New orbits of wide visual double stars

Based on photographic and CCD observations with the Pulkovo 26-inch refractor, radial velocity measurements with the 1.5-m RTT-150 telescope (TUBITAK National Observatory, Turkey), and highly accurate observations published in the WDS catalog, we have obtained the orbits of ten wide visual double stars by the apparent motion parameter method. The orientation of the orbits in the Galactic coordinate system has been determined. For the outer pair of the multiple star HIP 12780 we have calculated a family of orbits with a minimum period P = 4634 yr. Two equivalent solutions with the same period have been obtained for the stars HIP 50 (P = 949 yr) and HIP 66195 (P = 3237 yr). We have unambiguously determined the orbits of six stars: HIP 12777 (P = 3327 yr), HIP 15058 (P = 420 yr), HIP 33287 (P = 1090 yr), HIP 48429 (P = 1066 yr), HIP 69751 (P = 957 yr), and HIP 73846 (P = 1348 yr). The orbit of HIP 55068 is orientated perpendicularly to the plane of the sky, P >1000 yr. The star HIP 48429 is suspected to have an invisible companion.     

Ultra-flat galaxies selected from RFGC catalog. III. Star formation rate

We examine the star formation properties of galaxies with very thin disks selected from the Revised FlatGalaxy Catalog (RFGC). The sample contains 333 ultra-flat galaxies (UFG) at high Galactic latitudes, |b| > 10?, with a blue major angular diameter of a ≥ 1.'2, blue and red apparent axial ratios of (a/b)_b > 10, (a/b)_r > 8.5 and radial velocities within 10 000 kms^?1. As a control sample for them we use a population of 722 more thick RFGC galaxies with (a/b)_b > 7, situated in the same volume. The UFG distribution over the sky indicates them as a population of quite isolated galaxies.We found that the specific star formation rate, sSFR _FUV, determined via the FUV GALEX flux, increases steadily from the early type to late type disks for both the UFG and RFGC–UFG samples, showing no significant mutual difference within each morphological type T. The population of UFG disks has the average HI-mass-to-stellarmass ratio by (0.25 ± 0.03) dex higher than that of RFGC–UFG galaxies. Being compared with arbitrary orientated disks of the same type, the ultra-flat edge-on galaxies reveal that their total HI mass is hidden by self-absorption on the average by approximately 0.20 dex.We demonstrate that using the robust stellar mass estimate via 〈B?K〉-color and galaxy type T for the thin disks, together with a nowaday accounting for internal extinction, yields their sSFR quantities definitely lying below the limit of ?9.4 dex (yr^?1). The collected observational data on UFG disks imply that their average star formation rate in the past has been approximately three times the current SFR. The UFG galaxies have also sufficient amount of gas to support their observed SFR over the following nearly 9 Gyrs.     

Stars with Discrepant <Emphasis Type="Italic">v</Emphasis> sin <Emphasis Type="Italic">i</Emphasis> as Derived from the Ca II 3933 and Mg II 4481 Å Lines. VII. HD9531 (SB), HD31592 (SB2), HD129174 (SB?)

In this paper of the series we analyze three stars listed among stars with discrepant v sin i: HD9531 and HD31592, which also show radial velocity variations inherent to spectroscopic binaries, and HD129174 which is an Mn-type star with a possible magnetic field. In HD9531 we confirm the radial velocity derived fromthe hydrogen lines as well as fromthe Ca II line at 3933 Å as variable. The profile of the calcium line also appears variable, and with the estimated magnetic induction B_e = ?630 ± 1340 G, this suggests that the abundance of calcium possibly varies over the surface of the star. We identified the lines of the secondary component in the spectrum of HD31592 revealing thus it is an SB2 binary with B9.5V and A0V components. While the primary star rotates with v sin i = 50 km s^?1, the secondary star is faster with v sin i = 170 km s^?1. We find that only 60% of the Mn lines identified in the spectrum of HD129174 can be fitted with a unique abundance value, whereas the remaining lines are stronger or fainter. We also identified two Xe II lines at 5339.33 Å and 5419.15 Å and estimated their log g f.     

Spectroscopic study of the optical counterpart to the fast X-ray transient IGR J17544-2619 based on observations at the 1.5-m RTT-150 telescope

We present the results of our long-term photometric and spectroscopic observations at the Russian–Turkish RTT-150 telescope for the optical counterpart to one of the best-known sources, representatives of the class of fast X-ray transients, IGR J17544-2619. Based on our optical data, we have determined for the first time the orbital and physical parameters of the binary system by the methods of Doppler spectroscopy.We have calculated theoretical spectra of the optical counterpart by applying non- LTE corrections for selected lines and obtained the parameters of the stellar atmosphere (T _eff = 33 000 K, log g = 3.85, R = 9.5 R _⊙, and M = 23 M _⊙). The latter suggest that the optical star is not a supergiant as has been thought previously.     

