First microlensing candidate towards M 31 from the Nainital Microlensing Survey

Joshi, Y. C. ; Pandey, A. K. ; Narasimha, D. ; Sagar, R. (2005) First microlensing candidate towards M 31 from the Nainital Microlensing Survey Astronomy & Astrophysics, 433 (3). pp. 787-795. ISSN 0004-6361

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Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20042357

Abstract

We report our first microlensing candidate NMS-E1 towards M 31 from the data accumulated during the four years of Nainital Microlensing Survey. Cousin R and I band observations of ~13' × 13'field in the direction of M 31 have been carried out since 1998 and data is analysed using the pixel technique proposed by the AGAPE collaboration. NMS-E1 lies in the disk of M 31 at α= 0b43m33δ3 and δ=+41° 06'44", about 15.5 arcmin to the South-East direction of the center of M 31. The degenerate Paczynski fit gives a half intensity duration of ~59 days. The photometric analysis of the candidate shows that it reached R~20.1 mag at the time of maximum brightness and the colour of the source star was estimated to be (R-I) O~1.1mag. The microlensing candidate is blended by red variable stars; consequently the light curves do not strictly follow the characteristic Paczynski shape and achromatic nature. However its long period monitoring and similar behaviour in R and I bands supports its microlensing nature.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to EDP Sciences.
Keywords:Cosmology: Dark Matter; Galaxy: Halo; Galaxies: Local Group; Gravitational Lensing; Methods: Data Analysis
ID Code:91827
Deposited On:24 May 2012 12:33
Last Modified:19 May 2016 05:29

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