Effects of gravitational microlensing of binary and multiple stars

The observation of microlensing events towards the Large Magellanic Cloud and Galactic Bulge discovers a new population of our Galaxy which is that of dark bodies with masses of the order of 0.1M . Astronomy has now a unique ability: one can use the microlensing as a space telescope with extremely high angular resolution. Here we discuss the opportunity of the application of this ability to observation of close binaries. Stars in a binary system move around their barycenter and as a result the apparent motion is modulated by binary motion. The light curve of this microlensing event becomes nonsymmetrical. If a binary has two stars with different spectral types, one can expect significant variation of color during microlensing effect. Accurate light curves for some typical binaries have been calculated and are presented here. The total fraction of binaries in our Galaxy is around 50%. Therefore one can expect half of the microlensing events to have nonsymmetrical and wavelength depending light curves which would indicate that background star is binary. Our opinion is that the absence of these light curves are due to some selection effect. This leads to an underestimation of the density of the dark body population in our Galaxy by a factor of about two.     

The CCD photometric study of the newly identified RS CVn binary star V1034 Hercules

This paper presents a new CCD Bessell VR_cI_c light curves and photometric analysis of the newly discovered RS CVn type eclipsing binary star V1034 Her. The light curves were obtained at the Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Observatory in 2006. Variations of the orbital period of the system were firstly studied. The (O − C) diagram with a low range of observing time of about 20 years shows an upward parabola, which indicates a secular increase in the orbital period of the system. The light curves are generally those of detached eclipsing binaries; however, there are large asymmetries between maxima. The VR_cI_c light curves were analysed with two different fitting procedures: Wilson–Devinney method supplemented with a Monte Carlo type algorithm and Information Limit Optimization Technique (ILOT). Our general results find V1034 Her. as a well detached system, in which the components are filling 65% of their Roche lobes. Light curve asymmetries of the system are explained in terms of large dark starspots on the primary component. The primary star shows a long-lived spot distribution with active longitudes in the same hemisphere.     

Fourier analysis of the light curves of eclipsing variables,IX

The aim of the present paper will be to detail the procedure outlined in our previous investigations (Kopal, 1975; Kopalet al., 1976) for a solution of the elements of distorted eclipsing systems by a Fourier analysis of their light changes. This procedure—which constitutes an equivalent, in the frequency-domain, of rectification hitherto practised in the time-domain — should enable us to free the observed momentsA _2m of the light curves from all photometric effects of distortion (between minima as well as within eclipses) — a feat impossible in the time-domain except under very restricted conditions — and thus to make it possible to obtain the geometrical elements of the eclipses which should be free from any obvious source of systematic errors.     

Polarimetry of ST LMi (CW1103+254)

White light simultaneous photometry and linear and circular polarimetry is presented for the AM Her variable ST LMi. Linear polarization evident throughout the faint phase is tentatively attributed to electron scattering from gas in the accretion column at heights greater than 5R _wd above the surface. The values of inclination and magnetic colatitude are revised to take into account the height and extent of the cyclotron emitting region which are also determined. A model of two closely connected emitting regions is proposed to account for the asymmetries observed in the light curve and polarization data for this and other AM Her systems. The cyclotron and hard x-ray emitting regions are found to be coincident, which eliminates the region above the shock as the source of polarized light. The shock height is found to be too low and the soft x-ray flux too large for the standard radiative shock model to apply.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

Stellar populations in barred spirals

OASIS observations obtained at the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope for the spiral galaxies NGC 4900 and NGC 5430 produce one spectrum for each 0.41″ element of the 11″ × 15″ field of view. This allows for the spatial characterisation of the different stellar populations. From these observations we study the young (10 Myr) and older stellar populations using evolutionary synthesis codes. Based on the gas emission lines, we find that the young populations are located in relatively small regions and dominate the integrated flux. In NGC 4900, the young populations are distributed in a bar-like structure featuring a hole near the position of the galaxy’s centre. The young stellar populations of NGC 5430 form a nuclear ring and two patches at the base of the spiral arms. Based on Mg₂ and FeI absorption lines, we find that in both galaxies, the young stars are superimposed on a relatively homogenous population of a few Gyr.     

