Possible variability of the magnetic field of T Tau

Using the Main Stellar Spectrograph of the 6-m Special Astrophysical Observatory telescope equipped with a polametric analyzer, we measured the longitudinal magnetic field component B_∥ for the T Tauri stars T Tau and AS 507 on January 16 and 18 and February 15, 2003. For both stars, we determined only the upper limits on B_∥ from photospheric lines: +15±30 G for T Tau and ?70±90 G for AS 507. The magnetic field of AS 507 was not measured previously, while B_∥ for T Tau is lower than its values that we obtained in 1996 and 2002 (B_∥?150±50G), suggesting that the longitudinal magnetic field component in the photosphere of T Tau is variable. We also measured the longitudinal magnetic field component for T Tau in the formation region of the He I 5876 Å emission line. We found B_∥ in this region to be ?+650, ?+350, and ?+1100 G on January 16, 18, and February 15, 2003, respectively. Our observations on January 18 and February 15 correspond to virtually the same phase of the star's rotation period, but the profiles of the He I 5876 Å line differ markedly on these two nights. Therefore, we believe that the threefold difference between the B_∥ values on these nights does not result from observational errors. We discuss the possible causes of the B_∥ variability in the photosphere and the magnetosphere of T Tau.     

Analysis of HST ultraviolet spectra for T Tauri stars: Estimating the interstellar extinction and the contribution from an accretion shock to the emission-continuum formation

We analyzed the spectra of eight T Tauri stars (T Tau, RY Tau, CO Ori, EZ Ori, GW Ori, GX Ori, V1044 Ori, and SU Aur) in the wavelength range from 1200 to 3100 Å taken with the STIS spectrograph from the Hubble Space Telescope. For each star, we found an upper limit on the interstellar extinction A _v , which proved to be lower than the values obtained by different authors from optical observations. For T Tau and RY Tau, we found the upper limits on their luminosities, masses, and radii as well as the bolometric luminosity of the excess emission continuum. The latter is most likely associated with mass accretion from a protoplanetary disk. We show that the bulk of the emission continuum is radiated in the infrared. For these stars, we determined the ratio of the flux in the C IV 1550 doublet lines to the excess-continuum flux. This ratio proved to be two orders of magnitude lower than its values predicted by the accretion-shock (AS ) models developed by Lamzin (1998) and Calvet and Gullbring (1998). This result leads us to believe that for T Tau and RY Tau, the emission continuum originates in the accretion disk and/or in the boundary layer rather than in the AS, as has been assumed previously. This implies that in these stars, only a small fraction of the accreted matter passes through the AS, while the bulk of this matter settles in the equatorial plane of the star, passing through the boundary layer.     

Estimating the interstellar extinction and the contribution from an accretion shock to the formation of emission continuum in DS Tau and DG Tau

We analyze the UV spectra of the young stars DG Tau and DS Tau taken with the STIS spectrograph from the Hubble Space Telescope. For these stars, we found the upper limits of the interstellar extinction A _V . Their values proved to be lower than those obtained by other authors from optical observations. For DS Tau, DG Tau, and T W Hya, we also determined the ratio of theflux in the C IV 1550 doublet lines to the excess continuum flux. It proved to be an order of magnitude lower than its value predicted by the accretion-shock (AS) models of Lamzin (1998) and Calvet and Gullbring (1998). It thus follows that for these stars, the emission continuum originates mainly in the accretion disk and/or the boundary layer rather than in the AS, as has been thought previously. Since a similar conclusion has previously been reached for DR Tau, T Tau, and RY Tau, we may assume that the disks around most young stars reach the stellar surface and accretion mainly proceeds through the boundary layer.     

