A new method for calculating the convergent point of a moving group

DOI10.1051/0004-6361/201118277zbMATH Open1260.85012arXiv1112.3542OpenAlexW2106745469WikidataQ59703278 ScholiaQ59703278MaRDI QIDQ4905979FDOQ4905979

Authors:

Publication date: 21 February 2013

Published in: Astronomy & Astrophysics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: Context: Convergent point (CP) search methods are important tools for studying the kinematic properties of open clusters and young associations whose members share the same spatial motion. Aims: We present a new CP search strategy based on proper motion data. We test the new algorithm on synthetic data and compare it with previous versions of the CP search method. As an illustration and validation of the new method we also present an application to the Hyades open cluster and a comparison with independent results. Methods: The new algorithm rests on the idea of representing the stellar proper motions by great circles over the celestial sphere and visualizing their intersections as the CP of the moving group. The new strategy combines a maximum-likelihood analysis for simultaneously determining the CP and selecting the most likely group members and a minimization procedure that returns a refined CP position and its uncertainties. The method allows one to correct for internal motions within the group and takes into account that the stars in the group lie at different distances. Results: Based on Monte Carlo simulations, we find that the new CP search method in many cases returns a more precise solution than its previous versions. The new method is able to find and eliminate more field stars in the sample and is not biased towards distant stars. The CP solution for the Hyades open cluster is in excellent agreement with previous determinations.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1112.3542

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zbMATH Keywords

astrometrymethods: statisticalmethods: analyticalproper motionsopen clusters and associations: individual: Hyades

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Applications of statistics to physics (62P35) Galactic and stellar dynamics (85A05) Statistical astronomy (85A35) Celestial mechanics (70F15)

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