Orbit and physical characteristics of the components of the massive Algol V622 Per,a member of the open star cluster χ Per

Analysis of the radial velocities based on spectra of high (near the H _α line) and moderate (4420–4960 Å) resolutions supplemented by the published radial velocities has revealed the binarity of a bright member of the young open star cluster χ Per, the star V622 Per. The derived orbital elements of the binary show that the lines of both components are seen in its spectrum, the orbital period is 5.2 days, and the binary is in the phase of active mass exchange. The photometric variability of the star is caused by the ellipsoidal shape of its components. Analysis of the spectroscopic and photometric variabilities has allowed the absolute parameters of the binary’s orbit and its components to be found. V622 Per is shown to be a classical Algol with moderate mass exchange in the binary. Mass transfer occurs from the less massive (\({M_1} = 9.1 \pm 2.7{M_ \odot }\)) but brighter (\(\log {L_1} = 4.52 \pm 0.10{L_ \odot }\)) component onto the more massive (\({M_2} = 13.0 \pm 3.5{M_ \odot }\)) and less bright (\(\log {L_2} = 3.96 \pm 0.10{L_ \odot }\)) component. Analysis of the spectra has confirmed an appreciable overabundance of CNO-cycle products in the atmosphere of the primary component. Comparison of the positions of the binary’s components on the T _eff–log g diagram with the age of the cluster χ Per points to a possible delay in the evolution of the primary component due to mass loss by no more than 1–2Myr.     

KIC 8263801: A clump star in the Kepler open cluster NGC 6866 field?

In this paper we study the field of Kepler open cluster NGC 6866 using the data obtained from Kepler mission collected for a period of 4 years. We search for the red clump (RC) stars amongst the red giant (RG) stars showing solar-like oscillations using median gravity-mode period spacings (ΔP). We find a RG star KIC 8263801 having median gravity-mode period spacing 173.7 ± 6.4 s. We claim based on the median gravity-mode period spacing that KIC 8263801 is a secondary red clump (SRC) star which is massive enough to have ignited Helium burning in a non degenerate core. In the literature, no classification for KIC 8263801 has been provided. This is the first time that a star located in the field of NGC 6866 is classified in this manner.     

Search for Candidate Objects with the Sunyaev–Zeldovich Effect in the Radio Source Vicinities—galaxies: clusters: general

Based on the data from the Westerbork Northern Sky Survey performed at a frequency of 325 MHz in the range of right ascensions 0^h ≤ α < 2^h and declinations 29° < δ < 78° and using multi-frequency Planck maps, we selected candidate objects with the Sunyaev–Zeldovich effect. The list of the most probable candidates includes 381 sources. It is shown that the search for such objects can be accelerated by using a priori data on the negative level of fluctuations in the CMB map with removed low multipoles in the direction to radio sources.     

Ultraviolet studies of the interstellar gas in the direction of the stars AE Aur (09.5V) andθ 2 Ori A (09.0V)

We have studied high-resolution SWP spectra of AE Aur and ² Ori A, obtained from the International Ultraviolet Explorer Satellite; and derived curve of growth and column densities ofCii,Cii ^*, Alii, Siii, Siii ^*,Sii, Crii, Feii, Niii, and Znii. It has been possible to fit these ions on one empirical curve of growth with a velocity parameterb=13 km s^–1 for both stars.Based on the observations made by the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE), and collected at the Villafranca Satellite Tracking Station of the European Space Agency.     

On the signatures of companion formation in the spectral energy distributions of Sz54 and Sz59—the young stars with protoplanetary disks

We study spectral energy distributions of two young systems Sz54 and Sz59, that belong to Chameleon II star forming region. The results of the modeling indicate that protoplanetary disks of these systems contain gaps in the dust component. These gaps could be a result of a planetary or brown dwarf companion formation, because the companion would accumulate a disk material, moving along its orbit. In a present work we have determined physical characteristics of the disks. We also discuss possible companion characteristics, based on the geometrical parameters of the gaps.     

Neutron stars in the bimetric scalar—tensor theory of gravitation. II. solutions with a variable scalar field

Solutions of the equations of the bimetric scalar—tensor theory of gravitation with a variable scalar field are found for configurations of superdense matter with different versions of the equation of state. The possible existence of static superdense and supermassive configurations is established for all of the versions of the equation of state of superdense matter used. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 41, No. 1, pp. 131–135, January-March, 1998.     

A kinematic study of the integral shaped filament:what roles do filaments play in forming young stellar clusters?

