Li production in the big bang

Li abundance is determined for 23 halo subdwarfs. About half of the stars show [Fe/H] < −1.4 and a space velocityV > 160 km s⁻¹ Li appears to be present in all our halo stars, with an abundance within about ± 0.2 dex of the value logn (Li) = 2.0 found by Spite & Spite (1982). Thus our results provide confirmation of the main conclusion of Spite & Spite.     

Nitrogen enhancement in metal-poor dwarfs: From inside or outside?

The five known metal-poor dwarfs with an enhanced N/Fe ratio have been observed spectroscopically. Two of these dwarfs have no lithium line; the absence of lithium is most probably accounted for by the usual convective destruction. The three other dwarfs have the same lithium abundance as the normal metal-poor dwarfs (Spite, Maillard & Spite 1984). This excludes the deep mixing process as the general source of nitrogen enhancement, since lithium is destroyed in deep (hot) layers. Deep mixing had been previously found unlikely in metal-poor dwarfs (Da Costa & Demarque 1982). The discussion stresses the remarkable uniformity of the lithium abundance in metal-poor dwarfs, and shows that the N-rich contaminating matter has a high N/H ratio. Finally, the Al abundance is not greatly enhanced in these five stars. Based on observations collected at ESO and CFHT.     

The 283 day periodicity in the O-C diagram of β Lyrae

A detailed analysis of an extensive collection of minima of Beta Lyrae was performed. After removing the effect of the orbital period increase, we applied the Fourier analysis to the O-C residuals. The most prominent periodicity is 283 days with amplitude of about 0.05 days. We confirm the period found by Van Hamme, Wilson & Guinan [1995, Astron. J., 110, 1350] from analysis of the photometric light curves of β Lyrae.     

Doppler period variations of high-velocity pulsars

The effect of the source motion on the period variation of pulsars is investigated. For some pulsars, a velocity 100–300 km/s can give a Doppler contribution to the second period derivative P which is comparable or larger than the intrinsic variation predicted by theoretical models, whereas larger velocities are required in order to give an appreciable kinematic effect on the first derivative P. The possibility of experimental detection of P and proper motion for known pulsars is discussed.     

CCD Photometry of QSO 0957+561 A & B for the period 1987–1992 using La Palma archive

We present the results of CCD photometry of the first gravitational lenssystem QSO 0957+561, obtained on the base of La Palma archive. Usingcross-correlation analysis we have found the time delay between A and Bquasar images to be 430 ± 15 days. Our photometry of QSO 0957+561 A & Bgives additional independent confirmation of the recent results on the time delay about 425 days.     

Spectral Broadening of the 3463 å Line in a Zirconium Plasma Generated by Laser Irradiation

In a vacuum chamber a plasma is produced by shining a pulsed Nitrogen laser, 20 mJ and 20 ns (Nordstrom, 1995), focused in an area of 0.1 mm² over a high purity polycrystalline Zirconium surface. This is accomplished by an optical system coupled to a monochromator, with a 0.1 Å resolution power, by detecting the visible and ultraviolet radiation for Zr I and Zr II. For the transition a₂ H_4.5 y² G_3.5 ⁰, measurements are performed at different distances with respect to the impact area, to determine the Doppler and Stark effects dependence on the laser fluency (J/cm²). The Zr II ions velocity is determined in order to estimate the Doppler broadening effect in the fitting of the Voigt profile for the spectral line studied. These measurements are performed in a shoot to shoot way.     

The comoving-frame equation of radiative transfer in a curvilinear coordinate system

The comoving-frame equation of radiative transfer and moment equations are derived in orthogonal, curvilinear coordinates, inclusive of terms of orderv/c. The equation of radiative transfer, which contains the terms due to the effect of curvature of coordinate lines explicitly as well as those of Doppler shift and aberration, is the generalization of Castor's equation for spherical symmetry and of Buchler's equation for Cartesian coordinates. The moment equations agree with Buchler's.     

