Expansions of (r/a)m cos jv and (r/a)m sin jv to high eccentricities

Expansions of the functions (r/a)^cos jv and (r/a)m ^sin jv of the elliptic motion are extended to highly eccentric orbits, 0.6627 ... <e<1. The new expansions are developed in powers of (e–e*), wheree* is a fixed value of the eccentricity. The coefficients of these expansions are expressed in terms of the derivatives of Hansen's coefficients with respect to the eccentricity. The new expansions are convergent for values of the eccentricity such that |e–e*|<(e*), where the radius of convergence (e*) is the same of the extended solution of Kepler's equation. The new expansions are intrinsically related to Lagrange's series.     

Elemental abundance analyses with DAO spectrograms: XXXIII. β UMa (A0mA1 IV‐V), α Dra (A0 III), π Dra (A2 IIIs), and κ Cep (B9 III)

This paper presents extended analyses of β UMa (A0mA1 IV‐V), α Dra (A0 III), π Dra (A2 IIIs), and κ Cep (B9 III) which have previously been studied in this series. α Dra is a metal‐poor star while κ Cep has solar abundances. Both β UMa and π Dra are Am stars. Whenever possible, more accurate and precise gf values replace older values. High S/N (200+) and high dispersion Dominion Astrophysical Observatory spectrograms to the red of previously obtained spectra supplement the observations. The derived rotational velocities are 45, 25, 26, and 23 km s^–1, respectively. These LTE fine analyses use the ATLAS9 and the WIDTH9 programs of R. L. Kurucz. The results of the extended and the previous analyses are in good agreement. Thus in the past decade a significant improvement in the system of gf values has not been achieved although for many lines there have been changes. The use of additional regions has increased the quality of some results (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

(E,r, α, β) summability in the hyperbolic two-body problem

An (E, R, , ) summation method is a summability procedure which can be used for purposes of analytic continuation. In this paper the solutions of the hyperbolic two-body problem are used as a test case for the methods (E, r, 0, 1) and (E, r, 0, 2) and effective continuation of the solutions is obtained     

Elemental abundance analyses with DAO spectrograms: XXXII. HR 6455 (A3 III), δ Aqr (A3 V), η Lep (F2 V), and 1 Boo (A1 V)

We examine the sharp‐lined stars HR 6455 (A3 III, v sin i = 8.7 km s^–1) and η Lep (F2 V, v sin i = 13.5 km s^–1) as well as δ Aqr (A3 V, v sin i = 81 km s^–1) and 1 Boo (A1 V, v sin i = 59 km s^–1) to increase the number consistently analyzed A and F stars using high dispersion and high S/N (≥200) spectrograms obtained with CCD detectors at the long Coudé camera of the 1.22‐m telescope of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory. Such studies contribute to understanding systematic abundance differences between normal and non‐magnetic main‐sequence band chemically peculiar A and early F stars. LTE fine analyses of HR 6455, δ Aqr, and 1 Boo using Kurucz's ATLAS suite programs show the same general elemental abundance trends with differences in the metal richness. Light and iron‐peak element abundances are generally solar or overabundant while heavy element and rare earth element abundances are overabundant. HR 6455 is an evolved Am star while δ Aqr and 1 Boo show the phenomenon to different extents. Most derived abundances of η Lep are solar (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Comparisons of u ‐, g ‐, r ‐, i ‐, and z ‐band luminosity distributions between galaxy members of compact groups and isolated galaxies

To investigate the environmental dependence of u ‐, g ‐, r ‐, i ‐, and z ‐band luminosities, we perform comparative studies of luminosity distributions between galaxy members of compact groups (CGs) and isolated galaxies. It is found that for the r, i, and z bands isolated galaxies have a higher proportion of faint galaxies and a lower proportion of luminous galaxies than galaxy members of CGs, but for the u band an opposite trend is observed. The correlation between the g ‐band luminosity and the environment has different trends in different luminosity regions (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Elemental abundance analyses with DAO spectrograms: XXX. The middle B through early A stars ξ2 Ceti (B9 III), 21 Aquilae (B8 II‐III), ι Aquilae (B5 III), and ι Delphini (A2V)

