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REFINING THE CENSUS OF THE UPPER SCORPIUS ASSOCIATION WITH GAIA
K L Luhman1,2, T L Esplin3,4
1Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
This study refines the census of young stars in the Upper Sco association using Gaia astrometry and spectral data. Researchers found that the fraction of stars with circumstellar disks increases with lower stellar masses.
Area of Science:
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Stellar Evolution
- Exoplanetary Science
Background:
- The Upper Sco association is a nearby young star-forming region crucial for understanding stellar and planetary system formation.
- Previous studies have identified members and characterized circumstellar disks, but a refined census is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create an updated and comprehensive catalog of members in the Upper Sco association.
- To investigate the prevalence of circumstellar disks across a range of stellar masses within Upper Sco.
- To compare the age of Upper Sco with other young associations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized high-precision astrometry from Gaia Data Release 2 to refine member selection.
- Obtained spectra for candidate members to determine spectral types and confirm youth.
- Analyzed mid-infrared photometry (WISE, Spitzer) to identify circumstellar disks.
- Compared low-mass stellar sequences in Gaia photometry to estimate relative ages.
Main Results:
- A catalog of 1761 confirmed members of the Upper Sco association was established.
- The distribution of spectral types suggests an initial mass function similar to other star-forming regions.
- The fraction of stars with circumstellar disks increases with decreasing stellar mass (up to ~22% for 0.01-0.3 M☉).
- Upper Sco is estimated to be approximately half the age of the Beta Pictoris association.
Conclusions:
- The refined census provides a robust sample for studying stellar populations and disk evolution in young associations.
- The mass-dependent prevalence of circumstellar disks supports theories of planet formation.
- Upper Sco represents a valuable laboratory for studying early stellar and planetary system evolution at a young age.
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