Mid-infrared observations of methanol maser sites and ultracompact H ii regions: signposts of high-mass star formation

N -band (10.5 μm) and/or Q -band (20.0 μm) images taken with MANIAC on the ESO/MPI 2.2-m telescope are presented for 31 methanol maser sites and 19 ultracompact (UC) H  ii regions. Most of the maser sites and UC H  ii regions are coincident with mid-infrared (MIR) sources to within the positional uncertainties of ∼ 3 arcsec, consistent with the maser emission being powered by the MIR source. The IRAS source positions, however, do not always coincide with the MIR sources.
Based on an average infrared spectral energy distribution, we deduce that the MIR objects are luminous enough that they should also produce a strong ionizing radiation. Some sources are consistent with stars of later spectral type, but not all can be. A number of maser sites show no detectable radio continuum emission associated with MIR emission, despite a powering source luminous enough potentially to produce an UC H  ii region. Since no signs of an UC H  ii region are detected here, these maser sites might be produced during a very early stage of stellar evolution.
We present objects that show evidence of outflow activity stemming from a maser site, exhibiting CO and/or CS line profiles indicative of outflows coincident with the MIR source. These cases are promising examples of maser sites signposting the earliest stages of high-mass star formation.     

Massive young stellar objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud: water masers and ESO-VLT 3–4 μm spectroscopy

We investigate the conditions of star formation in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). We have conducted a survey for water maser emission arising from massive young stellar objects in the 30 Doradus region (N 157) and several other H  ii regions in the LMC (N 105A, N 113 and N 160A). We have identified a new maser source in 30 Dor at the systemic velocity of the LMC. We have obtained 3–4 μm spectra, with the European Southern Observatory (ESO)-Very Large Telescope (VLT), of two candidate young stellar objects. N 105A IRS1 shows H recombination line emission, and its Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) and mid-infrared colours are consistent with a massive young star ionizing the molecular cloud. N 157B IRS1 is identified as an embedded young object, based on its SED and a tentative detection of water ice. The data on these four H  ii regions are combined with mid-infrared archival images from the Spitzer Space Telescope to study the location and nature of the embedded massive young stellar objects and signatures of stellar feedback. Our analysis of 30 Dor, N 113 and N 160A confirms the picture that the feedback from the massive O- and B-type stars, which creates the H  ii regions, also triggers further star formation on the interfaces of the ionized gas and the surrounding molecular cloud. Although in the dense cloud N 105A star formation seems to occur without evidence of massive star feedback, the general conditions in the LMC seem favourable for sequential star formation as a result of feedback. In an Appendix , we present water maser observations of the galactic red giants R Doradus and W Hydrae.     

Studies of ultracompact H II regions – III. Near-infrared survey of selected regions

A survey towards a selection of 35 methanol maser and/or ultracompact (UC) H  ii regions, reported in Papers I and II and by Norris et al., has been conducted in the near-infrared (NIR). Out of 25 methanol maser sites surveyed, 12 are associated with a NIR counterpart. Out of 18 UC H  ii regions (8 of which overlap with maser emission), 12 are associated with a NIR counterpart. Counterparts can be confidently identified not only by the positional agreements, but also by their unusually red colours. Spectral types for the embedded stars can be unambiguously determined for six sources, all of which imply massive, ionizing stars. One of these infrared sources has methanol maser emission, but no UC H  ii region. It is possible that the maser emission associated with this source arises from a pre-UC H  ii phase of massive stellar evolution or it could be that nearly all the ultraviolet photons are absorbed by dust within the UC H  ii region. We have modelled the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) for some sources and find that a single blackbody can be used to estimate the stellar luminosity, but cannot represent the whole infrared SED. A two-component blackbody model and a radiative transfer model were also used to derive essential parameters of the infrared sources. The radiative transfer model also indicates which infrared sources are relatively young and which are older. Both models show that silicate absorption at 9.7 μm must be a dominant feature of these SEDs.     

