# # Program information file # PROGRAM_ID 2021A096 PROGRAM_TITLE An Infrared census of R Coronae Borealis stars PROGRAM_INV1 Viraj Karambelkar PROGRAM_INV2 Kishalay De PROGRAM_INV3 Matthew Hankins PROGRAM_INV4 Mansi Kasliwal PROGRAM_INV5 Kaew Tinyanont PROGRAM_SCICAT stellar PROGRAM_ABSTRACT_BEG We are carrying out an infrared [IR] census of Galactic R Coronae Borealis [RCB] stars. RCB stars are hydrogen-deficient variable stars that are characterized by sharp, deep declines in their brightness. An IR search is ideal to detect these stars as they are located in regions of high dust extinction in the Milky Way. Palomar Gattini IR [PGIR] is a J-band time domain survey at Palomar Observatory. Using lightcurves from PGIR, we have identified 149 promising RCB candidates. Here, we request IRTF/Spex time for spectroscopic confirmation of these candidates. Near-infrared [NIR] spectra of RCB stars provide useful diagnostics about their formation channels. The combined PGIR and Spex campaign is well suited to conduct a comprehensive survey of RCB stars in the Milky Way and uncover the physics behind the formation of these enigmatic objects. PROGRAM_ABSTRACT_END