Application of USNO-B1.0 towards selecting objects with displaced blue and red components

TL;DR

This study demonstrates a method using USNO-B1.0 data to identify celestial objects with displaced red and blue components, such as binary stars and asymmetric galaxies, validated by SDSS data comparisons.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel technique leveraging residual vector analysis from USNO-B1.0 to detect objects with displaced color components, enhancing identification of binary systems and asymmetric galaxies.

Findings

Successfully identified 146 candidate objects with displaced components.

Approximately 25% of candidates matched SDSS data, confirming effectiveness.

Vectors from residuals aligned with SDSS pair angles, supporting the method's validity.

Abstract

We have conducted a feasibility study to determine the effectiveness of using USNO-B1.0 data to preferentially detect objects with displaced red and blue components. A procedure was developed to search catalogue entries for such objects, which include M dwarfs paired with white dwarfs or with earlier main-sequence stars, and galaxies with asymmetric colour distributions. Residual differences between red and blue and infrared and blue scanned emulsion images define vectors, which, when appropriately aligned and of sufficient length, signal potential candidates. Test sample sets were analysed to evaluate the effective discrimination of the technique. Over 91,000 USNO-B1.0 catalogue entries at points throughout the celestial sphere were then filtered for acceptable combinations of entry observations and magnitudes and the resulting total of about 17,000 entries was winnowed down to a little more than 200 objects of interest. These were screened by visual examination of photo images to a final total of 146 candidates. About one quarter of these candidates coincide with SDSS data. Those constituents fall into two groups, single and paired objects. SDSS identified several galaxies in the first group. Regarding the second group, at least half of its members were tentatively identified as main-sequence pairs, the greater portion being of widely separated spectral types. Two white dwarf--main-sequence pairs were also identified. Most importantly, the vectors formed from USNO-B1.0 residuals were in alignment with corresponding SDSS pair position angles, thereby supporting this work`s central thesis.