Program: GS-2010A-Q-32

Title:Radial Velocity of Low-mass Candidates Members of Nearby Young Associations
PI:Lison Malo
Co-I(s): Rene Doyon, Etienne Artigau, David Lafreniere

Abstract

Young nearby associations provide a crucial sample of stars for studying the local star formation history, investigating the early phases of planet formation, and searching for exoplanets through direct imaging. While numerous new associations have been identified in the last decade, their members are mostly restricted to relatively massive F, G and K stars. Based on kinematics derived from the SIMP infrared proper motion survey, we have identified 130 highly probable young low-mass (>K5) members of the Beta Pictoris moving group, and the Tucana-Horologium and AB Doradus associations. All candidates also show prominent Halpha and X-ray emission. A confirmation of their membership requires, however, measurement of their radial velocity, this is what we propose to do with PHOENIX. Once their membership is confirmed, this new sample of young low-mass stars will provide ideal targets for direct imaging search of exoplanets with NICI and GPI. Through a 2009B time allocation, this project has already confirmed 10 late-type members of these associations.

Publications using this program's data