This series of high quality elemental abundance analyses of mostly main‐sequence band normal and peculiar B, A, and F stars defines their properties and provides data for the comparison with the analyses of somewhat similar stars and with theoretical predictions. Most use high dispersion and high S/N (≥ 200) spectrograms obtained with CCD detectors at the long camera of the Coudé spectrograph of the 1.22‐m Dominion Astrophysical Observatory telescope. Here we reanalyze 21 Aql with better quality spectra and increase the number of stars consistently analyzed in the spectral range B5 to A2 by analyzing three new stars for this series. In the early A stars the normal and non‐mCP stars have abundances with overlapping ranges. But more stars are needed especially in the B5 to B9 range. ξ² Cet on average has a solar composition with a few abundances outside the solar range while both 21 Aql and ι Aql have abundances marginally less than solar. The abundances of ι Del are greater than solar with a few elements such as Ca being less than solar. It is an Am star (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Parallel Proton Heating in Solar Wind Using Generalized (r, q) Distribution Function

Kinetic theory is used to calculate the power dissipated by obliquely propagating Alfvén waves to heat the solar wind protons, using the Generalized (r, q) distribution function. The evolution of power dissipation of protons with increasing heliocentric distance is subsequently determined. Comparison between theoretical and observational results with data shows good agreement, especially for the slow solar wind streams. Previous results where a Maxwellian distribution function was used to calculate the power dissipated did not match well with observations.     

Orbite de L'Étoile Burnham 1164 – ADS 1156 B–765 (95 Piscium)

The physical and orbital elements of the binary star ADS 1156 = B 1164 (α₁₉₀₀ = 01^h 22^m.0, δ₁₉₀₀ = + 04°50′) are determined. The absolute visual magnitudes of the two components are 3^m.72 resp. 3^m.97, the masses 1.43 M⊙ resp. 1.33 M⊙.     

Comparison of the four catalogues by pairs,the Hipparcos,new Hipparcos,EOC‐2 and IL,by using μδ for the common 1120 stars

We present comparison results of our Independent Latitude (IL) catalogue of μ_δ determinations for 1120 bright stars with the Hipparcos, new Hipparcos and Earth Orientation Catalogue (EOC‐2) values. Also, we took into consideration the EOC3 and EOC4 (recent versions of EOC catalogues). Our μ_δ values are based on zenith telescope observations from seven Independent Latitude (IL) observatories. The IL measures are spanning a time baseline of up to 90 years which is the key advantage to the accurate determination of μ_δ. The short interval of the Hipparcos satellite observations is a disadvantage for a good accuracy of stellar proper motion, especially in the case of double and multiple stars. For this reason many astrometric catalogues have appeared after the publication of the Hipparcos including our IL catalogue. These catalogues are an appropriate combination of the Hipparcos satellite and ground‐based data which yields more accurate stellar coordinates and/or their proper motions. Among various types of ground‐based observations the latitude and universal time variations obtained from several million observations of stars reduced to the Hipparcos reference system were used for this purpose. These observations were obtained during almost the entire last century and were originally used to determine the Earth Orientation Parameters. It is also possible to use these data in the inverse task of checking the accuracy of stellar coordinates and/or their proper motions listed in the Hipparcos Catalogue. Such latitude and universal time variations data are the basis of the EOC and IL catalogues. In this paper, we computed the differences in μ_δ values between pairs of catalogues and analyzed the results to characterize the μ_δ errors for the four catalogues with a special focus on our IL catalogue. The standard errors of μ_δ for IL stars observed over more than 20 years are mostly smaller than or equal to the Hipparcos errors, and close to the accuracy level of the EOC‐2 (EOC‐3, EOC‐4) and the new Hipparcos. The resulting investigations of errors of differences of μ_δ, show that all four catalogues have relatively small random and systematic errors which are close to each other meaning that the corresponding μ_δ values have a high accuracy. Our sample also contains detected double and multiple stars for which the effects of the orbital and proper motions are difficult to separate. The differences of μ_δ values for these stars generally exceed those obtained for single stars. Also, these discrepancies could be attributed to effect of possible, still unrecognized, astrometric binaries. These investigations about the proper motions and double stars are in line with the activity of the IAU Working Group on Astrometry by Small Ground‐Based Telescopes. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Determination of Libration Characteristics of Asteroids near Mean Motion Commensurabilities 1/1, 4/3, 3/2, 2/1, 7/3, 5/2, and 3/1

The possibility of using a generalized perfect resonance for the study of libration motions of asteroids near the (p+ q)/p-type commensurabilities of the mean motions of asteroids and Jupiter is considered. Based on the equations of the planar circular restricted three-body problem, the libration-motion equations are derived and their solutions for the intermediate Hamiltonian, as well as a solution taking into account perturbations of the order O(m ^3/2), are determined.     

