Photometric Survey and Analysis of M29 and M52 Open Star Clusters at the University of Nevada, Reno

Abstract

One of the many tools at an astronomer’s disposal is photometry. By measuring the magnitudes of stars in star clusters in various wavelength filters we can obtain data that can provide important pieces of information about groups of stars. Conclusions can be obtained through photometry through the production of a color magnitude diagram, which can provide information about star clusters specifically. Given the expense involved in astronomy missions, obtaining inexpensive photometric measurements is of great interest to the scientific community to develop cheap, efficient, and accurate methods to obtain photometric data. This thesis aims to determine if these measurements can be taken at the university level, and if the measurements taken can be used to obtain the ages of the Messier 29 and Messier 52 open star clusters. I developed and implemented a method of obtaining color magnitude diagrams for M29 and M52, but I could not make strong conclusions about the ages of the clusters.