Data recently collected at the 4m telescope at Kitt Peak National
Observatory have provided us with many spectra of low mass (red dwarf) stars
that are in binary systems that eclipse. The velocities measured from these
spectra, coupled with the light curve data in the literature, allow us to
solve for the stellar masses and radii for which there is a paucity of data
due to the intrinsic faintness of these stars, which are the most numerous
in the galaxy. Comparisons with current stellar models reveal that these
stars are typically larger for their masses and increasing this sample will
better aid in refining the mass-radius relationship.
Back to the seminar webpage.