Stars with discrepant <Emphasis Type="Italic">v</Emphasis> sin <Emphasis Type="Italic">i</Emphasis> as derived from the Ca II 3933 and Mg II 4481 Å lines. VI. HD 199892 — an SB2 spectroscopic binary

We analyzed the spectra of a well known SB1 binary HD199892 for which the projected rotational velocity v sin i, introduced in the literature, significantly differs when determined from the lines of Ca II at 3933 Å and ofMg II at 4481 Å. Contrary to the former findings, we discovered the signs of spectral lines of a companion star in the profile of Hβ as well as weak metallic lines in the high resolution high S/N spectra covering the most of the visual region. We estimated the secondary star to be a main sequence A4V star with a mass of 2.2M _⊙ and derived its radial velocity which resulted in the mass of the primary M = 4.6M _⊙. Short sections of the spectra in the Mg II 4481 Å and Ca II 3933 Å regions are analyzed as well.     

Multicolor Photometry and Spectroscopy of the Yellow Supergiant with Dust Envelope HD 179821 = V1427 Aquilae

We present the results of multicolor (UBV JHKLM) photometry (2009–2017) and low-resolution spectroscopy (2016–2017) of the semi-regular variable V1427 Aql = HD 179821, a yellow supergiant with gas-dust envelope. The star displays low-amplitude (ΔV<0 _. ^m 2) semi-periodic brightness variations superimposed on a long-term trend. The light curve shape and timescale change from cycle to cycle. There are temperature variations characteristic for pulsations; brightness oscillations with no significant change of color are also observed. The UBV data for the 2009–2011 interval are well reproduced by a superposition of two periodic components with P = 170^d and 141^d (or P = 217^d—the one year alias of P = 141^d). The variation became less regular after 2011, the timescale increased and exceeded 250^d. Unusual photometric behavior was seen in 2015 when the star brightness increased by 0 _. ^m 25 in the V filter in 130 days and reached the maximum value ever observed in the course of our monitoring since 1990. In 2009–2016 the annual average brightness monotonically increased in V, J, K, whereas it decreased in U and B. The annual average U ? B, B ? V, and J ? K colors grew, the star was getting redder. The cooling and expanding of the star photosphere along with the increasing of luminosity may explain the long-term trend in brightness and colors. Based on our photometric data we suppose that the photosphere temperature decreased by ~400 K in the 2008–2016 interval, the radius increased by ~24%, and the luminosity grew by ~19%. We review the change of annual average photometric data for almost 30 years of observations. Low-resolution spectra in the λ4000?9000 Å wavelength range obtained in 2016–2017 indicate significant changes in the spectrum of V1427 Aql as compared with the 1994–2008 interval, i.e., the Ba II and near-infraredCa II triplet absorptions have gotten stronger while the OI λ7771-4 triplet blend has weakened that points out the decrease of temperature in the region where the absorptions are formed. The evolutionary stage of the star is discussed. We also compare V1427 Aql with post-AGB stars and yellow hypergiants.     

Applicability of Broad-Band Photometry for Determining the Properties of Stars and Interstellar Extinction

The feasibility of the determination of the physical conditions in star’s atmosphere and the parameters of interstellar extinction from broad-band photometric observations in the 300–3000 nm wavelength interval is studied using SDSS and 2MASS data. The photometric accuracy of these surveys is shown to be insufficient for achieving in practice the theoretical possibility of estimating the atmospheric parameters of stars based on ugriz and JHK_s photometry exclusively because such determinations result in correlations between the temperature and extinction estimates. The uncertainty of interstellar extinction estimates can be reduced if prior data about the temperature are available. The surveys considered can nevertheless be potentially valuable sources of information about both stellar atmospheric parameters and the interstellar medium.     

