Galactic archaeology for amateur astronomers: RR Lyrae stars as tracers of the Milky Way formation

Carballo-Bello, J. A.; Martínez-Delgado, D.; Fliri, J.
Referencia bibliográfica

The Role of Astronomy in Society and Culture, Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, IAU Symposium, Volume 260, p. E34

Fecha de publicación:
6
2011
Número de autores
3
Número de autores del IAC
3
Número de citas
0
Número de citas referidas
0
Descripción
Cosmological models predict that large galaxies like the Milky Way formed from the accretion of smaller stellar systems. The most spectacular of these merger events are stellar tidal streams, rivers of stars and dark matter that envelop the discs of spiral galaxies. We present a research project for a collaboration with amateur astronomers in the study of the formation process of our Galaxy. The main objective is the search for RR Lyrae variable stars in the known stellar streams (Sagitarius, Monoceros, Orphan, etc) a project that can be carried out using small telescopes. The catalogue of candidate variable stars were selected from SDSS data based in colour criteria and it will be sent to interested amateur astronomers who wish to participate in scientific research in one of the most active and competitive topics in Galactic astronomy.