mag LMC EB with P_orb 800 d, which contains a classical Cepheid with P=2.03 d, and a 14.5 mag LMC EB with P_orb=397.25 d with a 4.97 d Cepheid. HST/STIS low-dispersion spectroscopy will be used to determine T_eff, [Fe/H], and A_lambda. HST/STIS medium-resolution observations yield accurate radial velocities of these double-line systems which, when combined with the light curves and temperatures, yield the stellar radii and luminosities, and distances. These EBs offer the unprecedented opportunity to minimize the dependence of the Cosmic Distance Scale and H_degrees on zero point uncertainties.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

LMC Eclipsing Binaries with Cepheid Components: The Key to the Extragalactic Distance Scale does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with LMC Eclipsing Binaries with Cepheid Components: The Key to the Extragalactic Distance Scale, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and LMC Eclipsing Binaries with Cepheid Components: The Key to the Extragalactic Distance Scale will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1200634