High Resolution Optical Spectroscopy of an Intriguing High-Latitude B-Type Star HD119608

We present an LTE analysis of high resolution echelle optical spectra obtained with the 3.9-m Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) and the UCLES spectrograph for a B1Ib high galactic latitude supergiant HD119608. A fresh determination of the atmospheric parameters using line-blanketed LTE model atmospheres and spectral synthesis provided T_eff = 23 300 ± 1000 K, log g = 3.0 ± 0.3, and the microturbulent velocity ξ = 6.0 ± 1.0 kms^?1 and [Fe/H] = 0.16. The rotational velocity of the star was derived fromC, O, N, Al, and Fe lines as v sin i = 55.8 ± 1.3 kms^?1. Elemental abundances were obtained for 10 different species. He, Al, and P abundances of the star were determined for the first time. In the spectra, hot post-AGB status as well as the Pop I characteristics of the star were examined. The approximately solar carbon and oxygen abundances, along with mild excess in helium and nitrogen abundances do not stipulate a CNO processed surface composition, hence a hot post-AGB status. The LTE abundances analysis also indicates solar sulphur and moderately enriched magnesium abundances. The average abundances of B dwarfs of well studied OB associations and Population I stars show a striking resemblance to abundances obtained for HD119608 in this study. This may imply a runaway status for the star.     

Change in the orbital period of a binary system due to dynamical tides for main-sequence stars

We investigate the change in the orbital period of a binary system due to dynamical tides by taking into account the evolution of a main-sequence star. Three stars with masses of one, one and a half, and two solar masses are considered. A star of one solar mass at lifetimes t = 4.57 × 10⁹ yr closely corresponds to our Sun. We show that a planet of one Jupiter mass revolving around a star of one solar mass will fall onto the star in the main-sequence lifetime of the star due to dynamical tides if the initial orbital period of the planet is less than P _orb ≈ 2.8 days. Planets of one Jupiter mass with an orbital period P _orb ≈ 2 days or shorter will fall onto a star of one and a half and two solar masses in the mainsequence lifetime of the star.     

Perspectives of observing the color indices of optical afterglows of gamma-ray bursts with ESA <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gaia</Emphasis>

We propose a strategy for detecting and analyzing optical afterglows (OAs) of long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) without the need to obtain their light curves. This approach is useful for the Gaia satellite, which provides sampled optical ultra-low-dispersion spectroscopic observations of the sky. For this purpose, we show that most OAs of long GRBs display specific values of some of their color indices, representing synchrotron emission of the jet. They are stable in time during the event. These indices, which can be determined from the spectra, are very similar for the ensemble of OAs with redshift z < 3.5 and display a strong clustering in some color-color diagrams. These indices also enable to constrain the properties of the local interstellar medium of GRBs. The long-lasting mapping of the sky with the Gaia instruments also gives us a hope to search for the so-called orphan afterglows, which, according to some authors, can be considerably more numerous than OAs of the observed GRBs. We also show how to resolve OAs from other transients in the Gaia data. The color indices and the properties of the quiescent sources (host galaxies of OAs detectable later by the large ground-based telescopes at the co-ordinates of the OA determined by Gaia) would tell us which one, among transients detected by Gaia, is a GRB OA.     

Evolution of Intergalactic Gas in the Neighborhood of Dwarf Galaxies and Its Manifestations in the HI 21 cm Line

Low-mass galaxies are known to have played the crucial role in the hydrogen reionization in the Universe. In this paper we investigate the contribution of soft x-ray radiation (E ~ 0.1–1 keV) from dwarf galaxies to hydrogen ionization during the initial reionization stages. The only possible sources of this radiation in the process of star formation in dwarf galaxies during the epochs preceding the hydrogen reionization epoch are hot intermediate-mass stars (M ~ 5–8 M_⊙) that entered the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stage and massive x-ray binaries. We analyze the evolution of the intergalactic gas in the neighborhood of a dwarf galaxy with a total mass of 6 × 10⁸M_⊙ formed at the redshift of z ~ 15 and having constant star-formation rate of 0.01–0.1 M_⊙ yr^?1 over a starburst with a duration of up to 100 Myr. We show that the radiation from AGB stars heats intergalactic gas to above 100 K and ensures its ionization x_e ? 0.03 within about 4–10 kpc from the galaxy in the case of a star-formation rate of star formation 0.03–0.1 M_⊙ yr^?1, and that after the end of the starburst this region remains quasi-stationary over the following 200–300 Myr, i.e., until z ~ 7.5. Formation of x-ray binaries form in dwarf galaxies at z ~ 15 results in a 2–3 and 5–6 times greater size of the ionized and heated region compared to the case where ionization is produced by AGB stars exclusively, if computed with the “x-ray luminosity–star-formation rate” dependence (L_X ~ f_XSFR) factor f_X = 0.1 and f_X ~ 1, respectively. For f_X ? 0.03 the effect of x-ray binaries is smaller that that of AGB star population. Lyα emission, heating, and ionization of the intergalactic gas in the neighborhood of dwarf galaxies result in the excitation of the 21 cm HI line. We found that during the period of the starburst end at z ~11.5–12.5 the brightness temperature in the neighborhood of galaxies is 15–25 mK and the region where the brightness temperature remains close to its maximum has a size of about 12–30 kpc. Hence the epoch of the starburst end is most favorable for 21 cm HI line observations of dwarf galaxies, because at that time the size of the region of maximum brightness temperature is the greatest over the entire evolution of the dwarf galaxy. In the case of the sizes corresponding to almost 0.’1 for z ~ 12 regions with maximum emission can be detected with the Square Kilometre Array, which is currently under construction.     

