Variability of Young Massive Stars in the Arches Cluster
Abstract
We present preliminary results of the first near-infrared variability study of the Arches cluster, using adaptive optics data from NIRI/Gemini and NACO/VLT. The goal is to discover eclipsing binaries in this young (2.5 +/- 0.5 Myr), dense, massive cluster for which we will determine accurate fundamental parameters with subsequent spectroscopy. Given that the Arches cluster contains more than 200 Wolf-Rayet and O-type stars, it provides a rare opportunity to determine parameters for some of the most massive stars in the Galaxy.
- Publication:
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From Interacting Binaries to Exoplanets: Essential Modeling Tools
- Pub Date:
- April 2012
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 2012IAUS..282..454M
- Keywords:
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- Galaxy: center;
- infrared: Stars;
- open clusters and associations: individual (Arches cluster);
- binaries: eclipsing;
- stars: variables;
- stars: Wolf-Rayet