They Might Be Giants: Using Kepler Data to Classify the Evolutionary State of Red Giant Stars
Abstract
Utilizing Kepler long cadence data from quarters 4 through 11, a blind study was performed of the long period (>1 day) variability of 200 giant stars previously identified as hydrogen shell burning (Red Giant Branch - RGB) giants or helium core burning (Red Clump) giants by the Bedding et al. (2011) asteroseismology study. By focusing on periods between 1 and 30 days, a relationship was found between the amplitude of the strongest period and the red giant evolutionary state. A second blind test using this diagnostic was able to correctly predict the evolutionary state of the red giants -RGB or Red Clump - with 74% accuracy. The goal was to find a diagnostic that would allow for ground based differentiation, but the typical amplitudes were less than 0.5 mmag. Understanding this difference may lead to better understanding of the red giant evolutionary process. This research made use of the NASA Exoplanet Archive and was made possible through the NASA/IPAC Training in Archival Research Project (NITARP), funded by NASA Astrophysics Data Program and Archive Outreach funds.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #223
- Pub Date:
- January 2014
- Bibcode:
- 2014AAS...22315213M