Wide-field optical monitoring with Mini-MegaTORTORA (MMT-9) multichannel high temporal resolution telescope

We describe the properties of Mini-MegaTORTORA (MMT-9) nine-channel wide-field optical sky monitoring system with subsecond temporal resolution. This instrument can observe sky areas as large as 900 deg², perform photometry in three filters close to Johnson BV R system and polarimetry of selected objects or areas with 100–300 deg2 sizes. The limiting magnitude of the system is up to V = 11m for 0.1 s temporal resolution, and reaches V = 15^m in minute-long exposures. The system is equipped with a powerful computing facility and dedicated software pipeline allowing it to perform automatic detection, real-time classification, and investigation of transient events of different nature located both in the near- Earth space and at extragalactic distances. The objects routinely detected by MMT-9 include faint meteors and artificial Earth satellites.We discuss astronomical tasks that can be solved using MMT-9, and present the results of the first two years of its operation. In particular, we report the parameters of the optical flare detected on June 25, 2016, which accompanied the gamma-ray burst GRB160625B.     

IR photometry results and dust envelope model for symbiotic Mira star candidate V 335 Vul

We present the results of JHKLM-photometry for the symbiotic Mira star candidate V 335 Vul. Based on the average flux data, supplemented by IRAS, MSX, AKARI, and WISE mid-IR observations, we calculated a model of a spherically symmetric dust envelope of the star, made up of amorphous carbon and silicon carbide particles. The optical depth of the envelope in the visible range with a dust temperature at the inner boundary of T₁ = 1300 K is τ _V = 0.58. For an envelope expansion velocity of 26.5 km s^?1, the estimated mass loss rate is equal to 5.7 × 10^?7M_⊙ yr^?1.     

Minimum Spanning Tree cluster analysis of the LMC region above 10 GeV: detection of the SNRs N 49B and N 63A

We present the results of a cluster search in the \(\gamma \)-ray sky images of the Large Magellanic Cloud region by means of the Minimum Spanning Tree algorithm at energies higher than 10 GeV, using 9 years of Fermi-LAT data. Several significant clusters were found, the majority of which associated with previously known \(\gamma \)-ray sources. New significant clusters associated with the supernova remnants N 49B and N 63A are also found, and confirmed with a Maximum Likelihood analysis of the Fermi-LAT data.     

Magnetic field of CP stars in the Ori OB1 association. II. HD36540, HD36668, HD36916, HD37058

We present the results of magnetic field measurements of four chemically peculiar (CP) stars with helium abundance anomalies which are the members of the Orion stellar association OB1. The stars under study were classified as magnetic by other authors earlier. The present paper contains the results of the extensive study of the stars. Magnetic field measurements allowed us to conclude that HD36540 has a weak field and the longitudinal component B _e does not exceed 500 G. The longitudinal field of HD36668 varies with the period P = 2_. ^d 11884 and the amplitude from ?2 to +2 kG. The magnetic field of HD36916 has mainly negative polarity and varies within the range from 0 to ?1 kG with the period P = 1.d 565238. HD37058 is a magnetic star, the longitudinal field of which varies from ?1.2 to +0.8 kG with the period P = 14_. ^d 659. The B _e field variability pattern for the stars HD36916 and HD37058 is of a simple harmonic type. The longitudinal field of HD36668 is best described with two combined harmonic functions (“a doublewave”). The variability period of HD36540 is still undetermined. For all the stars from this paper, we measured radial velocities V _r, axial rotation rates v _e sin i, and determined basic parameters of atmospheres (effective temperatures T _eff and gravity acceleration log g). We also estimated masses M, luminosities L, and radii R of the stars.     

Nearby groups of galaxies in the Hercules–Bootes constellations

We consider a sample of 412 galaxies with radial velocities V _LG < 2500 kms^?1 situated in the sky region of RA = 13_. ^m 0–19_. ^m 0, Dec = +10?...+40? between the Local Void and the Supergalactic plane. One hundred and eighty-one of them have individual distance estimates. Peculiar velocities of the galaxies as a function of Supergalactic latitude SGB show signs of Virgocentric infall at SGB < 10? and motion from the Local Void at SGB > 60?. A half of the Hercules–Bootes galaxies belong to 17 groups and 29 pairs, with the richest group around NGC5353. A typical group is characterized by the velocity dispersion of 67 km s^?1, the harmonic radius of 182 kpc, the stellar mass of 4.3 × 10¹⁰ M _⊙ and the virialto- stellar mass ratio of 32. The binary galaxies have the mean radial velocity difference of 37 kms^?1, the projected separation of 96 kpc, the mean integral stellar mass of 2.6×109M _⊙ and the mean virial-to-stellar mass ratio of about 8. The total dark-matter-to-stellar mass ratio in the considered sky region amounts to 37 being almost the same as that in the Local Volume.     