RS CVn-type variables

Photometric observation of HR 1099 inV andB obtained on 18 nights between January and March 1977 is presented. The amplitude of the asymmetric light curve is found to be 0^m.10±0^m.004 both inV andB. On three occasions—namely, JD 2443164. 17, JD 2443176. 14 and JD 2443177.12—the star brightened by 0^m.05. Four H spectrograms at 42 Å mm^–1 dispersion were obtained during October–November 1978. The profile and equivalent width of H of 14 November, 1978 suggest a probable major outburst.Analysis of all available photometry shows that (1) the amplitude and shape of the light curve change in a few orbital periods, (2) the phase of the minimum light migrated towards decreasing orbital phase during the interval JD 2442720 to JD 2443000 and from JD 2443200, there is almost a linear increase of the phase of the minimum light and (3) the phase of the light minimum sometimes shows to and fro behaviour suggesting the migration of the wave is not taking place smoothly.     

Evolution of massive close binaries and formation of neutron stars and black holes

Main results of computations of evolution for massive close binaries (10M +9.4M , 16M +15M , 32M +30M , 64M +60M ) up to oxygen exhaustion in the core are described. Mass exchange starting in core hydrogen, shell hydrogen and core helium burning stages was studied. Computations were performed assuming both the Ledoux and Schwarzschild stability criteria for semiconvection. The influence of UFI-neutrino emission on evolution of close binaries was investigated. The results obtained allow to outline the following evolutionary chain: two detached Main-Sequence stars — mass exchange — Wolf-Rayet star or blue supergiant plus main sequence star — explosion of the initially more massive star appearing as a supernova event — collapsed or neutron star plus Main-Sequence star, that may be observed as a runaway star — mass exchange leading to X-rays emission — collapsed or neutron star plus WR-star or blue supergiant — second explosion of supernova that preferentially disrupts the system and gives birth to two single high spatial velocity pulsars.Numerical estimates concerning the number and properties of WR-stars, pulsars and X-ray sources are presented. The results are in favour of the existence of UFI-neutrino and of the Ledoux criterion for describing semiconvection. Properties of several well-known X-ray sources and the binary pulsar are discussed on base of evolutionary chain of close binaries.     

The search for brown dwarfs with infrared surveys

I compute the maximum number of observable brown dwarfs for various infrared surveys by combining the maximum possible Oort limit (0.1 missing Mpc^–3 with all possible brown dwarf mass and age distributions. This approach shows what limits will be placed on the contribution of brown dwarfs to any possible missing mass if no brown dwarfs are observed. I consider brown dwarfs with masses of 0.01—0.08 M and ages of 10⁹—10¹⁰ years.The full range of predicted numbers of brown dwarfs above 6 times the noise of each of the below surveys is: IRAS Point Source Catalog 0.02—6 IRAS Faint Source Catalog |b| > 10° 0.05—16 ISO (2 week 12µm survey) 0.15—80 SIRTF (2 week 12µm survey) 2.50—1600 WIRE (4 month 12µm survey) 21.80—6000 DENIS (half sky) |b| > 10° 0.00—2000 2MASS (full sky) |b| > 10° 0.00—8000A failure to find brown dwarfs in the IRAS FSC would just barely rule out about half of the mass—age range for Oort limit total masses. A failure to find brown dwarfs in 2MASS/DENIS would rule out roughly the same mass—age range, but would set a limit of 0.1—0.01 times the Oort mass in that mass—age region. No limits would be set for the other half of the mass—age range since both IRAS and 2MASS/DENIS have insufficient sensitivity for brown dwarfs with T < 750 K.A failure to find brown dwarfs with ISO would rule out almost all of the mass—age range for Oort limit total masses, but would not set a significantly lower limit to the brown dwarf mass limit. A failure to find brown dwarfs with SIRTF or WIRE would rule out the entire mass—age range for Oort limit total masses and set an upper limit of 0.1—0.001 times the Oort mass.To date, about 18% of the IRAS FSC has been searched down to 6, and no brown dwarfs have been found. This sets a 95% upper limit of 3 in 18% of the sky, or 13 in the entire FSC for |b| > 10°. To begin to set useful limits from 2MASS or DENIS, approximately 400 square degrees needs to be analyzed. To date, only a few square degrees of results from the 2MASS prototype camera have been examined, with no brown dwarfs found so far.     

