Putting Pre-Main-Sequence Stellar Evolution Theory to the Test: Interiors and Angular Momentum

University Of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI

Investigators

Abstract

Mathieu, Robert "Putting Pre-Main-Sequence Stellar Evolution to the Test: Interiors and Angular Momentum" AST-0098417 During the course of this award the physical characteristics of young, recently formed stars will be studied by detecting and modeling those stars that form eclipsing binary systems. Through the distribution of rotational velocities among stars in two star clusters of different ages, an attempt will be made to understand the angular momentum loss mechanisms which are effective in the early evolution of single and binary stars. The two star clusters to be studies in detail are the Orion Nebula cluster, with age about 1 million years and the 100 million year old cluster NGC 2516. The main objective of this research is to investigate whether the presently understood mechanisms of stellar angular momentum evolution can change the rotation period distribution within the younger cluster into that observed in the older cluster. ***