Infrared photometry for two RV Tau stars and V1027 Cyg

We present and discuss the results of our long-term JHKLM photometry for two RV Tau stars (R Sge and RV Tau) and the yellow supergiant V1027 Cyg, a candidate for protoplanetary nebulae. The amplitude of the infrared brightness variations in R Sge and RV Tau over fourteen years of observations was 0 _. ^m 9?1 ^m ; the infrared brightness variations in V1027 Cyg over eighteen years did not exceed 0 _. ^m 25. The infrared brightness and color of R Sge fluctuated about their gradually changing mean values; the infrared brightness variations agree with a period of 70.77 days. The periodic J brightness and J-H color variations in R Sge can be explained by temperature pulsations with ΔT ≤ 200 K and radial pulsations with [ΔR/R] ≤ 0.2. From 1995 to 2008, the mean J brightness of RV Tau increased, while its mean J-H color index decreased; the variations in the mean J brightness can be associated mainly with stellar temperature variations; a periodic component with P = 78.73 days is observed in the infrared brightness and color fluctuations. The variations in the mean J brightness and J-H color index of the supergiant V1027 Cyg over eighteen years of observations did not exceed a few hundredths of a magnitude; both temperature and radial pulsations may be present in the observed J brightness variations. The most probable period of the infrared brightness fluctuations in V1027 Cyg is 237 ± 2 days. The dust shell of R Sge may consist of two layers with grain temperatures of ～1000 and ～700 K; the optical depth at 1.25 µm is ～0.02 and ～0.24, respectively. The grain temperatures in the circumstellar dust shells of the supergiants RV Tau and V1027 Cyg are ～600 K (RV Tau) and ～700 K (V1027 Cyg). Their optical depths at 1.25 µm are ～0.24 (RV Tau) and ～0.008 (V1027 Cyg).     

Variability of the spectrum and brightness of RY Tau

The results of spectroscopic observations of the star RY Tau in the ultraviolet based on IUE data and in the visual spectral range obtained at ShAO are presented. Despite significant brightness variability in 1983–1984, the Mg II λ2800 Å emission doublet showed no synchronous variation with the UBV photometric data. Periodic variability of the Mg II λ2800 Å emission intensity with a period of 23 days has been detected for the first time. The periodicity is also observed for a group of such lines as CIV λ1450 Å, He II λ1640 Å, and S II λ1756 Å. The equivalent widths and shifts of the individual components of the Hα, H + H _ε , and CaII K lines also vary with the period found. The observed variability of the emission spectrum can be explained by the existence of a companion in the system in an orbit with a semimajor axis of about 0.13 AU.     

Analysis of magnetic field measurements for T Tau

The presence of hot spots on the surface of T Tau attributable to mass accretion from the protoplanetary disk is shown to have virtually no effect on the accuracy of estimating the magnetic field strength for this star. By comparing the magnetic field strengths for T Tau at the photospheric level measured by various methods, we found that if the angle i at which we see T Tau does not exceed 10°, then the magnetic field of the star could be dipolar with the angle between the dipole axis and the rotation axis of the star ?85°. If, however, it later emerges that i > 10°, its magnetic field is essentially nondipolar and/or nonstationary.     

Symmetry of the neutron and proton superfluidity effects in cooling neutron stars

We investigate the combined effect of neutron and proton superfluidities on the cooling of neutron stars whose cores consist of nucleons and electrons. We consider the singlet state paring of protons and the triplet pairing of neutrons in the cores of neutron stars. The critical superfluid temperatures T _c are assumed to depend on the matter density. We study two types of neutron pairing with different components of the total angular momentum of a Cooper pair along the quantization axis (|m _J |=0 or 2). Our calculations are compared with the observations of thermal emission from isolated neutron stars. We show that the observations can be interpreted by using two classes of superfluidity models: (1) strong proton superfluidity with a maximum critical temperature in the stellar core T _c ^max ?4×10⁹ K and weak neutron superfluidity of any type (T _c ^max ?2×10⁸ K); (2) strong neutron superfluidity (pairing with m _J =0) and weak proton superfluidity. The two types of models reflect an approximate symmetry with respect to an interchange of the critical neutron and proton pairing temperatures.     

