A search for planetary system candidates

We report on our search for possible planetary system candidates in a volume-limited sample of 62 nearby A stars. Since the evolutionary lifetimes of A stars ( 10⁹ yrs) roughly correspond to the era of planet formation and subsequent heavy bombardment in our solar system, our study could provide valuable insight into the origin of our own Solar System. From our ground-based visual and IUE high-resolution spectroscopy of all the northern nearby A stars, we have identified at least 12 stars with circumstellar gas. Combining these results with our previous IRAS survey we are probing the link between stars with circumstellar gas and those showing circumstellar dust disks. Our aim is not just to identify stars with gas, or stars with both gas and dust, but to identify systems with dynamic spectral activity similar to Pic, a well known proto-planetary system candidate. By measuring the gas dynamics in the disks of these Pic-like stars, we can begin to study the physics of accretion disks of young evolving systems.     

Structure and evolution of circumstellar shells formed by massive star winds

We follow the interaction of massive stars with their circumstellar gas over their entire life-times by combining hydrodynamic stellar evolution calculations for 35 and 60M stars and one- and two-dimensional gas dynamical calculations for the circumstellar medium.     

The ney-allen nebula: an unambiguous example of circumstellar dust emission

Diffraction-limited array images of the Trapezium/Ney Allen infrared nebula have been obtained at six wavelengths between 7.8 and 12.4 microns, including the 9.7 micron silicate feature. Extended emission from warm dust shows significant differences in structure around each of the four Trapezium stars. The most dramatic infrared source is associated with ¹ Orionis D, where the bright mid-infrared emission is found to be a distinct crescent-shaped ridge or shell, concentric with the O star. This unambiguous relationship between a known type stellar luminosity source and a distinct circumstellar dust cloud of known distance and dimensions provides a unique opportunity to test the predictions of dust grain emission models for circumstellar infrared sources.     

The circumstellar gas of sigma orionis E

In order to explain the variable H emission and the eclipse-like light variation of Ori E, we investigated the circumstellar gas trapped by the stellar magnetic field and corotating with the star. By considering the potential along the magnetic field line, we found that the gas concentrates to a potential minimum. The circumstellar gas forms either two condensations or a disk, depending on the inclination of the magnetic dipole to the stellar rotation axis. The geometrical thickness of the circumstellar disk, of about 0.2 stellar radii, and the distance from the center of the star to the inner edge of the disk, of about 3 stellar radii, were obtained. The H emission line profile at its maximum phase and the amplitude of light variation were calculated by assuming the isothermal gas in LTE with the maximum gas density which the magnetic field can hold. The model gives good agreement with observation in the low obliquity case, and also explains the phase correlation among the H emission maximum, the light minimum, and the magnetic extreme. The model, however, failed to explain the large IR excess in theM band.     

The relation between molecular clouds and stellar kinematics

The relation between molecular clouds, star clusters, and the stellar component of the galactic disk is investigated. According to Elmegreen (1985) bound stellar systems, e.g., open star clusters, can be formed from molecular cloud of mass 10⁴ M . A close encounter with a giant molecular cloud or massive black hole disrupts such stellar systems and forms superclusters. This explains why some open star clusters are so mass-deficient. Unbound stellar systems, e.g., expanding OB associations, are formed from molecular clouds of mass 10⁵ M . When disruptive O-type stars appear the star formation is halted and the cloud is destroyed. An example of the relict of GMC disruption in the solar vicinity is Gould's belt. The velocity dispersion-versus-age relation is also investigated and explained as a consequence of gravitational scattering of stars on GMC, or massive black holes, or as due to recurrent transient spirals.Paper presented at a Workshop on The Role of Dust in Dense Regions of Interstellar Matter, held at Georgenthal, G.D.R., in March 1986.     

Sub-arcsecond 10 micron imaging of newly-formed stars

We describe initial results of a program to image massive newly-formed stars with sub-arc second spatial resolution. We discuss high-precision diffraction-limited size measurements at =10 m made using the 3 m Lick telescope. The point-spread function has FWHM 0.7; deconvolution yields a spatial resolution of 0.35. We find that the core component of one such object, LkH 101, is unresolved at these scales, and we are able to set a 95%-confidence upper limit of 270 AU for the diameter of the circumstellar dust shell. This places the dust at the same radial scale as a strong ionized stellar wind region seen at radio wavelengths. Our observations, when combined with published spectral observations, rule out an optically thick circumstellar disk but allow a radially thin, anisotropic distribution of dust, or alternatively an isotropic distribution of dust with a narrow range of large grain sizes.     

