Program: GS-2021A-Q-323

Title:Completing a Speckle Survey for Companions to a Volume-Limited Sample of 1265 of the Nearest K Dwarfs
PI:Todd Henry
Co-I(s): Dana Casetti, Elliott Horch, Steve Howell, Leonardo Paredes, Jennifer Winters

Abstract

We propose for 22 hours of time using 'Alopeke at Gemini-N and 22 hours using Zorro at Gemini-S to finish observing an equatorial sample of 1265 K dwarfs within 40 pc at high resolution. Stellar companions 5 magnitudes or more fainter with separations of less than 0.1 AU to 100 AU will be revealed. The goals are to (1) finish a sweep of the entire sample, of which 61% have already been observed, (2) complete the statistical basis for stellar multiplicity, (3) confirm previously discovered companions, and (4) map their orbits to evaluate orbital architectures. When combined with our radial velocity and wide-field surveys, the results will provide key context for multiple star and solar system formation.