Spectroscopic Survey of δ Sct Stars

The methods used to derive effective temperatures, projected rotational velocities and surface gravities of a sample of low and high-amplitude δ Sct stars are presented here. Effective temperatures were derived using Hα and Hβ line profiles whereas rotational velocities were calculated following the method described in Solano & Fernley (1997). Surface gravities were obtained using Hipparcos parallaxes and evolutionary models (Claret 1995). The results of this analysis will be published in a subsequent paper (Solano & Pintado 1999). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An analysis of 900 rotation curves of southern sky spiral galaxies: Do rotation curves fall into discrete classes?

One of the largest rotation curve data bases of spiral galaxies currently available is that provided by Persic& Salucci (1995; hereafter, PS) which has been derived by them from unreduced rotation curve data of 965 southern sky spirals obtained by Mathewson, Ford& Buchhorn (1992; hereafter, MFB). Of the original sample of 965 galaxies, the observations on 900 were considered by PS to be good enough for rotation curve studies, and the present analysis concerns itself with these 900 rotation curves. The analysis is performed within the context of the hypothesis that velocity fields within spiral discs can be described by generalized power-laws. Rotation curve data was found to impose an extremely strong and detailed correlation between the free parameters of the power-law model, and this correlation accounts for virtually all the variation in the pivotal diagram. In the process, the analysis reveals completely unexpected structure which indicates that rotation curves can be partitioned into well-defined discrete subclasses.     

New variations of Mg II emission lines of Mira AB with HST

This paper presents results from high resolution observations of the Mira AB binary system taken by the HST (Hubble Space Telescope) in the ultraviolet region through the period (1999–2004). By comparing the results using HST data with those obtained from the IUE (International Ultraviolet Explorer) observations through the period (1979–1995). we found new variations in the profiles, widths and fluxes of Mg II (k&h) emission lines. In addition to this it appears that there are another emission components at some phases in the red and blue sides of both Mg II (k&h) emission lines. These emission components may be of Mira A origin. There is a considerable shift of both Mg II (k&h) emission lines in observation taken on 2nd February 2004. The Mg II profiles extends up to more than 600 km/s, and redshifted as with IUE observations.     

Effects of rotation on the colours and line indices of stars

The intrinsicuvby and HΒ indices of member stars of α-Persei, Pleiades and Scorpio-Centaurus association have been analysed in detail for rotation effects. These stars range in spectral type from B0 to F0 and the observed effects of rotation are found to be in agreement with photometric effects calculated by Collins & Sonneborn (1977) for rigidly rotating B0 to F0 stars On leave of absence from Assumption College, Changanacherry, Kerala.     

Low velocity shock-cloud encounters II.

We report on a comparative study of nearby shocked clouds with and without star formation, based on IRAS, HI(21cm), CO(1-0) NH₃ (and other molecular line) observations. The dark clouds L1780 (no star formation) and L1251 (high SFE) are discussed here. Their density and velocity structure are compared with the predictions of the HD model of Horváth & Tóth (1995), Paper I.     

银河系光行差及其对天文参考架的影响

银河系光行差,或称为长期光行差漂移,是由于太阳系质心绕着银河系中心做轨道运动的加速度引起的视自行效应,量级大约为5μas·yr~(-1).在21世纪之前,由于观测精度尚未达到如此高的程度,人们很少讨论银河系光行差效应.随着甚长基线干涉(Very Long Baseline Interferometer,VLBI)在基本天文学中的广泛应用和欧洲空间局(European Space Agency,ESA)的第2代微角秒天体测量卫星Gaia的问世,该效应显得逐渐重要.由于河外源的分布不均匀,银河系光行差效应会使得河外源天球参考架缓慢旋转,进而需要修正地球岁差参数,其中岁差速率的改正值大约为1μas·yr~(-1).对于微角秒精度的VLBI和Gaia参考架,银河系光行差将会引起框架扭曲,在两者的连接过程中,也是必须考虑的系统效应.     