Polarimetric Studies of Stars with an Infrared Emission Excess

The results of polarimetric and IR (IRAS) observations of 24 B-A-F stars are given. Intrinsic polarization of the light from 11 of the 24 stars is observed. The degree of polarization for the other 13 stars is within the measurement errors. Two-color diagrams are also constructed. From a comparison of the degree of polarization with the color index on the two-color diagrams it is seen that 8 of these 13 stars probably are of the Vega type, while 5 are stars with gas—dust shells and/or disk—shells. It is shown that 6 of the aforementioned 11 stars with intrinsic polarization evidently are stars with gas—dust shells and/or disk—shells, while 5 of them (also including No. 24) are of the Vega type. It is also shown that the IR emission from 10 of the stars corresponds to a power-law distribution F . This fact may be explained both by free—free transitions of electrons and by thermal emission from dust grains in circumstellar gas—dust shells (disks).     

The 11.5 micrometer emission from carbon stars: Comparison with IR spectra of submicrometer-sized silicon carbide grains

In this paper the results of an experimental investigation of the spectra of submicrometersized silicon carbide grains are presented. The grains manufactured from two types of commercial -SiC were prepared according to the Jena IR spectroscopy program for particulates of cosmic importance. From the spectral records mass absorption coefficients have been derived. These data have been used to make a comparison of the laboratory spectra with the well-known 11.5 m emission band observed in the spectra of carbon stars, which is probably due to a transition in circumstellar SiC grains. For this aim, a simple model of an optically thin circumstellar envelope containing SiC grains has been calculated. The theoretical profile of the 11.5 m band derived by means of this model and based on the experimental mass absorption coefficients of SiC grains shows a striking similarity with the observed profile in the spectrum of the carbon star Y CVn. The total amount of SiC dust in the envelope of this star has been estimated at about 10²⁴ g.     

Outflow, Infall, and Rotation in High-Mass Star Forming Regions

According to theory, stars more massive than 8 M must form while still accreting material from the surrounding parental cloud: at this stage radiation pressure should reverse the infall thus preventing further growth of the stellar mass. After illustrating the two models proposed to solve this problem (accretion and coalescence), we review the observational evidence pro/contra such models, focusing on the kinematics of the molecular gas where the massive (proto)stars are embedded as the best tool to shed light on the formation mechanism. Special attention is devoted to the phenomena of infall, outflow, and rotation, concluding that the recent detection of rotating disks in massive young stellar objects is the best evidence so far in favour of the accretion model.     

Optical properties of circumstellar silicate grains

The optical properties of circumstellar silicate dust grains around oxygen-rich giant stars are investigated with close attention to infrared observations of OH/IR stars. The optical constants are deduced from available astronomical and laboratory data. The deduced opacities at longer wavelengths (12 m) for OH/IR stars are higher than the one for M-type Miras possibly because of the change of optical constants depending on temperature of dust grains. Absorption and scattering efficiencies are evaluated for various grain size distributions and shapes. The results of detailed radiative transfer model calculations based on our dust parameters are compared with observational data. The Planck mean values incorporating substantial far-infrared absorption are also calculated.Yonsei University Observatory Contribution No. 91.Department of Astronomy and Space Science, Chungbuk National University Contribution No. 4.     

FBS 0137+400: A Mass-Losing AGB Carbon Mira?

The absolute K-band magnitude determined for the object FBS 0137+400 is typical for Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) carbon stars. The large J - K color index as well as large amplitude variability (K > 0.4) and the presence of H in the emission indicate also that this star is a mass-losing long-period Carbon Mira variable with thick circumstellar shell. The IRAS LRS spectrum indicates the presence of a dust shell surrounding this object. Monitoring of the K-band magnitude is necessary for the determination of the pulsation period of FBS 0137+400.     

Self-regulated star formation and the evolution of stellar systems

In this paper we estimate the star formation efficiency using the assumption that star formation continues until the radiation pressure disrupts the cloud. The results that in the case of low/mediummass star formation the efficiency could be about five times higher than in the case of high-mass star formation.For a three-component star-forming system (low/medium-mass stars, high-mass stars, gas) we investigate the temporal behaviour and the final star formation efficiency. We can show that the efficiency in 10⁴ M clouds is higher than in 10⁶ M clouds. This supports our view that bound stellar systems form from medium-mass clouds, whereas OB associations form in the cores of giant molecular clouds. Furthermore, the effect of induced high-mass star formation may cause a change of the mass spectrum during the formation of an OB association.Paper presented at a Workshop on The Role of Dust in Dense Regions of Interstellar Matter, held at Georgenthal, G.D.R., in March 1986.     

