학술논문

Precise Age for the Binary Star System 12 Com in the Coma Berenices Cluster
Document Type
article
Source
The Astronomical Journal, Vol 166, Iss 1, p 29 (2023)
Subject
Stellar ages
Interferometric binary stars
White dwarf stars
Stellar evolution
Open star clusters
Spectroscopic binary stars
Astronomy
QB1-991
Language
English
ISSN
1538-3881
Abstract
We present measurements of the interferometrically resolved binary star system 12 Com and the single giant star 31 Com in the cluster Coma Berenices. 12 Com is a double-lined spectroscopic binary system consisting of a G7 giant and an A3 dwarf at the cluster turnoff. Using an extensive radial velocity data set and interferometric measurements from the Palomar Testbed Interferometer and the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy array, we measured masses M _1 = 2.64 ± 0.07 M _⊙ and M _2 = 2.10 ± 0.03 M _⊙ . Interferometry also allows us to resolve the giant and measure its size as R _1 = 9.12 ± 0.12 ± 0.01 R _⊙ . With the measured masses and radii, we find an age of 533 ± 41 ± 42 Myr. For comparison, we measure the radius of 31 Com to be 8.36 ± 0.15 R _⊙ . Based on the photometry and radius measurements, 12 Com A is likely the most evolved bright star in the cluster, large enough to be in the red giant phase, but too small to have core helium burning. Simultaneous knowledge of 12 Com A’s mass and photometry puts strong constraints on convective core overshooting during the main-sequence phase, which in turn reduces systematic uncertainties in the age. Increased precision in measuring this system also improves our knowledge of the progenitor of the cluster white dwarf WD1216+260.