Orbital elements of the RS CVn eclipsing binary,SV Camelopardalis

The extensiveUBV observations of SV Camelopardalis by Patkos (1982) have been analysed to derive the orbital elements of the system. The data were corrected for the effect of third body (Sarma, Sarma & Abhyankar 1985) and for the ‘RS CVn’ distortion wave (Sarma, Vivekanandarao & Sarma 1988). The cleaned data were used to obtain a preliminary solution by a modified version of Wellmann method (Sarma & Abhyankar 1979) from which we concluded that the primary eclipse is a transit. The final orbital elements of SV Cam were obtained by the modified version (Sarma 1988; Sarmaet al. 1987) of WINK program by Wood (1972). The colour and median brightness variation are discussed. From the spectroscopic mass functionf(m) = 0.118 M_⊙ (Hiltner 1953), the absolute dimensions of the components are found to be 0.826 M_bd & 0.592 M_⊙ and 1.236 R_⊙ & 0.778 R_⊙ for the primary and secondary components, respectively. The age of the binary system is estimated to be 6.0 ± 1.0 × 10⁸ years     

[WR] nuclei of planetary nebulae: Inferences from statistical studies of the nebulae

There are about 50 galactic planetary nebulae know to have [WR] type nuclei. We have compared their nebular properties with those of the other planetary nebulae in the Galaxy. We have found that the nebular morphological types are similarly distributed in the two groups. Bipolar nebulae constitute only 20% of the total in each group. The distribution of the nebular electron densities and abundance ratios N/O, He/H and C/O are the same in the two groups. The only marked difference is that nebular expansion velocities are larger in the group of planetary nebulae with [WR] central stars. We argue that the WR phenomenon does not preferentially occur in more massive central stars of planetary nebulae, contrary to what has been suggested in some former studies. We demonstrate that, for most of the observed [WR] type objects, the WR phenomenon cannot be triggered by a late helium shell flash event.The results of our investigation are published inAstronomy & Astrophysics 303, 893 (1995) and in the proceedings of the 2nd International Colloquium on Hydrogen-deficient Stars, C.S. Jeffery & U. Heber (eds), Astronomical Society of the Pacific Conference Series, Vol. 96, p. 209 (1996).     

Pulsar velocities

Radio pulsars have long been established as having high velocities that are probably produced in the violence of their formation in Supernovae (Gunn & Ostriker 1970; Lyne, Anderson & Salter 1982). Three recent developments have resulted in a reassessment of their velocities: the adoption of a new distance scale (Taylor & Cordes 1993), many new determinations of proper motion (Harrison, Lyne & Anderson 1993; Bailes et al. 1989; Fomalont et al. 1992) and the realisation (Harrison & Lyne 1993) that estimates of speeds derived from scintillation measurements were systematically low by about a factor of 2. Taking into account a strong selection effect that makes the observed velocities unrepresentative of those acquired at birth, it seems that the mean space velocity of pulsars at birth is 450 ± 90 km s^-1 (Lyne and Lorimer 1994), about a factor of 3 greater than earlier estimates. The general migration from the Galactic plane is consistent with birth in the supernova of massive Population I stars. An outstanding question is how such velocities are produced in the kinetics of supernova collapse. This large increase in birth velocity is likely to have a major impact upon our understanding of the retention of neutron stars in binary systems, globular clusters and the Galaxy as it exceeds or is comparable with all their escape velocities. The rapid spatial separation of fast and slow pulsars will have a profound effect upon calculations of the galactic population and birth rate, both of which have been underestimated in the past. Furthermore, the distribution of dead neutron stars will be more isotropic and may better match the distribution of the gamma-ray burst sources. A small number of pulsars are at a large distance from the Galactic plane, but moving towards it. The most likely origin of these objects lies in OB runaway stars.     

