July 11-15, 2011
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Abstract

High Angular Resolution Observations of the Massive Stars in Cyg OB2

Saida Caballero-Nieves (Georgia State University)

Gies, D.R. (Georgia State University)

It is a widely accepted fact that massive stars love company and have a significant affect on the evolution of the universe, from galactic dynamics and structure to star formation. However, our knowledge of O-type multiple systems with periods in the range from years to thousands of years is incomplete. The Fine Guidance Sensors (FGS) on the Hubble Space Telescope and Adaptive Optics at the Gemini Observatory North are ideal for finding widely separated binaries at high angular resolution within a differential magnitude of 3 mag or greater and separations of at least 0.1 arcseconds. At a distance of 1.7 kpc, Cyg OB2 provides a nearby, young stellar environment, rich in high-mass stars. We observed 75 O- and early B-type stars and determined that 42% of the sample have at least one statistical companion.We present these initial results as part of an ongoing survey of O-stars with FGS.
(to be confirmed by the SOC)