On the problem of detection of the circumstellar clouds from 2800 MgII observations

A new method for the detection of the circumstellar clouds around the hot stars of O-B classes is developed. The method is based on the fact, connected with the large dispersion in the observed equivalent widths,W _*(2800 MgII) of non-stellar origin, for a selected group of stars withE(B-V)=0. The separation of observed magnitudes ofW(2800) in two components interstellarW _i, and circumstellarW _c is realised. It is shown that the circumstellar clouds really existed around 90% of hot stars analysed in the present paper (total number of stars 46, Table II). In 30% cases of hot stars circumstellar clouds are very powerful (the radii are less than 1pc, the masses less than 1 solar mass). The usual model for interstellar medium seems to be unacceptable for the system hot star+circumstellar cloud.     

Circumstellar dust shells around very young and massive stars

In this paper we investigate the properties of dust in circumstellar shells around very young massive compact IR sources (Becklin-Neugebauer objects).We found no correlation between the optical depth in the centre of the 10-m band and the 3.1-m ice band. An inverse correlation between the strength of the silicate feature and the colour temperature for the 8–13 m interval was detected. Our sample of BN objects extends this kind of relation already known for Mira stars and OH/IR stars to higher optical depths.We present a radiative transfer model for BN objects and discuss its main properties. Using this model, the interpretation of the observations led to the conclusion that the type of silicates present in the dust shells of very young stellar objects is different from that type around oxygen-rich giants and supergiants. These different silicates may be tentatively identified with pyroxenes and olivines, respectively.We studied the influence of the adopted dust model in deriving source parameters of BN objects. The object W3-IRS5 was discussed in some detail.Paper presented at a Workshop on The Role of Dust in Dense Regions of Interstellar Matter, held at Georgenthal, G.D.R., in March 1986.     

The evidence for clumpy accretion in the Herbig Ae star HR 5999

Analysis of IUE high- and low-dispersion spectra of the young Herbig Ae star HR 5999 (HD 144668) covering 1978–1992 has revealed dramatic changes in the Mg II h and k (2795.5, 2802.7 Å) emission profiles, changes in the column density and distribution in radial velocity of accreting gas, and flux in the Ly, OI and CIV emission lines, which are correlated with the UV excess luminosity. We also observe variability in the spectral type inferred from the UV spectral energy distribution, ranging from A5 IV-III in high state to A7 III in the low state. The trend of earlier inferred spectral type with decreasing wavelength and with increasing UV continuum flux has previously been noted as a signature of accretion disks in lower mass pre-main sequence stars (PMS) and in systems undergoing FU Orionis-type outbursts. Our data represent the first detection of similar phenomena in an intermediate mass (M 2M ) PMS star. Recent IUE spectra show gas accreting toward the star with velocities as high as +300 km s^–1, much as is seen toward Pic, and suggest that we also view this system through the debris disk. The absence of UV lines with the rotational broadening expected given the optical data (A7 IV,v sini = 180 ± 20 km s^–1) for this system also suggests that most of the UV light originates in the disk, even in the low continuum state. The dramatic variability in the column density of accreting gas, consistent with clumpy accretion, such as has been observed toward Pic, is a hallmark of accretion onto young stars, and is not restricted to the clearing phase, since detectable amounts of accretion are present for stars with 0.5 <t _age < 2.8 Myr. The implications for models of Pic and similar systems are briefly discussed.Paper presented at the Conference onPlanetary Systems: Formation, Evolution, and Detection held 7–10 December, 1992 at CalTech, Pasadena, California, U.S.A.     

Primeval galaxies: Predicted luminosities

Absorption by gas and dust in circumstellar Hii regions within primeval galaxies could seriously depress the far-ultraviolet continuum radiation emitted by primeval galaxies. This effect might account for the failure of Partridge (1974) and Davis and Wilkinson (1974) to detect the redshifted radiation from primeval galaxies at optical and near-infrared wavelengths. A primeval galaxy becomes very bright only during the final stages of contraction. Provided that dust can form by the time the primeval galaxy reaches peak luminosity, a significant fraction of the stellar far-ultraviolet radiation is converted into far-infrared. Thus an appropriate spectral region to search for the redshifted integrated background from primeval galaxies lies between 350 , where the 2.7 K microwave background radiation becomes important, and 150 , where other extragalactic discrete sources, such as nearby galactic nuclei, may contribute. The expected IR flux is calculated with Kaufman's (1975) model for the star formation rate in the contracting galaxy. Letz _p be the redshift andT _g the grain temperature when the primeval galaxy becomes very bright. Unlessz _p10 orT _g is fairly high, the intensity of the far-infrared radiation from primeval galaxies would be dominated by the high frequency tail of the 2.7 K microwave background. On the other hand, if dust is unimportant, we determine the spectral energy distribution of a primeval galaxy emitted in the range 912 Å to 2050 Å; we find that the luminosities are not very sensitive to the dependence of effective temperatures on metal abundance.     

