For this module we observed the star cluster Messier 44 aka the beehive cluster. This was done using the H-SC telescope and filters B,V,R, and I. The B,V, and R filters were used to best match the wavelength response of the human eye, while I filter provided a redder wavelength to better model the cluster’s age and metallicity. Once checking on our images we processed them using afterglow. The processing began with aligning and stacking our images. From there we used afterglows photometry tools. Using catalog we calibrated the zero point offset of each image in the stack. Once the zero points were identified we plugged them in to calibrate the colors that corresponded with each filter.
The second step of our lab was data analysis. Using clustermancer we uploaded the photometry data from afterglow. Doing so clustermancer placed all of the stars identified in our cluster on to a graph. On the x axis of the graph was the objects magnitude in a in a bluer filter for shorter wavelengths and its magnitude in a redder filter for longer wavelengths. On the y axis we was the objects brightness. From there we began to match the an Isochrone model to our data. This was done by adjusting the age and metallically sliders til the line oun our graph match the data of our stars. Ultimately we landed on log(age) = 8.75log(yr) and Metallicity: 0 solar.