New Distance Measurements to the $\alpha$ Persei and Pleiades Clusters

Abstract

We apply the new distance measuring technique of Hendry, O'Dell and Collier- Cameron, 1993, to the Pleiades and $\alpha$ Persei clusters. The method relies on knowledge of the periods, rotation velocities and angular diameters of a sample of late-type stars within each cluster. The angular diameters were found by recalibrating the Barnes-Evans surface brightness relation. Applying our new distance method we derive a Pleiades distance in very good agreement with previous ZAMS fitting determinations, whereas our $\alpha$ Persei distance appears substantially greater. In response to this greater distance, we apply a recent semi-empirical main-seqeunce fitting technique to $\alpha$ Persei and confirm the findings of our new distance indicator. (Figures / preprint available on request)

Plain Latex version 3.1, 15 pages, Sussex-AST-93/9-3. Submitted to MNRAS

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