
arXiv: astro-ph/9506054
Optical/infrared photometry can double the number of proper motion measurements of Massive Compact Objects (MACHOs) relative to single band photometry. The proper motion of a MACHO can be measured by finding the ratio $q$ of the (known) radius of the source star to the Einstein radius of the MACHO, $q=��_s/��_e$. A classic method for doing this is to look for the effect on the light curve of the finite size of the source. A modification of this method proposed by Witt (1995) is to look for color changes in the light curve due to the fact that the limb darkening of the source is different in different bands. We demonstrate that the ``classical'' method is not feasible unless the MACHO actually transits the source: if the MACHO passes at say 1.5 source radii, there is still a sizable $\sim 5\%$ effect, but the light curve cannot be distinguished from point-source light curves with different parameters. However, color measurements in $V$ $(0.55\,��$m) and $H$ $(1.65\,��$m) reduce the errors by a factor $\sim 120$ and permit proper motion measurements at impact parameters of up to 2 source radii. Color maps in $V-H$ are also useful in the detection of planetary systems. Giant stars have a ``red ring'' in such maps. A planet which transits this ring gives rise to a distinctive signature which can help in the measurement of the planetary system's proper motion.
15 pages, uuencoded postscript, includes 3 figures. Also available at http://www.physics.mcmaster.ca/Welch_Preprints/OIR_mpm.ps
Astrophysics (astro-ph), FOS: Physical sciences, Astrophysics
Astrophysics (astro-ph), FOS: Physical sciences, Astrophysics
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 51 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
