Constraining Stellar Evolutionary Models

California Institute Of Technology, Pasadena CA

Investigators

Abstract

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). Dr. Andrew F. Boden of the California Institute of Technology will undertake a study of the properties of binary stars at various stages of their lives. Binary stars are fundamental calibrators of stellar evolution, since the masses of the stars and the distance to each system can be accurately determined. This in turn yields the stellar luminosity, which measures the rate of nuclear energy generation. This award will support an established program of interferometric, astrometric, and radial velocities of binaries, including recently formed binaries and those with a high abundance of iron-peak elements. The project is expected to improve physical models of stars and to provide important information on the process of star formation.