Predictions of the extent of self-enrichment in oxygen of giant metal-poor H ii regions

In general, H  ii regions do not show clear signs of self-enrichment in products from massive stars  ( M ≥ 8 M_⊙)  . In order to explore why I modelled the contamination with Wolf–Rayet star ejecta of metal-poor  ( Z = 0.001)  H  ii regions, ionized either by a  10⁶ M_⊙  cluster of coeval stars (cluster 1) or by a cluster resulting from continuous star formation at a rate of  1 M_⊙ yr⁻¹  (cluster 2). The clusters have   Z = 0.001  and a Salpeter initial mass function from 0.1 to  120 M_⊙  . Independent one-dimensional constant density simulations of the emission-line spectra of unenriched H  ii regions were computed at the discrete ages 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Myr, with the photoionization code cloudy , using as input, radiative and mechanical stellar feedbacks predicted by the evolutionary synthesis code starburst99 . Each H  ii region was placed at the outer radius of the adiabatically expanding superbubble of Mac Low & McCray. For models with thermal and ionization balance time-scales of less than 1 Myr, and with oxygen emission-line ratios in agreement with observations, the volume of the superbubble and the H  ii region was uniformly and instantaneously polluted with stellar ejecta predicted by starburst99 . I obtained a maximum oxygen abundance enhancement of 0.025 dex, with cluster 1, at 4 Myr. It would be unobservable.     

Ruprecht 55: an OB association at the edge of our Galaxy

We present new spectroscopy in the optical range and 21-cm H  i data covering the Ruprecht 55 (Ru 55) field in the Puppis window where several authors have proposed the existence of one (or two) clusters.
We have determined new MK spectral types for about 50 stars in the region, finding 43 OB-type stars among them. LS 985 was found to be an O9 V + O9.5 III binary and it is the earliest type of star in our observed sample.
We have identified a stellar OB association (Ru 55), which is most likely related to a depletion detected in our H  i data, as: (i) they are located at the same distance (6 kpc), within observational errors; (ii) both have similar radial velocities (∼67 km s⁻¹); (iii) current OB stars could have provided the energy needed to blow the cavity; (iv) the dynamical time-scale for the hole buildup matches the age estimated for the earliest OB stars; and (v) LS 985 might be responsible for ionizing the H  i cavity inner walls close to it.     

Population synthesis of H ii galaxies

We study the stellar population of galaxies with active star formation, determining ages of the stellar components by means of spectral population synthesis of their absorption spectra. The data consist of optical spectra of 185 nearby ( z 0.075) emission-line galaxies . They are mostly H  ii galaxies, but we also include some starbursts and Seyfert 2s, for comparison purposes. They were grouped into 19 high signal-to-noise ratio template spectra, according to their continuum distribution, absorption- and emission-line characteristics. The templates were then synthesized with a star cluster spectral base.
The synthesis results indicate that H  ii galaxies are typically age-composite stellar systems, presenting important contributions from generations up to as old as 500 Myr. We detect a significant contribution of populations with ages older than 1 Gyr in two groups of H  ii galaxies. The age distributions of stellar populations among starbursts can vary considerably despite similarities in the emission-line spectra. In the case of Seyfert 2 groups we obtain important contributions from the old population, consistent with a bulge.
From the diversity of star formation histories, we conclude that typical H  ii galaxies in the local Universe are not systems presently forming their first stellar generation.     

