Benchmark Objects Research Articles

IC 2602: a lithium depletion boundary age and new candidate low-mass stellar members★

We report the results from a photometric and spectroscopic survey of ∼1.4 deg 2 of the young open cluster IC 2602. Fourteen objects have been identified as having magnitudes, spectral types and radial velocities consistent with being probable or possible low-mass stellar members of the cluster. We have used the observed location of the lithium depletion boundary in the sequence defined by these objects to place a new and improved constraint on the cluster age, τ = 46 +6 −5 Myr. This new determination is larger by a factor ∼1.3–1.8 than the majority of age estimates which have been obtained using the main-sequence turn-off or pre-main-sequence isochrone techniques. It is thus consistent with the trend indicated by the results of similar studies on other young open clusters. Based on this new age, we set a lower limit on the cluster mass function over the range M = 0.054 − 0.24 M⊙, dn/dM > 46 M −1 ⊙ . If the mass function of IC 2602 has a form similar to that of other young clusters and associations then future wide, deep surveys can expect to unearth at least a handful of brown dwarfs which could potentially serve as benchmark objects.

THE LOWEST-MASS MEMBER OF THE β PICTORIS MOVING GROUP

We present spectral and kinematic evidence that 2MASS J06085283-2753583 (M8.5gamma) is a member of the beta Pictoris Moving Group (BPMG, age ~12 Myr), making it the latest-type known member of this young, nearby association. We confirm low-gravity spectral morphology at both medium and high resolutions in the near-infrared. We present new radial velocity and proper motion measurements and use these to calculate galactic location and space motion consistent with other high-probability members of the BPMG. The predicted mass range consistent with the object's effective temperature, surface gravity, spectral type, and age is 15-35 M_Jup, placing 2MASS 0608-27 well within the brown dwarf mass regime. 2MASS J06085283-2753583 is thus confidently added to the short list of very low mass, intermediate age benchmark objects that inform ongoing searches for the lowest-mass members of nearby young associations.

Discovery of the first wide L dwarf + giant binary system and eight other ultracool dwarfs in wide binaries

We identify 806 ultra-cool dwarfs from their SDSS riz photometry (of which 34 are newly discovered L dwarfs) and obtain proper motions through cross matching with UKIDSS and 2MASS. Proper motion and distance constraints show that nine of our ultra-cool dwarfs are members of widely separated binary systems; SDSS 0101 (K5V+M9.5V), SDSS 0207 (M1.5V+L3V), SDSS 0832 (K3III+L3.5V), SDSS 0858 (M4V+L0V), SDSS 0953 (M4V+M9.5V), SDSS 0956 (M2V+M9V), SDSS 1304 (M4.5V+L0V), SDSS 1631 (M5.5V+M8V), SDSS 1638 (M4V+L0V). One of these (SDSS 0832) is shown to be a companion to the bright K3 giant Eta Cancri. Such primaries can provide age and metallicity constraints for any companion objects, yielding excellent benchmark objects. Eta Cancri AB is the first wide ultra-cool dwarf + giant binary system identified. We present new observations and analysis that constrain the metallicity of Eta Cancri A to be near solar, and use recent evolutionary models to constrain the age of the giant to be 2.2-6.1 Gyr. If Eta Cancri B is a single object, we estimate its physical attributes to be; mass = 63-82 M_Jup, T_eff = 1800+/-150 K, log g = 5.3-5.5, [M/H] = 0.0+/-0.1. Its colours are non typical when compared to other ultra-cool dwarfs, and we also assess the possibility that Eta Cancri B is itself an unresolved binary, showing that the combined light of an L4 + T4 system could provide a reasonable explanation for its colours.

Evaluation of 3D surface scanners for skin documentation in forensic medicine: comparison of benchmark surfaces

BackgroundTwo 3D surface scanners using collimated light patterns were evaluated in a new application domain: to document details of surfaces similar to the ones encountered in forensic skin pathology. Since these scanners have not been specifically designed for forensic skin pathology, we tested their performance under practical constraints in an application domain that is to be considered new.MethodsTwo solid benchmark objects containing relevant features were used to compare two 3D surface scanners: the ATOS-II (GOM, Germany) and the QTSculptor (Polygon Technology, Germany). Both scanners were used to capture and process data within a limited amount of time, whereas point-and-click editing was not allowed. We conducted (a) a qualitative appreciation of setup, handling and resulting 3D data, (b) an experimental subjective evaluation of matching 3D data versus photos of benchmark object regions by a number of 12 judges who were forced to state their preference for either of the two scanners, and (c) a quantitative characterization of both 3D data sets comparing 220 single surface areas with the real benchmark objects in order to determine the recognition rate's possible dependency on feature size and geometry.ResultsThe QTSculptor generated significantly better 3D data in both qualitative tests (a, b) that we had conducted, possibly because of a higher lateral point resolution; statistical evaluation (c) showed that the QTSculptor-generated data allowed the discrimination of features as little as 0.3 mm, whereas ATOS-II-generated data allowed for discrimination of features sized not smaller than 1.2 mm.ConclusionIt is particularly important to conduct specific benchmark tests if devices are brought into new application domains they were not specifically designed for; using a realistic test featuring forensic skin pathology features, QT Sculptor-generated data quantitatively exceeded manufacturer's specifications, whereas ATOS-II-generated data was within the limits of the manufacturer's specifications. When designing practically constrained specific tests, benchmark objects should be designed to contain features relevant for the application domain. As costs for 3D scanner hardware, software and data analysis can be hundred times as high compared to high-resolution digital photography equipment, independent user driven evaluation of such systems is paramount.Index termsForensic pathology, Rough surfaces, Surface Scanning, Technology Assessment

Coarse filters for shape matching

This article describes the coarse shape filters that support the 3D, Internet-based search engine ShapeSifter, which aims to locate parts already in production that have a shape similar to a desired new part. The search engine analyzes the target model's shape characteristics and performs a similarity match on the database's contents. Our main challenge is identifying shape metrics that produce effective characterizations of 3D models for similarity comparison. We focus on using three novel convex hull-based indices to carry out a preliminary coarse filtering of candidates prior to more detailed analysis. We also describe the crucial role played by two databases of benchmark objects. Unlike other shape-matching systems, we chose ShapeSifter's architecture (multistep query), 3D representation (triangulated mesh), and implementation (Java3D) to allow deployment online once it matures.

Optical positions of compact extragalactic radio sources with respect to the Hipparcos Catalogue

Optical positions relative to the Hipparcos Catalogue, and therefore within the International Celestial Reference System (ICRS), have been obtained for the optical counterparts of 25 compact extragalactic radio sources (CERS) south of +10 .M ost of these sources are being monitored as Benchmark objects for the establishment of a unied extragalactic radio/optical ref- erence frame. Precision levels as good as 0.1 00 in both co- ordinates were achieved. A comparison with VLBI radio positions available for these sources is presented. A nding chart is given for the optical counterpart of Q 1937 101. To a limiting magnitude of B 20:5, no optical counter- part was found for the source 1148-671.

Optical astrometry of Benchmark radio sources

Optical positions relative to the International Reference Stars Catalogue (IRS), and therefore in the sys- tem of the FK5, have been obtained for the optical coun- terparts of 40 compact extragalactic radio sources south of +6. Many of these sources are being consid- ered as possible Benchmark objects for the establishment of a quasi inertial unied radio/optical reference frame. Precision levels as good as 0.1 00 in both coordinates were achieved. A comparison with VLBI radio positions avail- able for these sources is presented. We give new evidence for the existence of an oset in the origin of right ascension between the radio and optical reference frames as dened at present.