CTIO REU 1998 Student Project

Jomel Atienza-Rosel
California State University, Los Angeles

Project Title:
Integrated Photometry of Globular Clusters
in the LMC and M33

Mentors:
Bob Schommer and Nick Suntzeff

Jomel Atienza-Rosel, Chris Smith (standing in for Bob Schommer), and Nick Suntzeff

Abstract

This project focused on the integrated properties of the globular cluster systems in the bar of the Large Magellanic Cloud and in M33. The objective is to study the age-metallicity relation of the clusters in these galaxies, and investigate factors which may affect this relation. For this purpose the basic properties of the clusters, such as the mass and density distribution, are first determined to find similar clusters from both of the galaxies. We used a King-model fitting program to determine the parameters of several clusters in both the LMC and M33. These clusters will then be the focus of more detailed comparative studies to investigate the age-metallicity relation.