Poster Abstracts

Name/Affiliation:  Kolby L. Weisenburger (Boston University)

Title:  Low-mass Wide Binaries from Kepler: Stellar Rotation Periods, Ages and Planetary Occurrence Rates

Abstract:
Using the Kepler Input Catalog and the fourth U.S. Naval Observatory CCD Astrograph Catalog, we have identified 1509 common proper motion binaries in the Kepler field of view and have verified their fidelity using a Galactic model and follow-up astrometric observations. We highlight a subset of this sample where at least one component is a low-mass companion and, as these pairs were initially targeted for a gyrochronology analysis, present measurements of stellar rotation periods and preliminary estimates of stellar ages. Two separate subsets of this sample are essential to understanding the properties of coeval systems and calibrating current gyrochronology models for cool stars. First, binaries with equal-mass components provide direct constraints on the intrinsic spread of stellar rotation and help refine current gyrochronology models since we expect both stars to share the same formation and evolutionary history. Second, pairs with one M dwarf and a higher mass companion allow us to infer the system’s age from the primary (where ages from isochrone fitting or gyrochronology are better calibrated) and independently calibrate the gyro method for low-mass stars. We will also highlight binary systems with orbiting planet candidates, or Kepler Objects of Interests, and discuss future techniques that can be used to identify additional low-mass binaries from Kepler.