Infrared Study of T Tauri Stars Based on IRAS and 2MASS Observations

The IRAS and 2MASS associations for 193 T Tauri stars are identified in this paper. From the color–color diagrams and spectral index, it is found that the IR excesses for most samples are due to thermal emission from the circumstellar material, as suggested previously. It is also found that the IR excesses at IRAS region for few T Tauri stars and the near-IR excesses for some T Tauri stars are likely attributed to free-free emission or free-bound emission from the circumstellar ionized gas. Moreover, It is found in deredened J–H versus H–K color–color diagram that there is a slight separation in different spectral groups. The T Tauri stars locus equation in J–H versus H–K color–color diagram for our sample is also presented.     

Study of the HII regions in the spiral galaxy NGC6384

The galaxy NGC6384 has been observed with an IPCS through Hα and [NII] narrow-band interference filters for direct imagery with the 2.6-m Byurakan telescope. We studied the main physical parameters of the identified 98 HII regions, their diameter and luminosity functions, as well the [NII]/Hα ratio distribution. The integrated distribution function of the HII region diameters can be well fitted by the exponential function. The characteristic diameter has the value (Do = 217 pc) predicted for a galaxy of its measured luminosity. The luminosity function of HII regions has a double power law profile with relatively shallow slope at low luminosities (α = −0.4), an abrupt turnover at logL(Hα) ≈ 38.75, and sharper slope at higher luminosities (α = −2.3). The correlation between the luminosity and diameter of HII regions confirms that in general they are constant density, radiation-bound systems. [NII]/Hα ratio data for the HII regions show that there is a negative radial gradient of [NII]/Hα. In the central region of the galaxy, nitrogen abundance is higher than in the periphery. The properties of the HII region population of this AGN galaxy do not differ significantly from the properties of the HII region population of the “normal” galaxies. Reexamining the location of the type Ia SN 1971L in the galaxy, we confirm that it lies on the spiral arm at about 8″.6 far from the closest HII region N 53 (F81). Such a location can be taken as proof that the progenitor of this SN does not belong to an old, evolved stellar population. Published in Astrofizika, Vol. 50, No. 4, pp. 519–533 (November 2007).     

Hα Photometry of Two Contact Binaries

We carried out optical and Hα photometry of two contact binaries (V861 Herculis, EQ Tauri). The light curve modeling revealed stellar spots in both contact systems and strong Hα excess in the position of the observed stellar spots. A correlation was found between the V−R and R−H_α colour indices of V861 Her.     

The Evolution of Star-Forming Galaxies: The SFR Density of the Universe

The evolution of the Star Formation Rate (SFR) density of the Universe as a function of look-back time is a fundamental parameter in order to understand the formation and evolution of galaxies. The current picture, only outlined in the last years, is that the global SFR density has dropped by about an order of magnitude from a redshift of z∼1.5 to the current value at z=0. Because these SFR density studies are now extended to the whole range in redshift, it becomes mandatory to combine data from different SFR tracers. At low redshifts, optical emission lines are the most widely used. Using Hα as current-SFR tracer, the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) Survey provided the first estimation of the global SFR density in the Local Universe. The Hα flux in emission is directly related to the number of ionizing photons and, modulo IMF, to the total mass of stars formed. Metallic lines like [OII]λ3727 and [OIII]λ5007 are affected by metallicity and excitation. Beyond redshifts z∼0.4, Hα is not observable in the optical and [OII]λ3727 or UV luminosities have to be used. The UCM galaxy sample has been used to obtain a calibration between [OII]λ3727 luminosity and SFR specially suitable for the different types of star-forming galaxies found by deep spectroscopic surveys in redshifts up to z∼1.5. These calibrations, when applied to recent deep redshift surveys confirm the drop of the SFR density of the Universe since z∼1 previously infered in the UV. However, the fundamental parameter that determines galactic evolution is mass, not luminosity. The mass function for local star-forming galaxies is critical for any future comparison with other galaxy populations of different evolutionary status. Hα velocity-widths for UCM galaxies indicate that besides a small fraction of 10¹⁰-10¹¹ M_⊙ starburst nuclei spirals, the majority have dynamical masses in the ∼10⁹ M_⊙ range. A comparison with published data for faint blue galaxies suggests that star-forming galaxies at z∼1 would have SFR per unit mass and burst strengths similar to those at z=0, but being intrinsically more massive. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Hα Luminosity Functions of Nearby Clusters of Galaxies

