CHARA Array Measures Limb Darkening on 31 Nearby Stars

Astronomers using the CHARA Array measured limb darkening for 31 nearby stars at near-infrared wavelengths of 1.6 and 2.2 microns. The longer wavelength showed about 38% weaker limb darkening than the shorter one, while stellar atmosphere models predict only a 20% difference.

• Observations used 1.6 and 2.2 micron near-infrared wavelengths
• Limb darkening at 2.2 microns was 38% weaker than at 1.6 microns
• Stellar atmosphere models predict only about a 20% difference
• Results published in The Astronomical Journal