Complete Catalog of M31 Microlensing Events from MEGA Columbia University MEGA (Microlensing Exploration of the Galaxy and Andromeda) has compiled a catalog of candidate microlensing events from four telescopes (INT 2.5-meter, KPNO 4-meter, MDM 2.4 and 1.3-meter). The increment of new candidates over the INT-only sample is small. Furthermore, an HST imaging examination of the source stars in five of these candidates indicates that as many as two of them are background supernovae (although the other three are consistent with bona fide events). We are engaging in a similar HST investigation of the entire candidate sample, particularly those at large galactocentric distance. If the current rate of verification persists, this will correspond to a small halo lensing optical depth. We will conduct survey efficiency simulations to quantify this statement.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.