Analysis of HST ultraviolet spectra for T Tauri stars: DR Tau

We analyze the spectra of DR Tau in the wavelength range 1200 to 3100 Å obtained with the GHRS and STIS spectrographs from the Hubble Space Telescope. The profiles for the C IV 1550 and He II 1640 emission lines and for the absorption features of some lines indicate that matter falls to the star at a velocity ～300 km s^?1. At the same time, absorption features were detected in the blue wings of the N I, Mg I, Fe II, Mg II, C II, and Si II lines, suggesting mass outflow at a velocity up to 400 km s^?1. The C II, Si II, and Al II intercombination lines exhibit symmetric profiles whose peaks have the same radial velocity as the star. This is also true for the emission features of the Fe II and H₂ lines. We believe that stellar activity is attributable to disk accretion of circumstellar matter, with matter reaching the star mainly through the disk and the boundary layer. At the time of observations, the accretion luminosity was L_ac ? 2L_⊙ at an accretion rate ?10^?7M_⊙ yr^?1. Concurrently, a small (<10%) fraction of matter falls to the star along magnetospheric magnetic field lines from a height ～R_*. Within a region of size ?3.5R_*, the disk atmosphere has a thickness ～0.1R_* and a temperature ?1.5 × 10⁴ K. We assume that disk rotation in this region significantly differs from Keplerian rotation. The molecular hydrogen lines are formed in the disk at a distance <1.4 AU from the star. Accretion is accompanied by mass outflow from the accretion-disk surface. In a region of size <10R_*, the wind gas has a temperature ～7000 K, but at the same time, almost all iron is singly ionized by H I L _α photons from inner disk regions. Where the warm-wind velocity reaches ?400 km s^?1, the gas moves at an angle of no less than 30° to the disk plane. We found no evidence of regions with a temperature above 10⁴ K in the wind and leave open the question of whether there is outflow in the H₂ line formation region. According to our estimate, the star has the following set of parameters: M_* ? 0.9M_⊙, R_* ? 1.8R_⊙, L_* ? 0.9L_⊙, and \(A_V \simeq 0\mathop .\limits^m 9\). The inclination i of the disk axis to the line of sight cannot be very small; however, i≤60°.     

Variability and rapid evolution of the protoplanetary object IRAS 18062+2410=V886 her

We present our long-term photometric and spectroscopic observations of a high-latitude B supergiant with an infrared excess—the protoplanetary nebula IRAS 18062+2410. OurU BV observations in 2000–2006 have confirmed the rapid irregular photometric variability of the star with a maximum amplitude as high as 0 _. ^m 4 in V that we found previously. The B—V and U—B color indices vary with amplitudes as high as 0 _. ^m 10 and 0 _. ^m 25, respectively, and show no clear correlation with the brightness. Our V-band CCD observations on 11 nights in 2006 have revealed brightness trends during the night. The variability of IRAS18062+2410 is similar in pattern to the light variations in other hot post-AGB objects and some of the nuclei of young planetary nebulae. We assume that pulsations and a variable stellar wind can be responsible for the variability of these stars. In addition to the rapid variability, our 12-year-long observations have revealed a systematic decline in the mean brightness of IRAS 18062+2410. This may be related to a rise in the temperature of the star at constant luminosity as a result of its evolution. Low-resolution spectroscopic observations have shown a systematic increase in the equivalent widths of the Hα, Hβ, [NII]λ6584 Å, OI λ8446 Å, and [OII] λ7320–7330 Å emission lines. The changes in the star’s emission line spectrum are probably caused by an increase in the degree of ionization of the gas shell due to a rise in the temperature of the ionizing star. Our photometric and spectroscopic observations of IRAS 18062+2410 confirm the previously made assumptions that the star evolves very rapidly to the region of planetary nebulae.     

Interpretation of Solar Magnetic Field Strength Observations

This study based on longitudinal Zeeman effect magnetograms and spectral line scans investigates the dependence of solar surface magnetic fields on the spectral line used and the way the line is sampled to estimate the magnetic flux emerging above the solar atmosphere and penetrating to the corona from magnetograms of the Mt. Wilson 150-foot tower synoptic program (MWO). We have compared the synoptic program λ5250 Å line of Fe?i to the line of Fe?i at λ5233 Å since this latter line has a broad shape with a profile that is nearly linear over a large portion of its wings. The present study uses five pairs of sampling points on the λ5233 Å line. Line profile observations show that the determination of the field strength from the Stokes V parameter or from line bisectors in the circularly polarized line profiles lead to similar dependencies on the spectral sampling of the lines, with the bisector method being the less sensitive. We recommend adoption of the field determined with the line bisector method as the best estimate of the emergent photospheric flux and further recommend the use of a sampling point as close to the line core as is practical. The combination of the line profile measurements and the cross-correlation of fields measured simultaneously with λ5250 Å and λ5233 Å yields a formula for the scale factor δ ^?1 that multiplies the MWO synoptic magnetic fields. By using ρ as the center-to-limb angle (CLA), a fit to this scale factor is δ ^?1=4.15?2.82sin?²(ρ). Previously δ ^?1=4.5?2.5sin?²(ρ) had been used. The new calibration shows that magnetic fields measured by the MDI system on the SOHO spacecraft are equal to 0.619±0.018 times the true value at a center-to-limb position 30°. Berger and Lites (2003, Solar Phys. 213, 213) found this factor to be 0.64±0.013 based on a comparison using the Advanced Stokes Polarimeter.     

