Bibcode
Brogaard, K.; VandenBerg, D. A.; Bruntt, H.; Grundahl, F.; Frandsen, S.; Bedin, L. R.; Milone, A. P.; Dotter, A.; Feiden, G. A.; Stetson, P. B.; Sandquist, E.; Miglio, A.; Stello, D.; Jessen-Hansen, J.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 543, id.A106
Advertised on:
7
2012
Journal
Citations
155
Refereed citations
133
Description
Context. Models of stellar structure and evolution can be constrained by
measuring accurate parameters of detached eclipsing binaries in open
clusters. Multiple binary stars provide the means to determine helium
abundances in these old stellar systems, and in turn, to improve
estimates of their age. Aims: In the first paper of this series,
we demonstrated how measurements of multiple eclipsing binaries in the
old open cluster NGC 6791 sets tighter constraints on the properties of
stellar models than has previously been possible, thereby potentially
improving both the accuracy and precision of the cluster age. Here we
add additional constraints and perform an extensive model comparison to
determine the best estimates of the cluster age and helium content,
employing as many observational constraints as possible. Methods:
We improve our photometry and correct empirically for differential
reddening effects. We then perform an extensive comparison of the new
colour-magnitude diagrams (CMDs) and eclipsing binary measurements to
Victoria and DSEP isochrones in order to estimate cluster parameters. We
also reanalyse a spectrum of the star 2-17 to improve [Fe/H]
constraints. Results: We find a best estimate of the age of ~8.3
Gyr for NGC 6791 while demonstrating that remaining age uncertainty is
dominated by uncertainties in the CNO abundances. The helium mass
fraction is well constrained at Y = 0.30±0.01 resulting in
ΔY/ΔZ ~ 1.4 assuming that such a relation exists. During the
analysis we firmly identify blue straggler stars, including the star
2-17, and find indications for the presence of their evolved
counterparts. Our analysis supports the RGB mass-loss found from
asteroseismology and we determine precisely the absolute mass of stars
on the lower RGB, MRGB = 1.15±0.02 M&sun;.
This will be an important consistency check for the detailed
asteroseismology of cluster stars. Conclusions: Using multiple,
detached eclipsing binaries for determining stellar cluster ages, it is
now possible to constrain parameters of stellar models, notably the
helium content, which were previously out of reach. By observing a
suitable number of detached eclipsing binaries in several open clusters,
it will be possible to calibrate the age-scale and the helium enrichment
parameter Δ Y/Δ Z, and provide firm constraints that stellar
models must reproduce.
Based on observations carried out at the Nordic Optical Telescope at La
Palma and ESO’s VLT/UVES ESO, Paranal, Chile (75.D-0206A,
77.D-0827A, 81.D-0091).Photometric data are only available at the CDS
via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/543/A106
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