Old stellar population synthesis： new age and mass estimates for Mayall Ⅱ = G1

Mayall Ⅱ = G1 is one of the most luminous globular clusters （GCs） in M31. Here, we determine its age and mass by comparing multicolor photometry with theoretical stellar population synthesis models. Based on far- and near-ultraviolet GALEX photometry, broad-band UBVRI, and infrared JHKs 2MASS data, we construct the most extensive spectral energy distribution of G 1 to date, spanning the wavelength range from 1538 to 20 000A. A quantitative comparison with a variety of simple stellar population （SSP） models yields a mean age which is consistent with G1 being among the oldest building blocks of M31 and having formed within ～1.7 Gyr after the Big Bang. Irrespective of the SSP model or stellar initial mass function adopted, the resulting mass estimates （of order 10^7M⊙） indicate that GI is one of the most massive GCs in the Local Group. However, we speculate that the cluster＇s exceptionally high mass suggests that it may not be a genuine GC. Our results also suggest that G1 may contain, on average, （1.65±0.63） × 10^2L⊙ far-ultraviolet-bright, hot, extreme horizontal-branch stars, depending on the adopted SSP model. In addition, we demonstrate that extensive multi-passband photometry coupled with SSP analysis enables one to obtain age estimates for old SSPs that have similar accuracies as those from integrated spectroscopy or resolved stellar photometry, provided that some of the free parameters can be constrained independently.     

Inclusion of sdBs in evolutionary population synthesis for binary stellar populations and the application: the determination of photo-z and galaxy morphology

Subdwarf B stars (sdBs) can significantly change the ultraviolet spectra of populations at age t～1 Gyr, and have been even included in the evolutionary population synthesis (EPS) models by Han et al. (Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 380:1098, 2007). In this study we present the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of binary stellar populations (BSPs) by combining the EPS models of Han et al. (Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 380:1098, 2007) and those of the Yunnan group (Zhang et al. in Astron. Astrophys. 415:117, 2004; Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 357:1088, 2005), which have included various binary interactions (except sdBs) in EPS models. This set of SEDs is available upon request from the authors. Using this set of SEDs of BSPs we build the spectra of Burst, E, S0–Sd and Irr types of galaxies by using the package of Bruzual and Charlot (Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 344:1000, 2003). Combined with the photometric data (filters and magnitudes), we obtain the photometric redshifts and morphologies of 1502 galaxies by using the Hyperz code of Bolzonella et al. (Astron. Astrophys. 363:476, 2000). This sample of galaxies is obtained by removing those objects, mismatched with the SDSS/DR7 and GALEX/DR4, from the catalogue of Fukugita et al. (Astron. J. 134:579, 2007). By comparison the results with the SDSS spectroscopic redshifts and the morphological index of Fukugita et al. (Astron. J. 134:579, 2007), we find that the photo-z fluctuate with the SDSS spectroscopic redshifts, while the Sa–Sc galaxies in the catalogue of Fukugita et al. (Astron. J. 134:579, 2007) are classified earlier as Burst-E galaxies.     

The search for roAp stars: null results and new candidates from Strmgren-Crawford photometry

The rapidly oscillating Ap(roAp) stars exhibit pulsational photometric and/or radial velocity variations on time scales of several minutes, which are essential to test current pulsation models as well as our assumptions of atmospheric structure characteristics. In addition, their chemical peculiarity makes them very interesting for probing stellar formation and evolution in the presence of a global magnetic field. To date, a limited number of only 61 roAp stars is known to show photometric variability. On the other hand, a literature survey yields 619 unique stars that have unsuccessfully been searched for variability of this kind. Str o¨mgren-Crawford uvbyβ photometry of stars from both subgroups was used to investigate whether there is a selection bias for the investigated stars. We also present new photometric measurements(202 hours on 59 different nights) of 55 roAp candidates. We did not detect any new roAp star. Although our detection limits are comparable to other surveys, we also did not find pulsations in the known roAp star HD 12098, which may be a consequence of temporal amplitude changes. On the other hand, we do find some evidence for photometric variability of beta CrB at its spectroscopically derived pulsation period. From the uvbyβ photometry we conclude that the blue border of the roAp instability strip appears observationally well defined, whereas the red border is rather poorly known and studied.Within these boundaries, a total of 4646 candidates were identified which appear worth investigating for short-term pulsational variability.     