Rapidly rotating α2-dynamo models

Es werden die Ergebnisse numerischer Untersuchungen von α²-Dynamo-Modellen vorgestellt, welche sich auf einen α-Tensor der Gestalt (δ_im + α₃Ω_iΩ_m/Ω²). ( gΩ ) beziehen. Dieser Tensor liefert für α₃ = – 1 den für sehr schnelle Rotation, ω >_c, gültigen Ausdruck, wobei wir aber die zum Vergleich heranzuziehenden Frequenzen ω_c der α-aktiven Turbulenz für die einzelen Himmelskörper nicht kennen. Unsere Ergebnisse weisen der nichtaxial-aber äquatorsymmetrischen S1-Mode, für die ein in der Äquatorebene liegender magnetischer Dipol ein Beispiel darstellt, eine besondere Bedeutung zu, weil sich der zugehörige Eigenwert für α₃ = o … – 1 kaum ändert, während die Eigenwerte der anderen Doden stark anwachsen. Bei Einbeziehung der (auch beobachteten) nichtaxialsymmetrischen Moden findet man daher keine bedeutsamen Unterschiede in der Fähigkeit zur Dynamoerregung zwischen langsam und schnell rotierenden Sternen. Bemerkenswerterweise zeigen alle untersuchten nichtaxialsymmetrischen Magnetfelder ein westwärts gerichtete Driftbewegung.     

Optical‐NIR spectra of quasars close to reionization (z ∼ 6)

X‐shooter, with its characteristics of resolution, spectral coverage and efficiency, provides a unique opportunity to obtain spectra of the highest‐redshift quasars (z ∼ 6) that will allow us to carry out successful investigations on key cosmological issues, from the details of the re‐ionization process, to the evolution of the first galaxies and AGNs. In this paper, we present the spectra of three z ∼ 6 quasars: one obtained during the commissioning of X‐shooter and two in the context of our ongoing GTO programme. Combining this sample with data in the literature, we update the value of the C IV cosmic mass density in the range 4.5 ≤ z ≤ 5, confirming the constant trend with redshift between 2.5 and 5 (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Elemental abundance analyses with DAO spectrograms: XXXI. The early F supergiants ν Her (F2 II) and 41 Cyg (F5 Ib‐II)

This series of high quality elemental abundance analyses of mostly Main Sequence normal and peculiar B, A, and F stars defines their properties and provides data for the comparison with analyses of somewhat similar stars and with theoretical predictions. Most use high dispersion and high S/N (≥ 200) spectrograms obtained with CCD detectors at the long camera of the 1.22‐m Dominion Astrophysical Observatory telescope's coudé spectrograph. Here we expand the range of stars examined to include two relatively quiescent F supergiants. ν Her (F2 II) and 41 Cyg (F5 Ib‐II) are analyzed as consistently as possible with previous studies. These LTE fine analyses use the ATLAS9 and the WIDTH9 programs of R. L. Kurucz. High signal‐to‐noise spectrograms and high quality atomic data were employed. The derived values of these photometrically constant stars are somewhat different with the abundances of ν Her being somewhat metal‐poor and those of 41 Cyg being crudely solar‐like. Our analyses indicate that the basic results of Luck & Wepfer (1995) who also studied ν Her and 41 Cyg are not likely to be significantly changed by new studies of all their stars. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A near‐infrared/optical/X‐ray survey in the centre of σ Orionis

Because of the intense brightness of the OB‐type multiple star system σ Ori, the low‐mass stellar and substellar populations close to the centre of the very young σ Orionis cluster is poorly know. I present an IJHK_s survey in the cluster centre, able to detect from the massive early‐type stars down to cluster members below the deuterium burning mass limit. The near‐infrared and optical data have been complemented with X‐ray imaging. Ten objects have been found for the first time to display high‐energy emission. Previously known stars with clear spectroscopic youth indicators and/or X‐ray emission define a clear sequence in the I vs. I – K_s diagram. I have found six new candidate cluster members that follow this sequence. One of them, in the magnitude interval of the brown dwarfs in the cluster, displays X‐ray emission and a very red J – K_s colour, indicative of a disc. Other three low‐mass stars have excesses in the K_s band as well. The frequency of X‐ray emitters in the area is 80±20 %. The spatial density of stars is very high, of up to 1.6±0.1 arcmin^–2. There is no indication of lower abundance of substellar objects in the cluster centre. Finally, I also report two cluster stars with X‐ray emission located at only 8000–11000 AU to σ Ori AB, two sources with peculiar colours and an object with X‐ray emission and near‐infrared magnitudes similar to those of previously‐known substellar objects in the cluster. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Visual and photoelectric measurements of the solar diameter (1972‐2002): Methods and results