The solar coronal mass ejection of 20–21 November, 1973

The coronal transient event of 20–21 November is unusual in that its appearance is distinctly non-loop-like; rather, the transient resembles a confined ray or fan-like volume. Studies of the distribution of the coronal material with time indicate that this is a mass ejection event, involving about 1 × 10¹⁵ g of material from the lower corona. Analysis of the polarization signal of the event suggests that the event is associated with chromospheric activity in a region near longitude E68. The observed properties (distributions in brightness and polarization) of the transient are compared with the properties of a well-studied event of typical loop-like appearance, but rotated to simulate an edge-on appearance; the differences suggest that the 20–21 November event is not such an edge-on, loop-like transient, but rather is most simply described as an axisymmetric-cylindrical or conical volume, the boundaries of which remain constant over the events' lifetime. On this basis, the variation of the transient spatial density with height and the variation of density with time can be specified rather more certainly than for previously-studied coronal mass ejection events. Densities are found to range from 3 × 10^–16 g cm^–3 at 2.1 R heliocentric height early in the event to 1 × 10^–18 g cm^–3 at 4.0 R late in the event. Typical temporal variations of the ejected material (at a given heliocentric height) are found to be on the order of 10^–18 g cm^–3 s^–1. The mass and momentum balance in the event have been estimated from the observed parameters, employing a multiparameter approach. We find that a model with modest mass flux typified by material speed u ₀ 50 km s^–1 and a near balance between the event's pressure gradient force and gravity — with possibly a small hydromagnetic wave contribution to the total pressure — is consistent with the observations. The kinetic energy of the event, determined from the motion of the center of mass of the ejected material, is only about 10²⁶ ergs, and thus is the smallest for any solar mass ejection studied to date.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

The metallic-line close binary system IW persei

TheUBV photoelectric light curve of IW Per as an ellipsoidal variable was obtained and a number of spectrograms were taken with dispersion of 10 Å mm^–1. New spectroscopic orbital elements are determined for this single-line spectroscopic binary to beK ₁=99.3 km s^–1, =0.2 km s^–1,a sini=1.80R andf(m)=0.093m . From analysis of the light curve, the geometric ellipticity coefficient of the distorted components is determined to beZ=0.037.Applying the second-order theory of light variation due to distorted components (Kopal and Kitamura, 1968), the orbital inclination and fractional radius of the primary component can be deduced simultaneously to bei=63° andr ₁=0.294. By takingm ₁=2.0m for the mass of the primary component with spectral type A5Vm, the mass of the secondary can be also deduced to bem ₂=1.08m , which would correspond to a G0-type if it is a Main-Sequence star. These elements indicate that the system is a non-eclipsing detached close binary.From intensity measurements of the lines Caii-K, Srii 4215 and Scii 4320 on twenty-eight good spectrograms taken at various phases, those intensities and the intensity ratio Sc/Sr are found to vary systematically with phase. From these variations the distribution of the local metallicity on the surface of the Am primary component is discussed in connection with the distribution of the local surface temperature.     

The densest prestellar condensations: H2CO Studies ofρ Oph B1

We present new images of the well-known molecular outflow and Herbig-Haro complex L 1551-IRS 5. Deep, high-resolution images of the central region of the flow in [SII] 6716,6731 and H (6565 Å) are complemented by a mosaic of much of the CO outflow in H₂ v=1-0 S(1). While the optical data trace the intermediate-to-high excitation shocks in the flow (v _shock > 30 – 50 km s^–1), the near-IR data reveal the lower-excitation, molecular shocks (v _shock 10–50 km s^–1). In particular, the H₂ data highlight the regions where the flow impacts and shocks ambient molecular gas.     

Apsidal motion in the eclipsing binary system V 451 Ophiuchi

MulticolourWBVR photoelectric observations of the eclipsing binary V 451 Oph were carried out, and a highly accurate light curve was obtained. The angular velocity of the orbital rotation, =2.1 deg yr^–1, and the apsidal motion constantk ₂=0.0045 are given.     

