Unveiling new members in five nearby young moving groups

TL;DR

This study identified over 100 potential new members in five nearby young moving groups using combined astrometric, photometric, and X-ray data, with 35 confirmed as probable members through spectroscopic analysis, aiding exoplanet research.

Contribution

The paper presents a new method for identifying young moving group members by combining multiple data types and applying strict selection criteria, resulting in the discovery of several new probable members.

Findings

Identified 35 new probable members across five young moving groups.

Confirmed some members with consistent parallaxes and spectroscopic data.

Discovered a new AB Dor moving group member serendipitously.

Abstract

In the last decade many kinematic groups of young stars (<100 Myr) were discovered in the solar neighbourhood. Since the most interesting period of planet formation overlaps with the age of these groups, their well dated members are attractive targets for exoplanet searches by direct imaging. We combined astrometric, photometric and X-ray data, and applied strict selection criteria to explore the stellar content of five nearby moving groups. We identified more than 100 potential new candidate members in the {\ss} Pic moving group, and in the Tucana-Horologium, Columba, Carina, and Argus associations. In order to further assess and confirm their membership status, we analysed radial velocity data and lithium equivalent widths extracted from high-resolution spectra of 54 candidate stars. We identified 35 new probable/possible young moving group members: 4 in the {\ss} Pic moving group, 11 in the Columba association, 16 in the Carina association, and 4 in the Argus association. We found serendipitiously a new AB Dor moving group member as well. For four Columba systems Hipparcos based parallaxes have already been available and as they are consistent with the predicted kinematic parallaxes, they can be considered as secure new members.