Bibcode
Beers, T. C.; Allende Prieto, C.; Wilhelm, R.; Brown, W.; Geller, M. J.; Kenyon, S.; Kurtz, M.
Bibliographical reference
American Astronomical Society, 201st AAS Meeting, #115.02; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 34, p.1290
Advertised on:
12
2002
Citations
0
Refereed citations
0
Description
We describe new methods of analysis that have been developed in order to
make optimal use of the stellar spectral data obtained during the course
of follow-up medium-resolution observations of color-selected stars from
the ``Century Survey.'' The initial selection of stars in the stellar
component of the Century Survey is based on broadband V and R photometry
covering a strip of 1o x 64o degrees over the
range 8h5 <= R.A. <= 13h5 . We have endeavored to identify stars
of spectral type A, in particular those stars which are likely to be
field horizontal-branch (FHB) stars, as well as those at or near the
main-sequence turnoff of the halo and thick-disk populations. Once the
candidates are identified, we obtain medium-resolution spectroscopy of
the sample using the FAST spectrograph on the Tillinghast 60" telescope
on Mount Hopkins. These data are supplemented, where available, with JHK
photometry obtained from early release 2MASS data. The spectra are
analyzed with LTE model atmospheres to determine effective temperatures,
metallicities, and gravities for the sample. In addition, we obtain
estimates of C/Fe and Mg/Fe ratios from the strength of the CH G-band
and the Mb I triplet. As the spectra are flux calibrated, we used the
best-matching synthetic spectra and stellar evolutionary calculations to
estimate distances to dwarfs and giants. Three different methods have
been used to identify FHB stars, and to distinguish them from their
higher surface gravity counterparts of similar temperature (many of
which are likely to be blue stragglers). Distances to FHB stars are
obtained using previously published relationships between their
luminosity, temperature, and metal abundance. These data are then used
to perform kinematic analyses of the sample, as described in a separate
abstract.