We present a deep wide field Hα imaging survey of the central regions of the two nearby clusters of galaxies Coma and Abell 1367, taken with the WFC at the INT 2.5m telescope. We determine for the first time the Schechter parameters of the Hα luminosity function (LF) of cluster galaxies. The Hα LFs of Abell 1367 and Coma are compared with each other. Typical parameters of φ ≈ 10^0.00±0.07 Mpc^-3, L ^*≈ 10^41.25±0.05 erg sec^-1 and α ≈ -0.70±0.10 are found for both clusters. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Tidal dwarf galaxies in the Stephan's Quintet?

We present kinematics and photometric evidence for the presence of seven candidate tidal dwarf galaxies in Stephan's Quintet. The central regions of the two most probable parent galaxies, NGC 7319 and NGC 7318B, contain little or no gas whereas the intragroup medium and, in particular, the optical tails that seem to be associated with NGC 7318B are rich in cold and ionized gas. Two tidal dwarf candidates may be located at the edge of a tidal tail, another located within a tail, and for the four others there is no obvious stellar/gaseous bridge between them and the parent galaxy. Two of the candidates are associated with H I clouds, one of which is, in addition, associated with a CO cloud. All seven regions have low continuum fluxes and high Hα luminosity densities [F(Hα) = (1-60) × 10-14 ergs s^-1 cm^-2]. Their magnitudes (M_B = –16.1 to –12.6), sizes (∼ 3.5 h₇₅ ^-1 kpc), colors (typically B – R = 0.7), and gas velocity gradients (∼ 8 –26 h₇₅ km s^-1 kpc^-1) are typical for tidal dwarf galaxies. In addition, the ratios between their star formation rates determined from Hα and from the B-band luminosity are typical of other tidal dwarf galaxies. The masses of the tidal dwarf galaxies in Stephan's Quintet range from ∼ 2 × 10⁸ to 10¹⁰ M_⊙, and the median value for their inferred mass-to-light ratios is 7 (M/L)_⊙. At least two of the systems may survive possible ‘fallbacks’ or disruption by the parent galaxies and may already be, or turn into, self-gravitating dwarf galaxies, new members of the group. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Survey of hα emission from thirty nearby dwarf galaxies

Measurements of the Hα flux from 30 neighboring dwarf galaxies are presented. After correction for absorption, these fluxes are used to estimate the star formation rate (SFR). The SFR for 18 of the galaxies according to the Hα emission are compared with estimates of the SFR from FUV magnitudes obtained with the GALEX telescope. These are in good agreement over the range log[SFR] = [ −3, 0] M_⨀ /year.     

The Shape of the Blue/UV Continuum of B3-VLA Radio Quasars

We present some results based on optical photometry of an unbiased subsample of 64 sources, from a sample of radio quasars 80 per cent complete. The quasars (z=0.4-2.8) show approximately a similar spectral energy distribution (SED). Only two quasars appear clearly differenciated, exhibiting redder colours than the rest, and they have low or moderate redshifts (z=0.50 and 1.12). Composite broad-band spectra for the remaining 62 quasars reveal the presence of a break in the SED at ∼ 3000 Å, where the average slope α (defined by S_ν ∝ ν^α) changes from α_blue=0.11±0.16 at λ>3000 Å to α_UV=-0.66±0.15 at λ<3000 Å. Composite spectra from a low and a high redshift subsample, with the redshift separation at the median value z=1.2, yields α_UV=-0.87±0.20, for z<1.2 and α_UV=-0.48±0.12 for z>1.2 and the difference is 98 per cent significant. This trend could be intrinsic or could arise from a dependence between α_UV and the blue/UV luminosity, since the three quantities α_UV - L_blue/UV - z are correlated. Finally, an intrinsic correlation is found between blue/UV and radio luminosity. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Two new LBV candidates in the M 33 galaxy

