A Photometric Method for Identifying Binaries
Abstract
Our goal is to create a data-driven photometric method for discovering binary companions for O-, B-, and A-type stars. Using all-sky surveys Tycho-2, 2MASS, and WISE, we compare the photometry for a sample of 972 stars of known spectral type to model spectral energy distributions based on Kurucz model atmospheres, identifying those which closely match the models and show no signs of binarity or contamination by dust emission. This sample allows us to compute intrinsic photometric colors as a function of spectral type and luminosity class which are then used as the benchmark for other stars. Unique color excesses for dust emission and binarity are independently identified, and the method is tested by removing the sample color excesses to recover the primary spectral type colors. By combining survey photometry with spectral types, we have a straightforward method for identifying approximate spectral types of binary companion stars.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #235
- Pub Date:
- January 2020
- Bibcode:
- 2020AAS...23511415P