Direct determination of effective temperatures for calibrators in the Gaia mission and the Gaia-ESO-Survey

• Applicant: Iva Karovicova, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2016 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 320160824

The overall research aim of the project is to assist in delivering precise atmospheric parameters of stars observed by large stellar surveys of the Milky Way, e.g., the astrometric space mission Gaia and its plethora of ground-based complementary surveys. We obtained interferometric observations of stars that are used as calibrating standards in the Gaia mission and the Gaia-ESO Survey. The interferometric observations provide precise measurements of angular diameters, and deliver accurate direct determination of effective temperatures that are independent of traditional spectroscopic and photometric techniques. The scientific goal of the research visit is the data reduction and analysis of the obtained interferometric observations. The results will be used for deriving effective temperatures. The directly determined effective temperatures are necessary for testing and improving stellar-atmosphere models and synthetic spectra that are required for the correct assessment of the atmospheric parameters of the Gaia-ESO and Gaia sources. The project will be accomplish in close collaboration with the Gaia-ESO Public Spectroscopic Survey, together with the Gaia-ESO Survey members at the Institute of Astronomy in Cambridge (host institute).

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: United Kingdom
• Host: Professor Gerry F. Gilmore, Ph.D.