Clustering stellar pairs to detect extended stellar structures. Issue Volume 16:Issue S362(2020) (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sapozhnikov, Sergey; Kovaleva, Dana
• Editors: Bisikalo, Dmitry; Wiebe, Dmitri; Boily, Christian
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union. Volume 16:Issue S362(2020)
• Page Start: 150
• Page End: 151
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: stars: kinematics -- galaxies: structure -- galaxies: star clusters; Astronomy -- Congresses; Astronomy -- Periodicals; 520
• DOI: 10.1017/S1743921322001697
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-9213

Abstract

Abstract: Gaia data allows for search for extended stellar structures in phase (coordinates plus velocities) space. We describe a method of using DBSCAN clustering algorithm, which is used to group closely-packed-together data points, to a list of preliminary selected pairs of stars, with parameters expected to be found within stellar streams and comoving groups: loose structures in which stars are not gravitationally bound, but do share motion and evolutionary properties. To test our approach, we construct a model population of background stars, and use pair-constructing and clustering algorithms on it. Results show that transitioning to a list of pairs sharply reveals structures not presented in background model, which then become more apparent targets in coordinate-velocity phase space for DBSCAN algorithm thanks to now increased relative density of the extended stellar structure.