Young protoclusters(embedded stellar clusters) are responsible for the vast majority of star formation currently occurring in the Galaxy. Recent observations suggest a scenario in which filamentary structures in the interstellar medium represent the first step towards precluster clumps and eventually star formation. Whether filaments continuously fuel the star formation process when the cluster accretes material is still an open question. In this paper, we present a case study of the famous ‘integral shaped filament'(ISF) in the Orion A molecular cloud and we seek to study the kinematics which is truly originated from the ISF. We firstly define the central ridge of the ISF with NH_3,~(12) CO,~(13) CO and N_2H~+. Undulations are present in all the ridges. Moreover, a large scale offset is apparent in the ridges as derived by different tracers, which may be explained by the slingshot mechanism proposed by Stutz Gould. We fit the velocity field of the ISF and find the derived velocity gradient is about 0.7 km s~(-1) pc~(-1) which may come from an overall contraction. We propose a method to check the accretion flow along the ISF by using the velocity deviations of different molecular tracers, which is better than the common method of using the velocity distribution of one tracer alone. Using the velocity deviations, we also find that OMC-1 to 5 are located close to the local extrema of the fluctuations, which may demonstrate that gas flows toward each clump along the ISF.     

Polarimetry in Planetary Science—A Step Forward with the VLT and a Need for the ELTs

We present a brief review of polarimetric measurements of solar system objects, both linear and circular, obtained with the FORS1 instrument at the Very Large Telescope VLT over the past years. A number of first and new results have been obtained by using this unique observing mode at an 8 m class telescope, among them polarimetry of faint planetary bodies like near-Earth asteroids, Kuiper Belt objects and cometary nuclei, spectropolarimetry of cometary coma material and of the Earthshine of the Moon (in order to verify that life exists on Earth!). We outline the science cases for planetary polarimetry at a future Extremely Large Telescope ELT and provide high level requirements for polarimetric equipment to be used at the ELTs for the study of the science cases described.     

HUDF 1619—A candidate for polar-ring galaxies in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field

A galaxy that is a good candidate for polar-ring galaxies has been detected in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (HUDF). The galaxy HUDF 1619 (V ≈ 25 ^m , z ～ 1) is the most distant object of this type known to date. A large-scale structure crosses the highly warped disk of the main galaxy seen almost edge-on at an angle of about 70°. The luminosity of this structure (the possible polar ring) reaches ～1/3 of the luminosity of the central galaxy. A strong absorption lane is seen in the region where this structure is projected onto the disk of the central object. There are two galaxies of comparable luminosity adjacent to HUDF 1619 (in projection). One of them may be the donor galaxy the interaction with which gave rise to the ring structure.     

One hundred years of observations of the Be star HDE 245770 (the X-ray binary A0535+26/V725 Tau): The end of an active phase?

UBV observations of the X-ray binary system A0535+26/V725 Tau at the Crimean Station of the Sternberg Astronomical Institute in 1980–1998 are presented. Based on our and published data, we analyze the photometric history of the star from 1898. Over a period of 100 years, the star apparently showed all three activity phases (B, Be, Be-shell) of Be stars. We conclude that the X-ray activity of the object is attributable to the 1970–1997 outburst of the Be star due to envelope ejection. The star's colors during the minimum light of 1998 and its 1953–1956 colors (before the outburst) correspond to the spectral type B0–B1 at the color excesses E _B-V = 0.74 and E _U-B = 0.48, in agreement with the current spectral type O9.7. The minimum light of 1998 and the color excesses are used to determine the colors of the additional radiation, analyze their evolution during the 1973–1997 outburst, and refine the distance to the object (3 kpc). The colors of the additional radiation at maximum light of the star (1973–1980) match the colors of a hydrogen plasma with T _e = 1.5 × 10⁴ K which is optically thick in the Balmer continuum. The brightness decline corresponds to a decrease in the optical depth of the plasma; at $V \simeq 9_.^m 1$ , it becomes optically thin in the Balmer continuum with T _e = 10⁴ K and N _e = 10¹⁰ ? 10¹² cm^?3. This conclusion is consistent with the model of a circumstellar envelope but is inconsistent with the existence of an accretion disk around the neutron star. All the additional radiation responsible for the optical variability is produced by a single source. The intensity of the Hα emission line at maximum light (1975–1980) is triple its intensity in 1987–1997, when quasi-periodic light fluctuations with P ≈ 1400^d were observed [1]. At this time, the line intensity correlated with brightness. The Hα line was in absorption at the minimum of 1998, and, at present, the star's active phase appears to have ended.     