Gas properties of H ii and starburst galaxies: relation with the stellar population

We study the gas emission of galaxies with active star formation, consisting mostly of H  ii and starburst galaxies, as well as some Seyfert 2 galaxies, and determine chemical and physical parameters. The data consist of 19 high signal-to-noise ratio optical templates, a result of grouping 185 emission-line galaxy spectra. Underlying stellar population models (from Raimann et al.) were subtracted from the templates in order to isolate the pure emission component.
We analyse the distribution of these improved signal-to-noise ratio emission spectra in diagnostic diagrams and find that the H  ii templates show a smaller spread in log([O  iii ]/H β ) values than the individual galaxies, apparently as a result of the population subtraction and a better signal-to-noise ratio. We thus suggest the template sequence as a fiducial observational locus for H  ii galaxies which can be used as reference for models. The sequence of line ratios presented by the H  ii galaxies in the diagram log([O  iii ] λ 5007/H β ) versus log([N  ii ] λ 6584/H α ) is primarily owing to the gas metallicity, of which the log([N  ii ]/H α ) ratio is a direct estimator. We also study the properties of the starburst galaxies and those intermediate between H  ii and starburst galaxies, which are more metal rich and sit on more massive galaxies.
We discuss the present results in the frame of a recently proposed equivalent-width diagnostic diagram for emission-line galaxies (by Rola et al.) and conclude that the observed ranges in W ([O  ii ])/ W (H β ) and W (H β ) are mostly owing to the non-ionizing stellar population contribution. We propose that W (H β ) be used as an estimator of this contribution to the continuum, and briefly discuss implications to the cosmological use of H  ii galaxies.     

New insights into the stellar content and physical conditions of star-forming galaxies at z= 2–3 from spectral modelling

We have used extensive libraries of model and empirical galaxy spectra [assembled, respectively, from the population synthesis code of Bruzual and Charlot and the fourth data release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS)] to interpret some puzzling features seen in the spectra of high-redshift star-forming galaxies. We show that a stellar He  ii  λ1640 emission line, produced in the expanding atmospheres of Of and Wolf–Rayet stars, should be detectable with an equivalent width of 0.5–1.5 Å in the integrated spectra of star-forming galaxies, provided the metallicity is greater than about half solar. Our models reproduce the strength of the He  ii  λ1640 line measured in the spectra of Lyman-break galaxies for established values of their metallicities. With better empirical calibrations in local galaxies, this spectral feature has the potential of becoming a useful diagnostic of massive star winds at high, as well as low redshifts.
We also uncover a relationship in SDSS galaxies between their location in the [O  iii ]/Hβ versus [N  ii ]/Hα diagnostic diagram (the BPT diagram) and their excess specific star formation rate relative to galaxies of similar mass. We infer that an elevated ionization parameter U is at the root of this effect, and propose that this is also the cause of the offset of high-redshift star-forming galaxies in the BPT diagram compared to local ones. We further speculate that higher electron densities and escape fractions of hydrogen ionizing photons may be the factors responsible for the systematically higher values of U in the H  ii regions of high-redshift galaxies. The impact of such differences on abundance determinations from strong nebular lines are considered and found to be relatively minor.     

Infrared spectroscopy of cataclysmic variables – III. Dwarf novae below the period gap and nova-like variables

We present K -band spectra of the short-period dwarf novae YZ Cnc, LY Hya, BK Lyn, T Leo, SW UMa and WZ Sge, the nova-like variables DW UMa, V1315 Aql, RW Tri, VY Scl, UU Aqr and GP Com, and a series of field dwarf stars with spectral types ranging from K2 to M6.
The spectra of the dwarf novae are dominated by emission lines of H  i and He  i . The large velocity and equivalent widths of these lines, in conjunction with the fact that the lines are double-peaked in the highest inclination systems, indicate an accretion disc origin. In the case of YZ Cnc and T Leo, for which we obtained time-resolved data covering a complete orbital cycle, the emission lines show modulations in their equivalent widths that are most probably associated with the bright spot (the region where the gas stream collides with the accretion disc). There are no clear detections of the secondary star in any of the dwarf novae below the period gap, yielding upper limits of 10–30 per cent for the contribution of the secondary star to the observed K -band flux. In conjunction with the K -band magnitudes of the dwarf novae, we use the derived secondary star contributions to calculate lower limits to the distances to these systems.
The spectra of the nova-like variables are dominated by broad, single-peaked emission lines of H  i and He  i – even the eclipsing systems we observed do not show the double-peaked profiles predicted by standard accretion disc theory. With the exception of RW Tri, which exhibits Na  i , Ca  i and ¹²CO absorption features consistent with a M0V secondary contributing 65 per cent of the observed K -band flux, we find no evidence for the secondary star in any of the nova-like variables. The implications of this result are discussed.     

