Narrow-band photometry applications for galactic archaeology

Abstract

Galactic Archaeology is the field of research that aims to understand the origin and evolution of galaxies (and in particular, the Milky Way) through the chrono-chemo-dynamical properties observed in the present-day stars. In this project we take advantage of the new generation of multicolor surveys, like S-PLUS, which employ narrow-band photometry sensitive to stellar parameters like metallicity, surface gravity and stellar age. The proposal encompasses 4 broad projects, all related to the topics of Galactic Archaeology: i) Narrow-band based photometric surveys; ii) Low metallicity stars; iii) Galactic Structure; and iv) Stellar ages.i) The activities in the topic of photometric surveys involves the calibration and preparation of data releases for the S-PLUS survey (DR5, DR6 and DR7); the construction of a synthetic all-sky multi-color photometric catalog based on spectral data from Gaia DR3; and the development of a real-time calibration technique based on machine learning techniques.ii) This project will also focus on the use of narrow-band photometry to identify and analyze low metallicity stars, a topic that we have already explored with great success in the past S-PLUS Data Releases. By doing high-resolution spectroscopic follow-ups, we will continue to measure chemical abundances of peculiar metal-poor stars, which contributes to the development of chemical evolution models and the understanding of the relative contribution of different nucleosynthesis sites.iii) The stellar parameters derived from the narrow-band photometry will be used to characterize the stellar populations in several different substructures of our Galáxy, including halo substructures such as Gaia-Enceladus, the Sagittarius Stream, Sequoia, and Thamnos. We will also characterize the stellar populations in dozens of stellar streams identified in the halo and the disk of the Milky Way.iv) The project also includes the development and application of techniques to estimate stellar ages, including the kinematical method (ages based on the evolution of orbital properties) and the application of the isochronal method directly from narrow-band photometry. We will apply the methods to estimate the ages of stars with astrobiological interest (those with known rocky exoplanets located in the habitable zone) and to estimate the ages of interstellar asteroids (based on the orbital evolution and the energy exchange during the ejection process). (AU)