Martian CO abundance from the J = 1 → 0 rotational transition: Evidence for temporal variations

Mars was observed in the CO (J = 1 → 0) 2.6-mm wavelength line between 29 March and 1 April, 1980. The data were analyzed using a model atmosphere based on Viking measurements. A least-squares fit of the model to the observed line profile yielded an average CO mixing ratio of (3.2 ± 1.1) × 10^?3. This value is four times larger than that obtained by L. D. Kaplan, J. Connes, and P. Connes, 1969 (Astrophys. J.157, L187-L195) from analysis of an infrared spectrum obtained in 1967 by J. Connes, P. Connes, and J. P. Maillard, 1969 (Atlas of Near Infrared Spectra of Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris). Models of the Martian atmospheric chemistry indicate that this implied temporal variation could easily exist and that it would be due primarily to variations in the abundance of H₂O.     

The Algol-type eclipsing binaries RW CrB and VZ Leo: new RI photometric study and search for pulsations

In this study we present the new R and I light curve solutions for the eclipsing binary systems RW CrB and VZ Leo, which for VZ Leo is the first one in the literature. Our new observations have been analyzed using the Wilson-Devinney code from which new geometric and photometric elements are derived. The geometry of both stars is that of a semi-detached binary system where the secondary component fills its Roche lobe while the primary component is well inside. In the case of RW CrB, asymmetry in the light curve was explained by a spot model. The orbital period changes of both systems were studied and the results indicated a period decrease which can be explained by angular momentum loss. We also investigated the possibility of pulsations of the primary components since these systems are mentioned as candidates of δ Sct type pulsation. However, a time-series analysis of the residual curves in the filter I does not indicate any evidence of periodic light variation for both systems. Finally, we compared the results obtained for both binary stars to those of similar systems.     

F stars: Evidence for ‘two-dimensional’ age-metallicity relation and a new light on the enrichment history of the solar neighbourhood

From theuvby photometry and proper motions for about 5500 nearby F stars we have found the following: (i) F stars, taken in narrow ranges of metallicity, show at [Fe/H]<0 rather distinct cut-off in their distribution along the Main Sequence (MS) at the blue side, which is suggested to be an indication for the MS turn-off in stellar groups of fixed metallicity; (ii) the corresponding turn-off age from theoretical isochrones strongly correlates with the mean peculiar velocity of the turn-off stars; (iii) the sub-groups of stars of different colours have essentially the same mean peculiar velocity at low metallicity, but at high metallicity the velocities of the red subgroups are much larger than those of the blue ones. We argue that these properties of F stars lead to a two-dimensional age-metallicity relation with the following main features: (i) a very large spread of metal abundance for old stars, (ii) narrowing of the metallicity range toward younger ages, (iii) increase of mean metallicity toward younger ages. This AMR seems to require a major revision of current models of the chemical evolution of the Galaxy: it suggests that the spatial distribution of metal abundance in the interstellar medium was initially highly inhomogeneous, the inhomogeneities being smoothed out and the mean metallicity being increased as the time went on.We also find an evidence for the evolution of the gaseous matter, from which the open clusters are formed, to be somehow decoupled from the evolution of the overall ISM.     

The putative nebula of the Wolf-Rayet WR 60 star: a case of mistaken identity and reclassification as a new supernova remnant G310.5+0.8

We present narrow band AAO/UKST Hα images and medium and low resolution optical spectra of a nebula shell putatively associated with the Wolf-Rayet star WR 60. We also present the first identification of this shell in the radio regime at 843 MHz and at 4850 MHz from the Sydney University Molonglo Sky Survey (SUMSS), and from the Parkes-MIT-NRAO (PMN) survey respectively. This radio emission closely follows the optical emission. The optical spectra from the shell exhibits the typical shock excitation signatures sometimes seen in Wolf-Rayet stellar ejecta but also common to supernova remnants. A key finding however, is that the WR 60 star, is not, in fact, anywhere near the geometrical centre of the putative arcuate nebula ejecta as had been previously stated. This was due to an erroneous positional identification for the star in the literature which we now correct. This new identification calls into serious question any association of the nebula with WR 60 as such nebula are usually quite well centred on the WR stars themselves. We now propose that this fact combined with our new optical spectra, deeper Hα imaging and newly identified radio structures actually imply that the WR 60 nebula should be reclassified as an unassociated new supernova remnant which we designate G310.5+0.8.     