Nuclear star formation in the hotspot galaxy NGC 2903

We present high-resolution near-infrared imaging obtained using adaptive optics and HST /NICMOS, and ground-based spectroscopy of the hotspot galaxy NGC 2903. Our near-infrared resolution imaging enables us to resolve the infrared hotspots into individual young stellar clusters or groups of these. The spatial distribution of the stellar clusters is not coincident with that of the bright H  ii regions, as revealed by the HST /NICMOS Pa α image. Overall, the circumnuclear star formation in NGC 2903 shows a ring-like morphology with an approximate diameter of 625 pc.
The star formation properties of the stellar clusters and H  ii regions have been studied using the photometric and spectroscopic information in conjunction with evolutionary synthesis models. The population of bright stellar clusters shows a very narrow range of ages, 4–7×10⁶ yr after the peak of star formation, or absolute ages 6.5–9.5×10⁶ yr (for the assumed short-duration Gaussian bursts), and luminosities similar to the clusters found in the Antennae interacting galaxy. This population of young stellar clusters accounts for some 7–12 per cent of the total stellar mass in the central 625 pc of NGC 2903. The H  ii regions in the ring of star formation have luminosities close to that of the supergiant H  ii region 30 Doradus, they are younger than the stellar clusters, and they will probably evolve into bright infrared stellar clusters similar to those observed today. We find that the star formation efficiency in the central regions of NGC 2903 is higher than in normal galaxies, approaching the lower end of infrared luminous galaxies.     

Star formation in the Cepheus Flare region – II. A-type stars associated with IRAS sources

In order to reveal the star-forming history of the molecular cloud complex we studied the intermediate mass stellar population in the Cepheus Flare region. (Paper I dealt with the distance and the young stellar object candidates of the region.) Correlating the IRAS Point Source Catalogue and Faint Source Catalogue positions with those of 1214 B8–A8 and 1760 F0–F5 type stars brighter than     and classified during an objective prism survey, we identified 19 stars showing far-infrared excess emission in the Cepheus Flare region. In addition to the 16 stars whose counterparts are given in the IRAS catalogues, we found three more stars with infrared excess not recognized before. In order to identify the young medium-mass stars associated with the Cepheus Flare molecular clouds we observed the optical spectra of the IR-excess stars, and using published optical photometry and the IRAS data we examined their spectral energy distributions (SEDs) and IRAS two-colour diagram. The observations resulted in the discovery of a new Herbig Ae/Be star, BD +68°1118, coinciding with IRAS 21169+6842. More evolved HAe/Be stars may be SAO 19953, BD +67°1314 and BD +69°1231, whose H α lines showed weak emission components. Possible β Pictoris- or Vega-type stars may be HD 203854, HD 212826 and HD 216486, whereas the far-infrared fluxes at the positions of BD +72°1018, HD 210806 and HD 217903 can be attributed to the heating of the interstellar environment. We used distances and radial velocities of the stars derived from the spectroscopy and published optical photometry as indicators of their relations to the clouds. Information on the environment of the observed stars deduced from the diffuse interstellar band at λ 6613 is briefly discussed.     