Circumstellar clouds derived from ultraviolet stellar spectra

It is shown that the observed variety in macrostructures of continuous spectra in the ultraviolet (2000–3000 Å) of hot stars is a result of the presence of circumstellar clouds around such stars. A method for calculations of synthetic spectra, originating as a result of passage of central star photospheric radiation through its own circumstellar cloud, is developed. It introduces a new idea of spectral class for circumstellar cloud, and a recommended method for its determination depending from the spectral class of central star and cloud's parameters (Figure 2). The results of calculations of synthetic spectra for the four combinations of system star+cloud are presented (Figures 7-10). The strongest influence of circumstellar cloud in ultraviolet is discovered on A-class stars (Figure 13). Graphic relations are introduced for determination of cloud power by observed parameters of synthetic spectra (Figures 14 and 15).It establishes an important fact for an understanding of the nature of circumstellar clouds and processes occurring in them, according to which the selective absorption in such clouds stimulatesresonance lines only, the largest number of which lies in the ultraviolet in the region of 2100–2600 Å (Figure 1). An absence of visible signs of the effect of circumstellar clouds on continuous spectra of stars in visual region can be explained by a very small number of resonance lines in this region.Lastly, the possibility of determination of physical and geometric parameters of circumstellar clouds from stellar continuous spectra in the ultraviolet is analysed.     

On the influence of mass loss and convective overshooting on the evolution of massive stars

Evolution of massive stars losing mass with the rateM H L/V C is computed (for =1,2,7). It is shown that observed mass loss rates correspond to 0.3 and, therefore, mass loss by stellar wind cannot play any significant role in the evolution of normal massive stars. However, for several types of massive stars (WR, OH/IR, X-ray sources) enhanced mass loss explains their peculiar features. Computations of evolutionary sequences of massive stars with convective overshooting taken into account (as a formal increase of the convective core) show that a significant broadening of the hydrogen-burning band in the H-R diagram may be obtained.     

Evidence for enhanced star formation in iras-detected markarian galaxies

The IR emission of 640 Markarian galaxies (MrkG), included in the IRAS Survey, is considered as an evidence for enhanced star formation rate (SFR) in these objects. About 73% of the MrkG have high far-infrared luminosities (ca. 10E + 44 erg s^–1) in 1–500 mcm IR spectral band. The distribution of log(f ₆₀/f ₁₀₀), peaked at about 45 K, shows that IRAS MrkGs have a tendency to extend the relationf ₆₀/f ₁₀₀ vsL _ir/L _bifor normal S glaxies. They emit up to hundred times more IR energy in 40–120 mcm band than in optics. The mean ratio log L _ir/L _b for 621 IRAS MrkG with known redshifts is 2.2.It is suggested that there are two IR emitting components in the IRAS MrkG - a warm one connected with the UV-fluxes of the newborn massive stars, re-radiated by dust, and a cool one, originated from the dust in galactic disks and heated by the general interstellar radiation field. The warm IR luminosities and warm IR fractions are determined on the basis of IR colour-colour diagrams(25/12),(60/25), and(100/60). The mean warm IR fraction for all Mrk IRAS detected galaxies with well-defined IR fluxes is 0.83 when the grain mass absorption coefficient model withn = 0.0 is used. The dust mass responsible for the IR flux at 60 mcm is derived to be about 10E + 5M , assuming the dust clouds are optically thin, and using the dust temperatureT _d 46 K (deduced from thef(60)/f(100) ratio). There is a relation betweenL _irandL _blwhich points out that the most IRAS MrkG have rather enhanced SFR.     

Population synthesis in starburst galaxies: Mkn 710

Evolutionary population synthesis models have been built to study the properties of the starforming processes taking place in starburst regions. BothZ andZ /10 stellar evolutionary tracks have been used to take into account that starburst galaxies are generally metal deficient. A very small time step allows us to follow the evolution of the cluster even during very short phases. Three parameters have been synthesized: the ratio of the Siiv (1400 Å) andCiv (1550 Å) UV absorption lines, that characterize the predominant massive stars in the cluster, the ratio of the WR_bump over the H luminosity, tracer of WR stars and the FIR luminosity, directly related to the extinction due to dust in the cluster. The predictions have been compared with observations of the burst taking place in the galaxy Mkn 710. The burst age is 5–6 Myr. The stars seem to have formed simultaneously with a mass spectrum whose slope is in the range (1,2) for massive stars. The upper mass limit has to be 60M . We have performed a systematic study of a sample of 17 starburst galaxies searching for differences in the star formation process that may be related to different metallicities or morphological types.Based on observations with the International Ultraviolet Explorer collected at the Villafranca Satellite Tracking Station of the European Space Agency.