Polarization of intrinsic radiation of tidally distorted stars with electron-scattering atmospheres

Linear polarization of radiation emitted by tidally distorted stars as a function of the binary system phase is computed, taking into account true absorption and the scattering of light on free and bound electrons within hot stellar atmospheres. Computations are made both for the linear distribution of true sources across the atmospheres and for radiative-stable model atmospheres presented by Kurcuzet al. (1974) and Kurucz (1979). Polarization variability was investigated as a function of wavelength . In a number of cases, polarization variability was found to be at an observable level. The most marked variability was expected in the ultraviolet range adjacent to the boundaries of the spectral series for H and He. Near the Lyman limit of approximately =912 Å for stars with an effective temperatureT _eff35 000 K and near the ionization boundary for HeII 226 Å for stars withT _eff>35 000 K, the amplitude of polarization variability is greater than in the case of pure electron atmospheres, sometimes reaching the level of 0.5–1%. For fairly long waves where the limb-darkening coefficient falls below a certain critical valueu _cr0.5, the plane of polarization is found to be turned by 90° as compared to the case of a pure electron atmosphere. For limb-darkening coefficients far from the value ofu _cr; the form of the polarization phase curves, as well as dependence on the parameters of a binary system, remain approximately the same as those in the case of pure electron scattering.     

Gravity darkening of the secondary component of Algol

An analysis of the infrared light curve of the secondary minimum of the Algol system — when the contact subgiant component of spectral class K0 undergoes eclipse by its nearly spherical and early-type mate — for the gravity-darkening of the distorted contact star has disclosed that the monochromatic coefficient of this darkening at =1.6 is some three to four timeslarger than that resulting from von Zeipel's theory. This is in agreement with recent photometric studies of gravity darkening in WUMa-type systems, but in flagrant contrast with the consequences of theories requiring deep sub-surface convection zones for subgiants of advanced spectral types. The origin of this discrepancy remains unresolved, and underlines the need of further observations of the secondary minima in semi-detached eclipsing systems in the infrared.     

An Investigation of the Physical Mechanisms of Orbital Period Variations of the Semidetached Binary UW Vir

The orbital period variations of the Algol-type semidetached binary UW Vir are analyzed. It is shown that in addition to a long-term rapid increase (dP/dt = + 1.37 × 10⁻⁶ day/year), its orbit period has a variation with the period of 62.3 years. Based on the basic physical parameters given by Brancewicz and Dworak in 1980, the physical mechanisms causing the orbital period variations are investigated. The analysis indicates that the periodical variation of orbital period can be interpreted by the light-travel time effect due to the presence of a third body with the mass of M₃ ≥ 0.94 M. As no observational information has been reported for this tertiary component, it might be a compact object (e.g., a white dwarf). The long-term increase of orbital period can be explained in terms of the mass transfer from the secondary to the primary component (dM₂/dt = 1.43 × 10⁻⁷ M/year). This is in agreement with the semidetached configuration of the system with a lobe-filling secondary component. But according to the evolution theory of binaries, the Algol-type semidetached binary UW Vir should be at the evolutionary stage of slow mass transfer on the nuclear-reaction timescale of the secondary component. However, the analysis shows that the timescale for the periodical variation of orbital period is much shorter than the nuclear-reaction timescale of the secondary component, but close to the thermodynamic timescale of the secondary. This reveals that: (1) This binary system is at the evolutionary stage of rapid mass transfer on the thermodynamic timescale of the secondary component; or (2) The circumstellar matter of the system makes a contribution to the rapid increase of orbital period via the angular momentum transfer.     

