Variability of Young Massive Stars in the Arches Cluster: Accurate Photometry with Adaptive Optics

Abstract

We present preliminary results of the first near-infrared variability study of the Arches cluster, using adaptive optics data from NIRI/Gemini and NACO/VLT. The goal is to discover eclipsing binaries in this young (2.5 $\pm$ 0.5 Myr), dense, massive cluster for which we will determine accurate fundamental parameters with subsequent spectroscopy. Given that the Arches cluster contains more than 200 Wolf-Rayet and O-type stars, it provides a rare opportunity to determine parameters for some of the most massive stars in the Galaxy.

arXiv comment2 pages, to appear in the proceedings of the IAUS 282 on "From Interacting Binaries to Exoplanets: Essential Modelling Tools" (Tatranska Lomnica, July 18-22, 2011), Cambridge University Press