Related papers: Biases in the Main Sequence Fitting Distances to G…
We analyze in detail various possible sources of systematic errors on the distances of globular clusters derived by fitting a local template DA white dwarf sequence to the cluster counterpart (the so-called WD-fitting technique). We find…
We discuss the impact of Population II and Globular Cluster (GCs) stars on the derivation of the age of the Universe, and on the study of the formation and early evolution of galaxies, our own in particular. The long-standing problem of the…
The difference between the Hipparcos open cluster distance scale and that obtained from main sequence fitting is examined. The two color main sequence fitting technique of Pinsonneault et al. (1998) is extended to NGC 2516, NGC 6475, and…
Parallax data from the Hipparcos mission allow the direct distance to open clusters to be compared with the distance inferred from main sequence (MS) fitting. There are surprising differences between the two distance measurements, which…
We review the results on distances and absolute ages of galactic globular clusters (GCs) obtained after the release of the Hipparcos catalogue. Several methods for the Population II local distance scale are discussed, exploiting NEW RESULTS…
The present status of the distance scale to Galactic globular clusters is reviewed. Six distance determination techniques which are deemed to be most reliable are discussed in depth. These different techniques are used to calibrate the…
We present a determination of the distance modulus of the globular cluster NGC 5904 (M 5), obtained by means of the subdwarf main-sequence fitting on the (V,V-I) color-magnitude diagram. The subdwarf sample has been selected from the…
We have used new parallax measurements, obtained by the Hipparcos satellite, of fifteen nearby, metal-poor stars to re-define the subdwarf main-sequence. All of these stars have parallaxes determined to an accuracy of at least 12 %.…
A globular cluster distance scale based on Hipparcos parallaxes of subdwarfs has been used to derive estimates of M_K for cluster Miras, including one in the SMC globular cluster NGC121. These lead to a zero-point of the Mira infrared…
New estimate of the distances of 36 nearby galaxies is presented. It is based on the calibration of the V- and I-band Period-Lumi- nosity relations for galactic Cepheids measured by the HIPPARCOS mission. The distance moduli are obtained in…
We show that the errors in the Hipparcos parallaxes towards the Pleiades and the Hyades open clusters are spatially correlated over angular scales of 2 to 3 deg, with an amplitude of up to 2 mas. This correlation is stronger than expected…
In the context of the luminosity calibration of the nearer stars I discuss the Hipparcos results on distances to nearby OB associations and open clusters. The shortcomings and assumptions in the analyses used to derive these results are…
We review five independent techniques which are used to set the distance scale to globular clusters, including subdwarf main sequence fitting utilizing the recent Hipparcos parallax catalogue. These data together all indicate that globular…
This contribution is intended as a `rough guide' to the Hipparcos Catalogue for the non-expert user. Some general aspects of the use of astrometric data are discussed as well as Hipparcos-specific applications. We discuss when and at what…
Since the release of the Hipparcos catalog in 1997, the distance to the Pleiades open cluster has been heavily debated. The distance obtained from Hipparcos and those by alternative methods differ by 10 to 15 %. As accurate stellar…
Hipparcos parallax measurements of stars in the Pleiades notoriously result in a cluster distance of 118 pc; ~10% shorter than the `classical' results of MS-fitting. In an earlier paper we developed a purely empirical MS-fitting method to…
Globular clusters (GCs) are often used to estimate the dark matter content of galaxies, especially dwarfs, where other kinematic tracers are lacking. These estimates typically assume spherical symmetry and dynamical equilibrium, assumptions…
Context. In the absence of complete kinematic data it has not previously been possible to furnish accurate lists of member stars for all moving groups. There has been an unresolved dispute concerning the apparent inconsistency of the…
We have used main-sequence fitting to calibrate the distances to the globular clusters NGC 6397, M5, NGC 288, M71 and 47 Tucanae, matching the cluster photometry against data for subdwarfs with precise Hipparcos parallax measurements and…
We report here initial but still strongly conclusive results on absolute ages of galactic globular clusters (GGCs). This study is based on high precision trigonometric parallaxes from the HIPPARCOS satellite coupled with accurate metal…