Lunch talk on Dec. 2, 2024

Galactic Stellar Halo Luminosity Function

Speaker: Sarah A. Bird (China Three Gorges University)

Venue: SWIFAR Building 2111

Time: 12:45 PM, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024

Abstract: 

We measure the stellar halo luminosity function using a magnitude complete, tangential velocity-selected sample from Gaia DR3. The dimmest subdwarfs found reach an absolute M_G magnitude near 14 mag, and the dimmest halo white dwarfs reach 15 mag. We find a turnover in the subdwarf luminosity function at M_G around 10 mag after which the function falls to the extent of the subdwarf branch at 14 mag. The stellar halo sample contains more stars and probes a wider range of absolute magnitudes than previous studies. We convert the Gaia G band to Johnson's V and find the stellar halo luminosity compares well with previous results. In further efforts we will use this result to measure the stellar halo mass function and mass-to-light ratio.

Report PPT:  SWIFAR_Sarah Bird.pdf