Variability of Young Massive Stars in the Arches Cluster: Accurate Photometry with Adaptive Optics

TL;DR

This study investigates the variability of young massive stars in the Arches cluster using adaptive optics, aiming to identify eclipsing binaries and determine fundamental stellar parameters.

Contribution

First near-infrared variability analysis of the Arches cluster utilizing adaptive optics data to find eclipsing binaries among its massive stars.

Findings

Preliminary identification of variable stars in the cluster.

Potential discovery of eclipsing binary systems.

Foundation for future spectroscopic parameter determination.

Abstract

We present preliminary results of the first near-infrared variability study of the Arches cluster, using adaptive optics data from NIRI/Gemini and NACO/VLT. The goal is to discover eclipsing binaries in this young (2.5 $\pm$ 0.5 Myr), dense, massive cluster for which we will determine accurate fundamental parameters with subsequent spectroscopy. Given that the Arches cluster contains more than 200 Wolf-Rayet and O-type stars, it provides a rare opportunity to determine parameters for some of the most massive stars in the Galaxy.