On the variability of the A0 supergiants 9 Per,HR 1035, 13 Mon,Deneb, and HR 8020 as seen in FCAPT Strömgren photometry

We present differential Strömgren uvby Four College Automated Photometric Telescope (FCAPT) observations of five supergiants with spectral types near A0. For three stars we supplemented our new data with our earlier published data, and for two more stars we present new data. We used two computer programs Period04 and VStar in attempts to determine if significant periodicities are present. Some periods we found may not be real as their yearly coverages are only less about four months. Five years of 9 Per photometry and 11 years of HR 8020 photometry both suggest a period of 248 days which is 2/3 of a year. 13 Mon and HR 1035 may be variable, but the data we have taken does not permit us to determine their periods. Our most complete datasets for Deneb and for HR 8020 indicate very complex variability. This is not unexpected for stars with atmospheres where convection is the dominant mode of energy transportation. Among our five supergiants, 13 Mon has the smallest amplitudes for u, v, b, and y. Better sets of photometry for these stars require observing seasons to be as long as possible and should cover many observations per night rather than one. This should remove any effects of data being undersampled.     

Radio properties of the Shapley Concentration — II. J1324–3138: a remnant of a radio galaxy in the Abell cluster A3556?

In this paper we present a detailed study of the radio galaxy J1324–3138, located at a projected distance of 2 arcmin from the centre of the Abell cluster of galaxies A3556, belonging to the core of the Shapley Concentration, at an average redshift of z  = 0.05. We have observed J1324–3138 over a wide range of frequencies: at 327 MHz (VLA), 843 MHz (MOST), and at 1376, 2382, 4790 and 8640 MHz (ATCA).   Our analysis suggests that J1324–3138 is a remnant of a tailed radio galaxy, in which the nuclear engine has switched off and the radio source is now at a late stage of its evolution, confined by the intracluster gas. The radio galaxy is not in pressure equilibrium with the external medium, as is often found for extended radio sources in clusters of galaxies. We favour the hypothesis that the lack of observed polarized radio emission in the source is a result of Faraday rotation by a foreground screen, i.e. the source is seen through a dense cluster gas, characterized by a random magnetic field.   An implication of the head–tail nature of the source is that J1324–3138 is moving away from the core of A3556 and that, possibly, a major merging event between the core of A3556 and the subgroup hosting J1324–3138 has already taken place.     

A theoretical study of the ionospheric F region equatorial anomaly—II. results in the American and Asian sectors

When observed noontime values of the maximum electron density, NMAX(F2), in the ionospheric F2 region are plotted as a function of magnetic latitude, a curve is produced which has two peaks, one on either side of the dip equator at ±16° dip latitude. This paper theoretically investigates the daily variation of this latitudinal distribution in NMAX(F2) (the so-called Appleton or equatorial anomaly) and specifically attempts to account for the longitudinal differences observed between the American and Asian sectors.In Part II, models of the neutral atmosphere, production, loss and diffusion rates, neutral wind, and electric field are described and the electron densities obtained by solving the continuity equation utilizing these models are presented. In each sector, the extent to which the equatorial anomaly's daily variation is affected by changes in the geomagnetic field configuration, neutral wind, and $\text{E}\text{×}\text{B}$ drift is examined. It is found that development of the anomaly is most sensitive to the electric field model assumed, and that the observed differences at the magnetic equator between the American and Asian sectors could be accounted for by an upward $\text{E}\text{×}\text{B}$ drift which commences an hour or two earlier in the Asian sector.     

How effective is new variable modified Chaplygin gas to play the role of dark energy—a dynamical system analysis in RS II brane model

Motivated by some previous works of Rudra et al. we set to explore the background dynamics when dark energy in the form of New Variable Modified Chaplygin gas is coupled to dark matter with a suitable interaction in the universe described by brane cosmology. The main idea is to find out the efficiency of New variable modified Chaplygin gas to play the role of DE. As a result we resort to the technique of comparison with standard dark energy models. Here the RSII brane model have been considered as the gravity theory. An interacting model is considered in order to search for a possible solution of the cosmic coincidence problem. A dynamical system analysis is performed because of the high complexity of the system. The statefinder parameters are also calculated to classify the dark energy model. Graphs and phase diagrams are drawn to study the variations of these parameters and get an insight into the effectiveness of the dark energy model. It is also seen that the background dynamics of New Variable Modified Chaplygin gas is consistent with the late cosmic acceleration. After performing an extensive mathematical analysis, we are able to constrain the parameters of new variable modified Chaplygin gas as m<n to produce the best possible results. Future singularities are studied and it is found that the model has a tendency to result in such singularities unlike the case of generalized cosmic Chaplygin gas. Our investigation leads us to the fact that New Variable Modified Chaplygin gas is not as effective as other Chaplygin gas models to play the role of dark energy.