Photometric activity of the UX Ori star V1184 Tau in the optical and near-infrared spectral ranges

We present the results of our infrared JHK photometry for the unusual UX Ori star V1184 Tau. Comparison with previous observations performed before the catastrophic decline in its optical brightness in 2004 (when the star faded approximately by a factor of 100) has shown the following: the star faded approximately by 2 ^m and 1 ^m in the J and H bands, respectively, while its K brightness remained almost constant. This pattern of infrared variability seems incompatible with the mechanism of variable circumstellar extinction responsible for the dramatic decline in the star’s optical brightness. However, if this mechanism is considered in the context of an accretion disk model with a puffed-up inner rim in the dust sublimation zone and with a disk wind producing an expanding gas-dust atmosphere above the disk surface, then the paradox can be resolved. In this model, the photometric activity of V1184 Tau in both visible and near-infrared spectral ranges, including the sharp brightness decline in 2004, can be explained by an increase in the geometric thickness of the disk in the dust sublimation zone caused by enhanced accretion of circumstellar matter onto the star. There is reason to believe that such events occur periodically and result from the presence of a companion to V1184 Tau moving in a highly eccentric orbit. The offered interpretation of the photometric activity of V1184 Tau allows this object to be classified as an UX Ori star based on the observed photometric effect and, at the same time, as a FU Ori star based on the pattern of the physical process that produced this effect.     

Transient Magnetic and Doppler Features Related to the White-Light Flares in NOAA 10486

Rapidly moving transient features have been detected in magnetic and Doppler images of super-active region NOAA 10486 during the X17/4B flare of 28 October 2003 and the X10/2B flare of 29 October 2003. Both these flares were extremely energetic white-light events. The transient features appeared during impulsive phases of the flares and moved with speeds ranging from 30 to 50 km?s^?1. These features were located near the previously reported compact acoustic (Donea and Lindsey, Astrophys. J. 630, 1168, 2005) and seismic sources (Zharkova and Zharkov, Astrophys. J. 664, 573, 2007). We examine the origin of these features and their relationship with various aspects of the flares, viz., hard X-ray emission sources and flare kernels observed at different layers: i) photosphere (white-light continuum), ii) chromosphere (Hα 6563 Å), iii) temperature minimum region (UV 1600 Å), and iv) transition region (UV 284 Å).     

Atlas of spectra of selected stars in ground-based ultraviolet

We present an atlas of spectra of high signal-to-noise ratio and high spectral resolution (R ≥ 60000) in a poorly studied short-wavelength region up to 3055 Å. The spectra of well-studied stars of close temperatures (β Ori, α Lyr and α Cyg) are compared with the spectrum of a low-metallicity A-type supergiant KSPer, the atmosphere of which is poor in hydrogen, H/He = 3 × 10^?5.We study the velocity field in the expanding atmospheres and envelopes of these stars. A complete atlas and detailed identification of spectral features are available in the Internet.     

Independent estimate of the interstellar extinction toward FU Ori

Speckle-interferometric observations of FU Ori are performed with the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory with 600/40 nm and 800/100 nm (central bandwidth/halfwidth) filters. The companion star FU Ori S that was recently discovered at λ >-1.25µm was recorded in observations with the λ/Δλ==800/100 nm filter. The positional parameters and magnitude difference of the companion in the filter considered are found to be θ = (163.9 ± 1.0)°, ρ = (0.493 ± 0.007)″, Δm = 3.96 ± 0.28. An analysis of the spectral energy distribution of the companion implies that for the extinction A _V toward FU Ori to be greater than about 1.6 ^m , i.e., the minimum value required by the available models of the fuor, the spectral type of the companion star must be no later than K3. The reliability of this conclusion and the possible ways for obtaining more accurate estimates of A _V are discussed.     

Symbiotic halo star LT Del: Phase variations of the emission spectrum and parameters of the cool component

Long-term photometric and spectroscopic observations of the yellow symbiotic star LT Del are analyzed. UBV light curves are presented. Based on the observations of 20 cycles, we have refined the orbital period of the star, P = 476 _· ^d 0 ± 1 _· ^d 0. The brightness has been found to be unstable at some orbital phases with an amplitude up to 0 _· ^m 3. We have measured the fluxes in hydrogen and helium emission lines and in continuum and investigated their relationship to the orbital period. The fluxes in hydrogen and HeI lines follow the UBV light curves in phase; the He II 4686 Å flux does not depend on the phase and is constant within the accuracy of our measurements. The intensity ratio of the 4686 Å andHβ lines changes from 0.2 to 0.9 over the period. We interpret the spectroscopic observations based on the hypothesis of heating and ionization of the stellar wind from a cool component by high-frequency radiation from a hot star with a temperature of 105 K. We have estimated the spectral type of the cool star from our photometry and its continuum energy distribution as a bright K2–4 red giant branch halo star. The bolometric luminosity and mass loss rate have been estimated for the K component to be L _bol ～ 700L _⊙ and \(\dot{M}\) ～ 10^?8 M _⊙ yr^?1, respectively.     

