Physics
Scientific paper
Jul 1999
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1999hst..prop.8151w&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #8151
Physics
Hst Proposal Id #8151 Stellar Populations In Clusters
Scientific paper
We propose to obtain V {F555W} and I {F814W} images centered on the LMC cluster NGC 1866, with a range of exposure times such that we can measure all cluster stars from the brightest at V 15 down to V 25. NGC 1866 has age 100 Myr and is so populous that the evolving stars, with M 5 M_sun, are caught even in short phases of evolution. As such, it provides a critical test of stellar evolution theory applicable to these intermediate mass stars. We will prepare a color- magnitude diagram that will, for the first time, include all the luminous evolved stars. This is impossible to achieve from ground-based observations due to crowding. We will also measure a luminosity function for the unevolved main sequence to M 0.5 M_sun which allows both determination of the IMF for cluster stars with masses in the range 0.5 - 5 M_sun and an investigation of the cluster dynamical evolution by study of the spatial mass distribution. The deep and accurate MS photometry will also permit precise fitting of a fiducial ZAMS, and hence derivation of a distance relative to the Hyades, the basis of the ZAMS calibration. Since NGC 1866 contains at least 23 Cepheid variables, we will thus calibrate the Period-Luminosity relation zeropoint, and determine the distance to the LMC relative to the very accurate Hipparcos parallax distance to the Hyades with a minimum of steps and assumptions.
No associations
LandOfFree
NGC 1866: A Critical test of Stellar Evolution for Intermediate Mass Stars 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 NGC 1866: A Critical test of Stellar Evolution for Intermediate Mass Stars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and NGC 1866: A Critical test of Stellar Evolution for Intermediate Mass Stars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-992606