The accretion matter at the disk rim in Her X-1/HZ Her

The Crosa and Boynton (1980) empirical model for discrete mass transfer in Her X-1 is further developed. The photometric features of the light curve (peaks of an hour duration and 0.3–0.7 ^m amplitude, steps near orbital phase =0); and the linear polarization bursts are assumed to be due to the formation and eclipses of the plasma blobs produced by discrete transfer of matter from optical star surface and its interaction with the accretion disc rim. The long lifetime (20^h) of the cold (3×10⁴ K) blob extending up to 10¹¹ cm above the disc plane, as well as the deep X-ray flickerings (300 s) during the X-ray absorption dips are assumed to arise from a dispersal of accreting matter by the Rayleigh-Taylor instability in a blob moving through a hot corona of the disk atT _c =3×10⁶ K andn _c =3×10¹¹ cm^–3. Thermal equilibrium in the corona and in the blobs are supported by X-ray flux. Within the first few hours after its formation a blob disintegrates into drops withr=5×10⁹ cm,T=3×10⁴ K, andn=3×10¹³ cm^–3 which move then along Keplerian orbits. Frictional interactions of the drops with the corona destroy them on a 20^h time-scale. The proposed model makes it possible to interpret the diverse observational facts and to predict numerous observational displays in the optical, UV, and X-ray bands. The first results of our optical-spectrum observations of blobs are briefly described.     

Spiral structure of galaxies two alternatives

At present the wave theory of the spiral structure of the galaxies includes two alternative viewpoints. Two types of spiral waves—short-wave and long-wave modes—can be excited. According to Lin and Shu (1964) the short-wave modeK is responsible for the spiral structure of the galaxies and, according to Marochniket al. (1972), the long-wave mode (K ₀). In our Galaxy theK -mode corresponds to the wave with an angular rotation velocity _p =11–13 kms^–1 kps^–1 and a radial group velocity directed from the periphery to the center. TheK ₀-mode corresponds to the wave having an angular rotation velocity _p =23 ± 3 kms^–1 kps^–1 and a radial group velocity directed from the center of the Galaxy to its periphery. The theoretical and observational evidences in favour of Marochniket al.'s (1972) model are given.     

Fourier analysis of the light curves of eclipsing variables,XVIII

The aim of the present paper has been to establish explicit expressions for the photometric perturbations in the light changes of close eclipsing systems, arising from the mutual distortion of the components, for any type of eclipses — be these occultations or transits; partial, total, or annular — and exhibiting arbitrary distribution of brightness (limb- or gravity-darkening) over the apparent disc of the eclipsed star.These perturbations have been expressed in terms of certain general types of series that can be easily programmed for automatic computation. They represent a generalization of results previously obtained by Kopal (1975) or Livaniou (1977, 1978) in so far as the expansions derived in this paper hold good for any real (not necessarily integral) value ofm>0. As such, they can be used to free from the photometric proximity effects within eclipses the empirical momentsA _2m of the light curves of non-integral orders, and the task performed within seconds of real time on high-speed automatic computers now available. Closed-form expressions for such perturbations, obtaining in the case of total eclipses, are given correctly to terms of first order in quantities which represent the distortion of each component.     

Effects of shock processing on Serkowski polarization curves

This paper presents a semi-empirical model for variations of interstellar polarization curves based upon the Serkowski-Wilking law for optical and near-infrared wavebands. The model assumes that nonspherical dust grains producing interstellar polarization are core-mantle particles shaped like oblate spheroids. The physical picture is one in which large (a ₀ 0.1µm) particles in the dense cloud phase are deposited into the diffuse cloud medium and thereafter undergo mantle processing by galactic shocks and UV starlight. It is shown that polarization curves vary their widths mainly as a consequence of the nonthermal sputtering of mantles by low-velocity shocks. Mantle sputtering by shocks in low density clouds tends to broaden the curves, whereas mantle sputtering by shocks in denser clouds produce narrow curves. Hence, shock processing of grain mantles can explain the observed correlation between the width of polarization curves and the dust grain environment.     

Heated solar atmosphere: A one-fluid model

A one-fluid model of the solar atmosphere is considered. The corona is heated by waves propagating out from the Sun, and profiles for temperature, flow speed and number density are obtained. For a relatively quiet Sun the inwards heat flux in the inner corona is constant in T 5–6 × 10⁵ K and the temperature maximum is reached for r — R = 0.4 — 0.5 R where R is the solar radius. The number density in the inner corona decreases with an increasing particle flux.