We present two new luminous blue variable (LBV) candidate stars discovered in the M33 galaxy. We identified these stars as massive star candidates at the final stages of evolution, presumably with a notable interstellar extinction. The candidates were selected from the Massey et al. catalog based on the following criteria: emission in H _α , V<18^./m 5 and 0_.^m 35 < (B - V) < 1_.^m 2. The spectra of both stars reveal a broad and strong H _α emission with extended wings (770 and 1000 kms⁻¹). Based on the spectra we estimated the main parameters of the stars. Object N45901 has a bolometric luminosity log(L/L_⊙) = 6.0–6.2 with the value of interstellar extinction A _V = 2.3 ± 0.1. The temperature of the star’s photosphere is estimated as T⋆ ∼ 13000–15000 K, its probable mass on the Zero Age Main Sequence is M∼ 60–80 M_⊙. The infrared excess in N 45901 corresponds to the emission of warm dust with the temperature Twarm ∼ 1000 K, and amounts to 0.1%of the bolometric luminosity. A comparison of stellar magnitude estimates from different catalogs points to the probable variability of the object N45901. Bolometric luminosity of the second object, N125093, is log(L/L_⊙) = 6.3 − 6.6, the value of interstellar extinction is A _V = 2.75 ± 0.15. We estimate its photosphere’s temperature as T⋆∼ 13000–16000K, the initial mass as M ∼ 90–120 M_⊙. The infrared excess in N125093 amounts to 5–6% of the bolometric luminosity. Its spectral energy distribution reveals two thermal components with the temperatures T_warm ∼ 1000K and T_cold ∼ 480 K. The [Ca II] λλ7291, 7323 lines, observed in LBV-like stars Var A and N93351 in M33 are also present in the spectrum of N 125093. These lines indicate relatively recent gas eruptions and dust activity linked with them. High bolometric luminosity of these stars and broad H α emissions allow classifying the studied objects as LBV candidates.     

B and Be-stars in the young open stellar clusters NGC 659 and NGC 7419

The populations of B and Be-stars in the young open clusters NGC 7419 and NGC 659 are studied. Lowresolution spectral observations in the region of the Hα line are used to study 34 members of NGC 7419 and additional spectra in the range λ3700-6200 ? are obtained for 12 stars. During the period of our observations, four previously identified Be-stars manifested an absorption profile for the Hα line. Emission in the Hα line is observed in the spectra of 21 objects. The members of the cluster NGC 7419 are classified as to spectral type. The position of the Be-stars on a two-color IR diagram and a comparison with the position of the objects in other clusters with similar ages cast doubt on the existence of two starformation waves. Moderate resolution spectra were obtained for 22 stars in the cluster NGC 659 over wavelengths of λ4050-5200 ? and for 7 objects in the neighborhood of the Hα line. Emission is observed in both the Hα and Hβ lines for two of the five Be-stars that were studied, while faint emission appears only in the Hα line in one of the stars. The other members of the cluster show no signs of emission in these spectra. T_eff, log g, and Vsini are estimated for the observed stars. It is found that 5 of the objects are not members of the cluster.     

Statistical results from a jcmt survey of MM and sub-MM emission in herbig ae/be stars

We have detected 1.1 mm continuum emission from 24 of 53 Herbig Ae/Be stars surveyed with the JCMT. Survival analysis shows that 1.1 mm luminosity is correlated with bolometric luminosity and with IRAS 25µm luminosity. For those stars that were also detected at 0.45 or 0.8 mm we find a typical flux dependence of the form S _#x03BD; ³, which is steeper than that of most classical T Tauri stars.     

Emission-line CCD imaging of three southern symbiotic stars

Symbiotic stars that are strong radio sources and have cool dust emitting in the infrared are expected to have extended emission nebulae around them. In order to search for such emission nebulae, we have carried out CCD imaging of three symbiotic stars (R Aqr, RR Tel and H1-36) with narrow-band filters centred at the emission lines of [O III] λ5007, Hα λ6563, [N II] λ6584, [S II] λ6717 + 6731. RR Tel and H1-36 images do not show any extended nebulosities around them. The CCD image of the R Aqr nebulosity in the high excitation [O m] line is different from its image in Hα and the low excitation lines of [N II] and [S II] indicating ionization-stratification in the nebula. In H1-36 the optical nebulosity (if it exists) is smaller than ∽2 arcsec while the radio image size is known to be large (∽5 arcsec). This behaviour is opposite to that seen in R Aqr in which the radio emission comes from the core region of a much larger optical nebulosity. Interstellar and/or circumstellar extinctions are suggested to be responsible for this difference     

