Extinctions and distances of dark clouds from UGRIJHK photometry of red clump giants: the North America and Pelican nebulae complex

TL;DR

This paper explores a method using multi-band photometry of red giants to determine distances to dark clouds and map dust density, applied specifically to the North America and Pelican nebulae complex.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach combining various photometric data to accurately measure dark cloud distances and dust surface density using red clump giants.

Findings

Successful application to the North America and Pelican nebulae complex

Red clump giants can be effectively isolated for distance measurements

Interstellar extinction data helps map dust surface density

Abstract

A possibility of applying 2MASS J, H, Ks, IPHAS r, i and MegaCam u, g photometry of red giants for determining distances to dark clouds is investigated. Red clump giants with a small admixture of G5-K1 and M2-M3 stars of the giant branch can be isolated and used in determining distances to separate clouds or spiral arms. The method is applied to an area of the North America and Pelican nebulae complex. Interstellar extinctions of background red giants can be also used for mapping dust surface density in the cloud.