Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Dec 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006aas...209.4001g&link_type=abstract
2007 AAS/AAPT Joint Meeting, American Astronomical Society Meeting 209, #40.01; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, V
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
We present results from a program aimed at better understanding the ages, velocities, metallicities and distances of populous clusters in the LMC. In an effort to update previous [Fe/H] determinations, we have used the FORS2 instrument on the VLT to obtain near infrared spectra for more than 200 stars in 28 LMC clusters. The absorption lines of the Ca II Triplet were then used to calculate velocities and abundances for a sample of clusters spanning a large range of ages ( 1-13 Gyr) and metallicities (-0.3 ≥ [Fe/H] ≥ -2.0). To calculate cluster ages, we have compiled deep optical photometry for 15 LMC clusters using a combination of published photometry, VLT/FORS2 images and archival HST/WFPC2 images. These data, in conjunction with our derived metallicities, have allowed us to determine accurate cluster ages via main sequence fitting with theoretical isochrones. Finally, we have used the K-band luminosity of core helium burning red clump (RC) stars to determine distances for 17 LMC clusters. Using ISPI on the CTIO 4m, we obtained near infrared (JK) photometry down to K 18.5, which allowed us to measure the apparent K-band RC magnitude of each cluster. In addition, age and abundance can be used to predict the absolute K-band RC magnitude of a given cluster; thus, we have combined the apparent and absolute magnitudes with cluster reddenings and calculated the distance to each individual cluster. These distances are used to probe the structure of the LMC as traced by its cluster population.
This work is supported by NSF CAREER grant AST-0094048 to Ata Sarajedini.
Cole Andrew A.
Geisler Doug
Grocholski Aaron J.
Mancone Conor L.
Olsen Knut A.
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