Dust in the disk winds from young stars as a source of the circumstellar extinction

We consider the problem of dust grain survival in the disk winds from T Tauri and Herbig Ae stars. For our analysis, we have chosen a disk wind model in which the gas component of the wind is heated through ambipolar diffusion to a temperature of ～10⁴ K. We show that the heating of dust grains through their collisions with gas atoms is inefficient compared to their heating by stellar radiation and, hence, the grains survive even in the hot wind component. As a result, the disk wind can be opaque to the ultraviolet and optical stellar radiation and is capable of absorbing an appreciable fraction of it. Calculations show that the fraction of the wind-absorbed radiation for T Tauri stars can be from 20 to 40% of the total stellar luminosity at an accretion rate ? _a = 10^?8-10^?6 M _⊙yr^?1. This means that the disk winds from T Tauri stars can play the same role as the puffed-up inner rim in current accretion disk models. In Herbig Ae stars, the inner layers of the disk wind (r ≤ 0.5 AU) are dust-free, since the dust in this region sublimates under the effect of stellar radiation. Therefore, the fraction of the radiation absorbed by the disk wind in this case is considerably smaller and can be comparable to the effect from the puffed-up inner rim only at an accretion rate of the order of or higher than 10^?6 M _⊙yr^?1. Since the disk wind is structurally inhomogeneous, its optical depth toward the observer can be variable, which should be reflected in the photometric activity of young stars. For the same reason, moving shadows from gas and dust streams with a spiral-like shape can be observed in high-angular-resolution circumstellar disk images.     

Star formation in taurus

Data with the 2MASS prototype camera were obtained in a 2.3 sq. deg region in Taurus containing Heiles Cloud 2, a region known from IRAS observations to contain a number of very young solar type stars. Data at 1.25 (J), 1.65 (H), and 2.2 (K _s )µm are presented. These data are representative of the type and quality of data expected from the planned near-IR surveys, 2MASS and DENIS. Near-IR surveys will be useful for determining the large scale variation of extinction with clouds, for determining the luminosity function in nearby clouds down to ranges of 0.1–1.0 L, and for finding highly extincted T Tauri stars missed by IRAS because the bulk of their luminosity is emitted shortward of 12µm.     

Analysis of the properties of galaxy clusters in the Leo supercluster region

We analyze the properties of galaxy clusters in the region of the Leo supercluster using observational data from the SDSS and 2MASS catalogs. We have selected 14 galaxy clusters with a total dynamical mass of 1.77 × 10¹⁵ M _⊙ in the supercluster region 130 by 60 Mpc in the plane of the sky (z ≃ 0.037). The composite luminosity function of the supercluster is described by a Schechter function with parameters that, within the error limits, correspond to field galaxies and does not differ from the luminosity function of the richer Ursa Major (UMa) supercluster for the same luminosity range (the bright end). The luminosity functions of early-type and late-type galaxies in Leo at the faint end are characterized by a sharp decrease (α = −0.60±0.08) and a steep increase (α = −1.44± 0.10) in the number of galaxies, respectively. In the virialized cluster regions, the fraction of early-type galaxies selected by the u-r color, bulge contribution, and concentration index among the galaxies brighter than M _K ^* + 1 is, on average, 62%. This fraction is smaller than that in the UMa supercluster at a 2–3σ level. The near-infrared luminosities of galaxy clusters down to a fixed absolute magnitude correlate with their masses almost in the same way as for other samples of galaxy clusters (L _200,K ∝ M ₂₀₀^0.63±0.11)).     

