Ned-allsky

The Angular Diameter of λ Boötis

April 2007 • 2007ApJ...659.1623C

Authors • Ciardi, David R. • van Belle, Gerard T. • Boden, Andrew F. • ten Brummelaar, T. • McAlister, H. A. • Bagnuolo, W. G., Jr. • Goldfinger, P. J. • Sturmann, J. • Sturmann, L. • Turner, N. • Berger, D. H. • Thompson, R. R. • Ridgway, S. T.

Abstract • Using the CHARA Array and the Palomar Testbed Interferometer, the chemically peculiar star λ Boötis has been spatially resolved. We have measured the limb darkened angular diameter to be θLD=0.533+/-0.029 mas, corresponding to a linear radius of R*=1.70+/-0.10 Rsolar. The measured angular diameter yields an effective temperature for λ Boo of Teff=8887+/-242 K. Based on literature surface gravity estimates spanning logg=4.0-4.2 cm s-2, we have derived a stellar mass range of M*=1.1-1.7 Msolar. For a given surface gravity, the linear radius uncertainty contributes approximately σ(M*)=0.1-0.2 Msolar to the total mass uncertainty. The uncertainty in the mass (i.e., the range of derived masses) is primarily a result of the uncertainty in the surface gravity. The upper bound of our derived mass range (logg=4.2, M*=1.7+/-0.2 Msolar) is consistent with 100-300 Myr solar metallicity evolutionary models. The midrange of our derived masses (logg=4.1, M*=1.3+/-0.2 Msolar) is consistent with 2-3 Gyr metal-poor evolutionary models. A more definitive surface gravity determination is required to determine a more precise mass for λ Boo.

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David Ciardi

Senior Scientist