Galactic Astronomy in the Ultraviolet

We propose a number of prospective observational programs for the ultraviolet space observatory WSO-UV, which seem to be of great importance to modern galactic astronomy. The programs include the search for binary Cepheids; the search and detailed photometric study and the analysis of radial distribution of UV-bright stars in globular clusters (“blue stragglers”, blue horizontal-branch stars, RR Lyrae variables, white dwarfs, and stars with UV excesses); the investigation of stellar content and kinematics of young open clusters and associations; the study of spectral energy distribution in hot stars, including calculation of the extinction curves in the UV, optical and NIR; and accurate definition of the relations between the UV-colors and effective temperature. The high angular resolution of the observatory allows accurate astrometric measurements of stellar proper motions and their kinematic analysis.     

H i and optical spectroscopy towards the M15 intermediate-velocity cloud

We present single-dish Arecibo 21-cm H  i observations, covering a 0675×0625 RA–Dec. grid, of the intermediate-velocity cloud (IVC) centred upon the M15 globular cluster. The velocity and positional structure of the IVC gas at V _LSR=70 km s⁻¹ are investigated; it is found to be clumpy and has a peak surface density N _{H  i} ∼8×10¹⁹ cm⁻². Additionally, we have performed a long H  i integration towards HD 203664, a Galactic halo star some 31 from M15, in which optical IVC absorption has previously been detected. No H  i with a velocity exceeding 60 km s⁻¹ was found to a brightness temperature limit of 0.05 K. However, additional pointings did detect IVC gas approximately mid-way between HD 203664 and M15. Finally, we present both Arecibo H  i pointings and low-resolution spectra in the Ca  ii H and K lines towards 15 field stars in the general field towards M15, in an attempt to obtain the distance to the IVC. Intermediate-velocity H  i is detected towards seven sightlines. Stellar spectral types are derived for 12 of the sample. Assuming that these stars lie on the main sequence, their distances are estimated to lie in the range 150≤ d ≤1350 pc. No Ca  ii absorption is observed, either because the IVC is further away than ∼1350 pc or more likely because the gas along these sightlines is of too low a density to be detected by the current observations.     

High-precision stellar abundances of the elements: methods and applications

Efficient spectrographs at large telescopes have made it possible to obtain high-resolution spectra of stars with high signal-to-noise ratio and advances in model atmosphere analyses have enabled estimates of high-precision differential abundances of the elements from these spectra, i.e. with errors in the range 0.01–0.03 dex for F, G, and K stars. Methods to determine such high-precision abundances together with precise values of effective temperatures and surface gravities from equivalent widths of spectral lines or by spectrum synthesis techniques are outlined, and effects on abundance determinations from using a 3D non-LTE analysis instead of a classical 1D LTE analysis are considered. The determination of high-precision stellar abundances of the elements has led to the discovery of unexpected phenomena and relations with important bearings on the astrophysics of galaxies, stars, and planets, i.e. (i) Existence of discrete stellar populations within each of the main Galactic components (disk, halo, and bulge) providing new constraints on models for the formation of the Milky Way. (ii) Differences in the relation between abundances and elemental condensation temperature for the Sun and solar twins suggesting dust-cleansing effects in proto-planetary disks and/or engulfment of planets by stars; (iii) Differences in chemical composition between binary star components and between members of open or globular clusters showing that star- and cluster-formation processes are more complicated than previously thought; (iv) Tight relations between some abundance ratios and age for solar-like stars providing new constraints on nucleosynthesis and Galactic chemical evolution models as well as the composition of terrestrial exoplanets. We conclude that if stellar abundances with precisions of 0.01–0.03 dex can be achieved in studies of more distant stars and stars on the giant and supergiant branches, many more interesting future applications, of great relevance to stellar and galaxy evolution, are probable. Hence, in planning abundance surveys, it is important to carefully balance the need for large samples of stars against the spectral resolution and signal-to-noise ratio needed to obtain high-precision abundances. Furthermore, it is an advantage to work differentially on stars with similar atmospheric parameters, because then a simple 1D LTE analysis of stellar spectra may be sufficient. However, when determining high-precision absolute abundances or differential abundance between stars having more widely different parameters, e.g. metal-poor stars compared to the Sun or giants to dwarfs, then 3D non-LTE effects must be taken into account.     