Pre-and post-outburst parameters for the components of the symbiotic star V1329 Cyg

We present new UB V observations of the symbiotic nova V 1329 Cyg. Based on all our UB V observations of a uniform system, we redetermined the orbital period of the binary and estimated the magnitudes and luminosities of its components. We show that the pre-outburst visual luminosities of the red giant and the hot star were almost equal and that the rapid irregular photographic variability of the star was caused by the nonstationary behavior of the hot component. The outburst amplitude of the hot component (subdwarf) in 1964 was found to be ～2^m in the V band, which is typical of ordinary symbiotic stars. We estimated the continuum luminosity of the gaseous component that appeared after the outburst. In the V band, it was almost 1^m fainter than the flared hot star. Structurally, the gaseous component is an ionized gaseous disk comparable in size to an M giant.     

Short-Term H <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis> Line Variations in Classical Be Stars: 59 Cyg and OT Gem

We present the optical spectroscopic study of two classical Be stars, 59 Cyg and OT Gem obtained over a period of few months in 2009. We detected a rare triple-peak H α emission phase in 59 Cyg and a rapid decrease in the emission strength of H α in OT Gem, which are used to understand their circumstellar disks. We find that 59 Cyg is likely to be rapid rotator, rotating at a fractional critical rotation of ～0.80. The radius of the H α emission region for 59 Cyg is estimated to be R _d/R _? ～ 10.0, assuming a Keplerian disk, suggesting that it has a large disk. We classify stars which have shown triple-peaks into two groups and find that the triple-peak emission in 59 Cyg is similar to ζ Tau. OT Gem is found to have a fractional critical rotation of ～0.30, suggesting that it is either a slow rotator or viewed in low inclination. In OT Gem, we observed a large reduction in the radius of the H α emission region from ～6.9 to ～1.7 in a period of three months, along with the reduction in the emission strength. Our observations suggest that the disk is lost from outside to inside during this disk loss phase in OT Gem.     

Radial pulsations of helium stars with masses from 10 to 50<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>⊙</Subscript>

We have performed hydrodynamic calculations of the radial pulsations of helium stars with masses 10M_⊙ ≤ M ≤ 50M_⊙, luminosity-to-mass ratios 5 × 10³L_⊙/M_⊙ ≤ L/M ≤ 2.5 × 10⁴L_⊙/M_⊙, and effective temperatures 2 × 10⁴ K ≤ T_eff ≤ 10⁵ K for helium and heavy-element mass fractions of Y=0.98 and Z=0.02, respectively. We show that the high-temperature boundary of the instability region for radial pulsations at L/M ? 10⁴L_⊙/M_⊙ extends to T_eff≈10⁵ K. The amplitude of the velocity variations for outer layers is several hundred km s^?1, while the brightness variations in the B band of the UBV photometric system are within the range from several hundredths to half a magnitude. At constant luminosity-to-mass ratio, the radial pulsation period is determined only by the effective temperature of the star. In the ranges of luminosity-to-mass ratios 10⁴L_⊙/M_⊙ ≤ L/M ≤ 2 × 10⁴L_⊙/M_⊙ and effective temperatures 5 × 10⁴ K ≤ T_eff ≤ 9 × 10⁴ K, the periods of the radial modes are within 6 min ?Π?10³ min.     

Synchronous <Emphasis Type="Italic">UBVR</Emphasis> photometry and spectroscopy of DI Cephei

We present our synchronous spectroscopy and photometry of DI Cep, a classical T Tauri star. The equivalent widths and radial velocities of the individual components and Hα, Hβ, D1 and D2 Na I, and HeI λ5876 Å emission line profiles exhibit variability. We have found a clear positive correlation between the brightness and equivalent width for the Hα and Hβ emission lines. The photometric and spectroscopic data are satisfactorily described in phases of a 9-day period. The expected magnetic field of the star has been estimated using existing magnetospheric models to be 655–1000 G. The star is suspected to be a binary.     

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.