Precision Measurements of Stellar Radii in Young, Low-Mass Eclipsing Binaries
Abstract
Eclipsing binaries provide benchmark measurements of stellar masses and radii that are the foundation of theoretical stellar astrophysics. Large areas of parameter space remain poorly constrained by data, however, particularly at low masses and young ages. The few sources that have been studied in this regime reveal substantial deviations from existing stellar models. Numerous young eclipsing binaries were recently discovered by K2 in the Upper Sco star-forming region ( 10 Myr), offering an exciting opportunity to explore physical processes that are unique to young low-mass stars (e.g. magnetic fields and star spots). However, radius measurements for young eclipsing binaries are impacted by large amplitude and complex variability that star-spots induce on light curves, inhibiting robust radius measurements. The effects of stellar variability are much less extreme in the infrared wavelengths where Spitzer observes. We therefore propose to monitor the primary and secondary eclipses of 4 young eclipsing binaries with Spitzer/IRAC at 3.6 micron. With a range in stellar mass spanning nearly two orders of magnitude (1.4-0.02 Solar Masses), these data will allow for a detailed test of pre-main sequence stellar evolution models across the stellar-substellar boundary.
- Publication:
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Spitzer Proposal
- Pub Date:
- March 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019sptz.prop14243T