Measuring the Probabilistic Photometric Redshifts of X-ray Quasars Based on the Quantile Regression of Ensembles of Decision Trees

We present empirical machine learning algorithms for measuring the probabilistic photometric redshifts (photo-z) of X-ray quasars based on the quantile regression of ensembles of decision trees. Relying on the data of present-day photometric sky surveys (e.g., SDSS, GALEX, WISE, UKIDSS, 2MASS, FIRST), the proposed methods allow one to make high-quality photo-z point predictions for extragalactic objects, to estimate the confidence intervals, and to reconstruct the full probability distribution functions for all predictions. The quality of photo-z predictions has been tested on samples of X-ray quasars from the 1RASS and 3XMM DR7 surveys, which have spectroscopic redshift measurements in the SDSS DR14Q catalog. The proposed approaches have shown the following accuracy (the metrics are the normalized median absolute deviation σNMAD and the percentage of outliers n_>0.15): σ_NMAD, n_>0.15 = 0.043, 12% (SDSS + WISE), 0.037, 8% (SDSS + WISE + GALEX) and 0.032, 8.6% (SDSS + WISE + GALEX + UKIDSS) on the RASS sample; σ_NMAD, n_>0.15 = 0.054, 13% (SDSS + WISE), 0.045, 7.6% (SDSS + WISE + GALEX), and 0.037, 6.6% (SDSS + WISE + GALEX + UKIDSS) on the 3XMM sample. The presented photo-z algorithms will become an important tool for analyzing the multi-wavelength data on X-ray quasars in the forthcoming Spectrum–Roentgen–Gamma sky survey.     

Searching for stars closely encountering with the solar system based on data from the Gaia DR1 and RAVE5 catalogues

We have searched for the stars that either encountered in the past or will encounter in the future with the Solar system closer than 2 pc. For this purpose, we took more than 216 000 stars with the measured proper motions and trigonometric parallaxes from the Gaia DR1 catalogue and their radial velocities from the RAVE5 catalogue. We have found several stars for which encounters closer than 1 pc are possible. The star GJ 710, for which the minimum distance is d _m = 0.063 ± 0.044 pc at time t _m = 1385 ± 52 thousand years, is the record-holder among them. Two more stars, TYC 8088-631-1 and TYC 6528-980-1, whose encounter parameters, however, are estimated with large errors, are of interest.     

Astrometric Study of Two Multiple Stars: ADS 2668 and ADS 8236

Based on CCD observations with the Pulkovo 26-inch refractor in 2003–2018, we have obtained the orbit of the visual double star ADS 2668 AB (P = 947 yr, a = 2.9″, e = 0.41, ω = 246°, Ω = 131°, i = 114°, T = 1456 yr) for the first time by the apparent motion parameter (AMP) method, which is consistent with the inner orbit of ADS 2668 Aa-Ab, and improved the orbit of ADS 8236 AB (P = 1996 yr, a = 4.69″, e = 0.39, ω = 201°, Ω = 166°, i = 110°, T = 1246 yr). The inner orbit of the photocenter of ADS 8236 with a period of 4.627 yr has been calculated from the residuals. This orbit of ADS 8236 Ba–Bb supplements the spectroscopic orbit by the elements specifying the orbital plane (i and Ω). In both cases, the planes of the inner and outer orbits are noncoplanar. The presence of an additional companion in the system ADS 2668 is discussed.     

Quiescent and Active States of V1413 Aql I: Photometric Activity Criterion and the Detection of a Secondary Minimum

We present the results of our photometric UBV JHKL observations for the symbiotic star V1413 Aql obtained in 2012–2018. An analysis of the data has shown that inMay 2017 the system passed to a quiescent state with B ? V ≈ 0_? 6 for the first time since 1993. It lasted no more than five months. The J ? K color at the primary minimum of 2012 reached 1_? 5, which, given the interstellar reddening, corresponds to spectral type M5-M6 III of the cool component. A secondary minimum has been detected at φ ≈ 0.5 on the JK phase light curves constructed for the dates of observations with B ≥ 13.