Short-term brightness variations of V747 Cyg

We have conducted high-speed photometric observations of the suspected cataclysmic variable V747 Cyg. The literature data about the spectra of this star are conflicting. Zwitter and Munari [A&AS 107 (1994) 503] obtained spectroscopic observations which confirmed the cataclysmic variable nature of V747 Cyg, whereas Downes et al. [AJ 110 (1995) 1824] have concluded that this object may be a Be + M binary rather than a cataclysmic variable. Our observations revealed the complete absence of the rapid flickering in this star at a millimagnitude level. This phenomenon is to be inherent in all cataclysmic variables. Instead, the lightcurves of V747 Cyg showed probably periodic smooth low-amplitude variations that were visible during each observational night. When V747 Cyg was observed in two colours simultaneously, these variations had the equal phases and amplitudes. A periodogram analysis revealed probable periods of 5.77, 7.41 and 7.59 h. These periods and the amplitude as well as the oscillation behaviour in the different colours are typical of variable Be stars. Hence, V747 Cyg may be a variable Be star but not a cataclysmic variable.     

The Stingray Nebula: watching the rapid evolution of a newly born planetary nebula

The formation and early evolution of planetary nebulae represent one of the most poorly understood phases of stellar evolution (Kwok, 1987; Maddox, 1995). One of the youngest, the Stingray Nebula (He3-1357) (Henize, 1967; Henize, 1976), shows all the tell-tale signs of a newly born planetary nebula: it has become ionized only within the past few decades (Parthasarathy et al., 1993); the mass-loss from the central star has ceased within the past few years; and the central star is becoming hotter and fainter as expected from a star on its way to becoming a DA white dwarf (Parthasarathy et al., 1995). The Stingray Nebula thus provides the ideal laboratory for examining the early structure and evolution of this class of objects. Images of the Stingray Nebula, obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope, show for the first time that its multiple expulsions of matter are focused by an equatorial ring and bubbles of gas located on opposite sides of the ring (Bobrowsky et al., 1995). The position angle of the outflows has changed, possibly as a result of precessional motion induced by the presence of a companion star. This is consistent with the precessing jet model by Livio & Pringle (1996). Indeed, we have reported the discovery of a companion star in the Stingray Nebula (Bobrowsky et al., 1998). Finally, we present evidence of the companion star dynamically distorting the gas in this newly-born planetary nebula.     

Relativistic effects in radar detection of ionization fronts produced by ultra-high energy cosmic rays

We revisit the radar echo technique as an approach to detect ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECR). The UHECR extensive air showers generate disk-like ionization fronts propagating with a relativistic velocity and creating fast decaying plasma. We study the reflection of a radio wave, such as the one from a radar transmitter or commercial radio and TV station, from the relativistic ionization front. The reflected wave will be frequency upshifted due to the relativistic Doppler effect and propagate almost normally to the front due to relativistic aberration. The amplitude of the reflected wave depends strongly on the front velocity and parameters (density, collision frequency) of the plasma behind the front. We develop a theory that allows one to find the reflected wave. Using this theory and typical parameters of extensive air showers, we discuss the feasibility of UHECR detection.     

The Galactic Aberration and Its Impact on Astronomical Reference Frames

The Galactic aberration effect, also known as the secular aberration drift, is a consequence of the centripetal acceleration of the Solar System Barycenter in the circular orbit around the Galactic center. It causes distance-independent apparent proper motions (the amplitude is about 5 ${\mu \mathit{as}·\mathit{yr}}^{-1}$) for extragalactic sources which were regarded as motionless before 21th century. As the very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) has been greatly developed, and the ESA (European Space Agency) space mission Gaia has provided ultra high-precision astrometric data, the Galactic aberration effect has becoming important. It causes slow spin of the reference frame due to the non-uniform distribution of extragalactic sources. Therefore systematic corrections have to be applied to the Earth rotation parameters. For the precession rate, the correction is about 1 ${\mu \mathit{as}·\mathit{yr}}^{-1}$. For the very high accurate VLBI and Gaia reference frames, the Galactic aberration effect will introduce small distortion which is a crucial systematic effect for the link of the two reference frames.