ETON 2: Quenching parameters for the proposed precursors of O2(b1Σg+) and O(1S) in the terrestrial nightglow

Volume emission profiles of the O₂(b¹Σ_g⁺−X³Σ_g^t-)(O-O) Atmospheric Band and the O(¹S-¹D) green line are used together with coordinated measurements of the atomic oxygen concentrations to test the hypothesis that both emissions are excited by Barth type mechanisms. By considering O₂(b¹Σ_g⁺) to be produced from an excited O₂ precursor, with O₂ as transfer agent, and O(¹S) to be formed from a similar precursor with atomic oxygen as the transfer agent, precursor quenching rates are obtained as a function of altitude. These quenching profiles can be well resolved into components corresponding to collisional deactivation by O(³P) and O₂ (or N₂), and support the suggestion that Barth type mechanisms are involved. Minimum efficiencies for the production of the two precursors in oxygen atom recombination and ratios for the quenching of each by O(³P) and O₂ (or N₂) are deduced. Differences in the quenching coefficients for the two precursors are discussed.     

In search of infall motion in molecular clumps Ⅱ: HCO~+(1-0) and HCN(1-0)observations toward a sub-sample of infall candidates

Gravitational accretion accumulates the original mass.This process is crucial for us to understand the initial phases of star formation.Using the specific infall profiles in optically thick and thin lines,we searched the clumps with infall motion from the Milky Way Imaging Scroll Painting(MWISP) CO data in previous work.In this study,we selected 133 sources as a sub-sample for further research and identification.The excitation temperatures of these sources are between 7.0 and 38.5 K,while the H_2 column densities are between 10~(21) and 10~(23) cm~(-2).We have observed optically thick lines HCO~+(1-0) and HCN(1-0) using the DLH 13.7-m telescope,and found 56 sources with a blue profile and no red profile in these two lines,which are likely to have infall motions,with a detection rate of 42%.This suggests that using CO data to restrict the sample can effectively improve the infall detection rate.Among these confirmed infall sources are 43 associated with Class O/I young stellar objects(YSOs),and 13 which are not.These 13 sources are probably associated with the sources in the earlier evolutionary stage.In comparison,the confirmed sources that are associated with Class O/I YSOs have higher excitation temperatures and column densities,while the other sources are colder and have lower column densities.Most infall velocities of the sources that we confirmed are between 10~(-1) to 10~0 km s~(-1),which is consistent with previous studies.     

Performance of the stereoscopic system of the HEGRA imaging air erenkov telescopes: Monte Carlo simulations and observations

Based on the Monte Carlo simulations we have studied the performance of the HEGRA system of imaging air erenkov telescopes (IACTs) in its present configuration of 4 IACTs as well as in its future final configuration of 5 IACTs. Here we present the results on the basic characteristics of the IACT system which are used in the standard data analysis procedure, i.e., the collection areas, the detection rates, the angular resolution, the energy resolution, and the γ/hadron-separation efficiency. By comparing several key Monte Carlo predictions with experimental results it is possible to check the accuracy of the simulations. The Monte Carlo results concerning hadron-nuclear showers are tested with the recorded cosmic ray events and the results concerning photon-induced showers are tested with a large data sample of γ-rays observed from BL Lac object Mkn 501 during its high flaring activity in 1997. Summarizing the simulations and current observations we give the basic recommendations of using the instrument and the major values of its sensitivity.     

Development of an -based spectral analysis system for the coded-aperture hard X-ray balloon payload EXITE2

We present the spectral analysis system for the second-generation energetic X-ray imaging telescope experiment (EXITE2) balloon payload. EXITE2 is an imaging hard X-ray telescope using a coded-aperture mask and a NaI/CsI phoswich detector operating in the energy range 20–600 keV. The instrument was flown on a high-altitude scientific balloon from Ft. Sumner, NM on 7–8 May, 1997. We describe the details of the EXITE2 spectral analysis system, with emphasis on those aspects peculiar to coded-aperture instruments. In particular, we have made our analysis compatible with the standard X-ray spectral fitting package by generating a response matrix in the appropriate format including all the effects of a coded-aperture system. The use of , which may be a first for coded-aperture data, permits great flexibility in the fitting of spectral models. The additional effects of our phoswich system, or any other detector-specific considerations, may be easily included as well. We test our spectral analysis using observations of the Crab Nebula, and find that the EXITE2 Crab spectrum is consistent with those recorded by previous instruments operating in this energy range.