A Photometric Method to Search for Be Stars in Open Clusters

Abstract

We describe a technique to identify Be stars in open clusters using Strömgren b, y, and narrowband Hα photometry. We first identify the B-type stars of the cluster using a theoretical isochrone fit to the (b-y, y) color-magnitude diagram. The strongest Be stars are easily identified in a (b-y, y-Hα) color-color diagram, but those with weaker Hα emission (classified as possible Be star detections) may be confused with evolved or foreground stars. Here we present such photometry plus Hα spectroscopy of members of the cluster NGC 3766 to demonstrate the accuracy of our technique. Statistical results on the relative numbers of Be and B-type stars in additional clusters will be presented in a future paper.