Global velocity field and bubbles in the blue compact dwarf galaxy Mrk 86

We have studied the velocity field of the blue compact dwarf galaxy Mrk 86 (NGC 2537) using data provided by 14 long-slit optical spectra obtained in 10 different orientations and positions. This kinematical information is complemented with narrow-band ([O  iii ]5007 Å and H α ) and broad-band ( B , V , Gunn r and K ) imaging. The analysis of the galaxy global velocity field suggests that the ionized gas could be distributed in a rotating inclined disc, with projected central angular velocity of Ω=34 km s⁻¹ kpc⁻¹. The comparison between the stellar, H  i and modelled dark matter density profile indicates that the total mass within its optical radius is dominated by the stellar component. Peculiarities observed in its velocity field can be explained by irregularities in the ionized gas distribution or local motions induced by star formation.
Kinematical evidences for two expanding bubbles, Mrk 86–B and Mrk 86–C, are given. They show expanding velocities of 34 and 17 km s⁻¹, H α luminosities of 3×10³⁸ and 1.7×10³⁹ erg s⁻¹, and physical radii of 374 and 120 pc, respectively. The change in the [S  ii ]/H α , [N  ii ]/H α , [O  ii ]/[O  iii ] and [O  iii ]/H β line ratios with the distance to the bubble precursor suggests a diminution in the ionization parameter and, in the case of Mrk 86–B, an enhancement of the shock-excited gas emission. The optical–near-infrared colours of the bubble precursors are characteristic of low‐metallicity star‐forming regions (∼0.2 Z_⊙) with burst strengths of about 1 per cent in mass.     

Magnetic field evolution of accreting neutron stars – IV. Effect of the curvature of space–time

We report near-infrared molecular hydrogen and Brackett γ observations towards the massive star formation site G323.74−0.26. The region contains an H  ii region, ∼30 arcsec across, and two Class II methanol maser sites, which are separate from the H  ii region. We show that the spectral type of the star powering the H  ii region is B0. We also show that at least one of the maser sites is powered by an infrared source that appears to be at least as luminous as the star responsible for the H  ii region. However, neither of the two stars associated with the methanol maser sites shows any signs of radio continuum emission above 0.2 mJy. For at least one of these maser sites, this shows a real deficiency in the radio continuum flux, which we suggest is an indication that the star is in an early stage of development, before its H  ii region becomes visible, or it is a multiple intermediate mass star system. A shocked molecular hydrogen outflow is seen extending from one of the maser sites towards the west and possibly in a fan shape, suggesting that the stars associated with the maser sites are indeed at a very early stage of evolution.     

New light on the search for low-metallicity galaxies – I. The N2 calibrator

We present a simple metallicity estimator based on the logarithmic [N  ii ]   λ 6584/H α   ratio, hereafter N2, which we envisage will become very useful for ranking galaxies in a metallicity sequence from redshift survey-quality data even for moderately low spectral resolution.
We have calibrated the N2 estimator using a compilation of H  ii galaxies having accurate oxygen abundances, plus photoionization models covering a wide range of abundances. The comparison of models and observations indicates that both primary and secondary nitrogen are important for the relevant range of metallicities.
The N2 estimator follows a linear relation with log(O/H) that holds for the whole abundance range covered by the sample, from approximately  1/50th  to twice the Solar value  [7.2<12+log(O/H)<9.1]  . We suggest that the ([S  ii ]   λλ 6717,6731/H α )  ratio (hereafter S2) can also be used as a rough metallicity indicator. Because of its large scatter the S2 estimator will be useful only in systems with very low metallicity, where [N  ii ] λ 6584 is not detected or in low-resolution spectra where [N  ii ] λ 6584 is blended with H α .     

