The MEGA Project

Microlensing Exploration of the Galaxy and Andromeda

The US/NL MEGA collaboration is carying out a microlensing survey towards the Andromeda galaxy (M31), in an attempt to assess the amount of MACHO dark matter in the dark halo of M31. Observations are carried out on a number of telescopes, including the 2.2m Isaac Newton Telescope (INT), the 1.3m McGraw-Hill telescope, the 2.4m Hiltner telescope and the KPNO 4m telescope.
To detect and monitor unresolved variable objects in M31, we use a method called Difference Image Photometry (Tomaney & Crotts, 1996, AJ, 112,2872).

INT observing during 2002B

During the 2002B semester MEGA is continuing it's microlensing survey towards M31 at the Isaac Newton Telescope. Our time allocation consists of 1 hour on each NL, WFC S/D and WFC survey night. This means that our observations will have to be done by the observers for the programs that these nights were awarded to.

Instructions on how to do these observations and some background information can be found here.

Links

• Instructions for observers on the WFC on the INT during semester 2002B
• Difference Image Photometry example
• Information for MEGAers