Spectroscopic evolution of nova LW serpentis 1978 during its early decline

Optical spectroscopic data are presented on nova LW Serpentis 1978, obtained during its decline fromV 9.0 to ≃10.2 (compared to a value of ∼ 8.0 at recorded maximum). The spectrum and its evolution compare well with a typical nova, though the principal absorption (∼ −750 km s^−l) was very weak in comparison with the diffuse-enhanced absorption (∼ −1300 km s⁻¹). The principal absorption could be identified only in the lines of O I λλ7774, 8446, and in moderate-resolution observations of Hα. The salient features of spectral evolution follow: The near-infrared triplet of Ca n continuously weakened. O I λ8446 was always brighter than O I λ 7774, indicating continued importance of Lyman Β fluorescence. The lines due to [O I], [N II] and N n brightened considerably near the end of our observations (37 days from maximum). The Hα emission line was asymmetric all through with more emission towards the red. Its emission profile showed considerable structure. Based on the individual peaks in the Hα line profile, a kinematical model is proposed for the shell of LW Ser. The model consists of an equatorial ring, and a polar cone on the side away from the earth. The nearer polar cone did not show significant emission of Hα during our observations. The polar axis of the shell is inclined at a small angle (∼ 15‡) to the line of sight.     

Variability of the spectrum of the galaxy kaz 701

Results from a spectrophotometric study of the galaxy Kaz 701 are presented. Spectra of this galaxy were obtained on the 2.6-m telescope at the Byurakan Observatory with the SCORPIO spectral camera. In the spectra of Kaz 701, strong Hα, [OIII] λλ5007, 4959, and Hβ emission were observed, and the [SII]λλ6731, 6717 lines were observed with moderate intensities, while the [NII]λ6584 line was scarcely noticeable in the spectra obtained in 2004, but was much more intense in the spectra of 2009. The lines observed in the spectrum of this galaxy are typical of type Sy2 galaxies. A component was observed in the red wings of both the Hα and Hβ lines in the data of 2004, but, although these lines were stronger, these components were absent in the spectra taken in 2009. The relative intensities, equivalent widths, and half widths of these lines are given. These data, obtained in different observation periods (2004 and 2009), differ greatly; that is, the emission is variable.     

Discovery of a Giant Radio Halo in a Massive Merging Cluster at z?=?0.443

We have discovered a giant radio halo in the massive merging cluster MACSJ0417.5-1154. This cluster, at a redshift of 0.443, is one of the most X-ray luminous galaxy cluster in the MAssive Cluster Survey (MACS) with an X-ray luminosity in the 0.1–2.4 keV band of 2.9×10⁴⁵ erg s^− 1. Recent observations from GMRT at 230 and 610 MHz have revealed a radio halo of ∼ 1.2 × 0.3 Mpc² in extent. This halo is elongated along the North-West, similar to the morphology of the X-ray emission from Chandra. The 1400 MHz radio luminosity (L _r) of the halo is ∼2 × 10²⁵ W Hz^− 1, in good agreement with the value expected from the L _x − L _r correlation for cluster halos.     

Profiles of the Hα and Hβ lines in the spectra of B and Be stars in the diffuse stellar cluster h/χ Persei

High dispersion CCD spectra are used to study the profiles of the Hα and Hβ lines of 48 stars in early spectral classes in the young diffuse binary cluster h/χ Per. In addition, moderate resolution spectra of 15 B and Be stars were taken over the interval 4400–4960 Å. One or, possibly, two new Be stars are discovered. The major parameters of the Hα line are measured for the observed B and Be stars. The spectra over 4400–4960 Å are used to estimate T_eff, logg, and υsin i. No traces of emission are detected in the Hα line profiles for 28 of the stars and emission is observed in the Hα line for 20. During our observations an absorption profile of the Hα line was observed for some of the stars, such as Oo146, Oo566, Oo922, and Oo1268, although they have previously been identified as Be stars. A significant long-term variability of the Hα line is discovered for the Be stars Oo1161 and Oo2242. Oo2371 manifests a variability in its faint emission spectrum which is typical of close binary systems that include a Be star. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 51, No. 2, pp. 305–319 (May 2008).     

A Fundamental Plane of Black Hole Activity: Pushing Forward the Unification Scheme

We examine the disc-jet connection in stellar mass and supermassive black holes by investigating the properties of their compact emission in the hard X-ray and radio bands. We compile a sample of ∼100 active galactic nuclei with measured mass, 5 GHz core emission, and 2–10 keV luminosity, together with eight galactic black holes with a total of ∼50 simultaneous observations in the radio and X-ray bands. Using this sample, we study the correlations between the radio (L_R) and the X-ray (L_X) luminosity and the black hole mass (M). We find that the radio luminosity is correlated with both M and L_X, at a highly significant level. We show how this result can be used to extend the standard unification by orientation scheme to encompass unification by mass and accretion rate.