First detection of optical light from SNR G279.0+1.1

This is the initial paper in a series presenting the first optical detections and subsequent follow-up spectroscopy of known southern Galactic supernova remnants (SNRs) previously discovered in the radio. These new detections come from the Anglo-Australian Observatory (AAO)/United Kingdom Schmidt Telescope Hα survey of the southern Galactic plane which has opened up fresh opportunities to study Galactic remnants. Here, we present the first optical imaging and follow-up spectra of Galactic SNR G279.0+1.1 where a series of 14 small-scale fragmented groups of Hα filaments have been discovered in a     area centred on G279.0+1.1. Individually they are somewhat inconspicuous but collectively they are completely enclosed within the overall radio contours of this known SNR. Three of these filamentary groupings are particularly prominent and optical spectra have been obtained across two of them. Their morphological structure and spectral characteristics are typical of optically detected SNR filaments. A very strong [S  ii ] emission relative to Hα has been detected with  [S  ii ]/Hα > 0.7  and 1.1, confirming strong, shock-heated emission. This is sufficient to classify these filaments in the likely SNR domain and therefore indicating a direct connection with the radio remnant. Other typical SNR emission lines such as [O  ii ] at 3727 Å, Hβ, [O  iii ] at 4959 and 5007 Å, Hα and [N  ii ] at 6548 and 6584 Å were also detected, lending strong support to an SNR origin of these optical filaments. The value and insights that these optical data can provide for known remnants are discussed along with their relevance to the Galactic nitrogen abundance. A serendipitous discovery of an adjacent H  ii region is also briefly described.     

Optical, infrared and millimetre-wave properties of Vega-like systems – IV. Observations of a new sample of candidate Vega-like sources

Photometric observations at optical and near-infrared wavelengths are presented for members of a new sample of candidate Vega-like systems, or main sequence stars with excess infrared emission due to circumstellar dust. The observations are combined with IRAS fluxes to define the spectral energy distributions of the sources. Most of the sources show only photospheric emission at near-IR wavelengths, indicating a lack of hot (∼1000 K) dust. Mid-infrared spectra are presented for four sources from the sample. One of them, HD 150193, shows strong silicate emission, while another, HD 176363, was not detected. The spectra of two stars from our previous sample of Vega-like sources both show UIR-band emission, attributed to hydrocarbon materials. Detailed comparisons of the optical and IRAS positions suggest that in some cases the IRAS source is not physically associated with the visible star. Alternative associations are suggested for several of these sources. Fractional excess luminosities are derived from the observed spectral energy distributions. The values found are comparable to those measured previously for other Vega-like sources.     

Star formation properties of Universidad Complutense de Madrid survey galaxies

We present new near-infrared J and K imaging data for 67 galaxies from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) survey used in the determination of the SFR density of the local Universe by Gallego et al. This is a sample of local star-forming galaxies with redshift lower than 0.045, and they constitute a representative subsample of the galaxies in the complete UCM survey. From the new data, complemented with our own Gunn- r images and long-slit optical spectroscopy, we have measured integrated K -band luminosities, r − J and J − K colours, and H α luminosities and equivalent widths. Using a maximum likelihood estimator and a complete set of evolutionary synthesis models, these observations allow us to estimate the strength of the current (or most recent) burst of star formation, its age, the star formation rate and the total stellar mass of the galaxies. An average galaxy in the sample has a stellar mass of 5×10¹⁰ M_⊙ and is undergoing (or has recently completed) a burst of star formation involving about 2 per cent of its total stellar mass. We identify two separate classes of star-forming galaxies in the UCM sample: low-luminosity, high-excitation galaxies (H  ii like ) and relatively luminous spiral galaxies (starburst disc- like ). The former show higher specific star formation rates (SFRs per unit mass) and burst strengths, and lower stellar masses than the latter. With regard to their specific star formation rates, the UCM galaxies are intermediate objects between normal quiescent spirals and the most extreme H  ii galaxies.