Measurements of the solar diameter using both visual and photoelectric drift scan techniques have been made since 1972 using two almost identical 45‐cm Gregory‐Coudé telescopes at Locarno/Switzerland and Izaña/Tenerife. The method, in which a time measurement substitutes an angular measurement, is especially suited to obtain about 30 measurements of the absolute solar semidiameter per day. During the years 1972–2002 a total of 10996 visual timing measurements have been made on 320 observing days, an additional 1373 photoelectric recordings have been obtained on 117 observing days. The data were used to study the long‐term behaviour of the solar semidiameter R at unit distance and its possible variations. No fluctuations dR in excess of about ±0.05″ have been found, neither long‐term nor short‐term. The photoelectric semidiameter, which refers to the continuum at λ ≈ 585 nm, is Rphot = (959.89 ± 0.12)″. The visual semidiameter, which refers to the footpoint of the limb intensity profile at λ ≈ 550 nm, is Rvis = (960.62 ± 0.02)″.     

A Carnian 40Ar/39Ar age for the Paasselkä impact structure (SE Finland)—An update

A recrystallized band of pale feldspathic impact melt in a gneissic impact breccia from the approximately 10 km Paasselkä impact structure in southeast Finland was dated via ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar step‐heating. The newly obtained plateau age of 228.7 ± 1.8 (2.2) Ma (2σ) (MSWD = 0.32; p = 0.93) is equal to the previously published pseudoplateau age of 228.7 ± 3.0 (3.4) (2σ) for the impact event. According to the current international chronostratigraphic chart and using the most recent published suggestions for the K decay constants, a Carnian (Late Triassic) age for the Paasselkä impact structure of 231.0 ± 1.8 (2.2) Ma (2σ) is calculated and considered the most precise and accurate age for this impact structure. The new plateau age for Paasselkä confirms the previous dating result but is, based on its internal statistics, much more compelling.     

Diffuse interstellar bands — an observational review (Review)

Es wird eine Übersicht über Beobachtungsergebnisse hinsichtlich der unidentifizierten diffusen interstellaren Banden (DIB) gegeben. Mit hohem S/A-Verhältnis aufgenommene Spektren erlaubten die Einteilung der DIB in mindestens drei Familien. Ferner konnten Profile der in einer einzelnen interstellaren Wolke entstehenden Linien abgeleitet werden. Die bei weit entfernten Sternen auftretenden DIB lassen eindeutige Doppler-Strukturen erkennen. Die DIB könnten in Wolken geringer Opazität entstehen, wobei der (die) Absorber in dem Fall widerstandsfähig gegen UV-Strahlung sein müßte(n). Der (die) Absorber scheint (scheinen) nicht mit dem die visuelle Extinktion verursachenden Staub identisch zu sein. Beziehungen zwischen den DIB und anderen Größen, die die interstellare Extinktion charakterisieren, werden zusammengestellt.     

X-ray emission – an ageing effect of galaxy clusters (Mitteilungen der Universitäts-Sternwarte zu Jena Nr. 145)

Die Röntgenleuchtkraft L_X und -temperatur T_X von Galaxienhaufen wurden zu dem dynamischen Entwicklungsparameter W in Beziehung gesetzt, den VON HOERNER (1976) eingeführt hat. Offensichtlich ist Röntgenstrahlung eine Alterserscheinung der Galaxienhaufen.     

Classical Cepheids in the Galactic outer ring R1R ′2

The kinematics and distribution of classical Cepheids within ∼3 kpc from the Sun suggest the existence of the outer ring R₁R ′₂ in the Galaxy. The optimum value of the solar position angle with respect to the major axis of the bar, θ_b, providing the best agreement between the distribution of Cepheids and model particles, is θ_b = 37° ±13°. The kinematical features obtained for Cepheids with negative galactocentric radial velocity V_R are consistent with the solar location near the descending segment of the outer ring R₂. The sharp rise of extinction toward of the Galactic center can be explained by the presence of the outer ring R₁ near the Sun. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

THE MILLS,NEW MEXICO,CHONDRITE — A NEW FIND

A mineralogical and chemical analysis has been performed on a slice of the Mills, New Mexico, chondrite, which was found in August 1970. The mineralogical composition is olivine Fa_19.5, bronzite, Fs_17.4, plagioclase, nickel-iron, troilite and ilmenite. The chemical analysis confirms that Mills is a typical bronzite, H5 chondrite, with considerable degree of weathering, as indicated by the presence of large amounts of Fe₂O₃. A comparison with other stones found in the same New Mexico region by Nininger may show a possible relation between Mills and previous finds.