Adventures in J- and H-Band Photometry of Evolved Stars

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Aaron J. Bradley

Robert E. Stencel

University of Denver, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Denver, CO 80208

Received January 7, 2008; revised May 1, 2008; accepted May 30, 2008

Abstract
Among the classes of objects optimized for angular diameter measurements by current generation astronomical interferometers are nearby red giant stars. Precision diameters can help constrain atmospheric and evolution models thereof, but many of these stars are intrinsically variable and thus must be monitored during intervals when interferometry is planned. Using an Optec SSP-4 photometer, we obtained the J- and H-band magnitudes of a sample of such stars being studied by the Palomar Testbed Interferometer, and report results here.