Variations in the shell spectrum of the Be star EW Lacertae

Between 1982 and 1984 we carried out spectral observations of EW Lac with a grating spectrograph on the 60/90 cm Schmidt telescope of Beijing Observatory. We found that its Balmer shell absorption lines changed within a short time, from a single absorption core to a double absorption core and later changed back to a single core. We measured the radial velocity of the Balmer lines and did not find any obvious Balmer progression, while the radial velocity of the double core, particularly the V component, showed clear variations in time. We think the variations reflect ejection of shell matter.     

Active phenomena of the Be star EW Lac observed in 1978–1982

The long-term variations of EW Lac in the H and H line profiles are presented. The active phase observed in 1978–1982 is characterized by the strengthening of emission lines accompanied by variations of radial velocities andV/R asymmetries. A model of a rotating elliptic ring is proposed.Paper presented at the IAU Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, between 30 September–6 October, 1984.     

Short time-scale variations of Epsilon Aurigae in the H-alpha region

During the total eclipse of ε Aur, 18 spectra in the Hα region were taken in rapid succession on 1983 March 9, and 6 spectra on March 10, with the Reticon at the Coudé focus of the McDonald Observatory 2-metre telescope. The data were processed and plotted by computer. Variations on short time-scales were observed in the radial velocities of the metallic lines and Hα. The radial velocities of individual metallic lines are between 3 and 16 km/s more negative than calculated from the orbital elements. The Hα has 3 emission features with equivalent widths 300 mÅ, 54 mÅ and 1 mÅ and 1 absorption feature with an equivalent width of 1800 mÅ. The profile and the equivalent widths changed only slightly while substantial variations occurred on the blue side of the two stronger emission features. The radial velocities of the emission features are about ?60, +12 and +57 km/s; that of the absorption component is +20 km/s. The radial velocity of the strongest emission feature also varies, but by much smaller amounts than the metallic lines and the variation appears to be periodic. A model in which the secondary is a B-star surrounded by hot, active clouds is proposed.     

Long-term radial velocity variations in some Be stars

All the radial velocities (RV) available in the literature since the beginning of the century for the Be stars EW Lac, 28 Tau, Tau, KX And, KY And, CX Dra and 88 Her, are assembled. When possible, a periodogram analysis has been performed to search for eventual periodic phenomena.The following conclusions have been drawn: EW Lac could be a spectroscopic binary with a period of about 40 years; 28 Tau shows some indications of regular long-term RV variations on the time scale of decades; a probable recurrent shell activity of Tau could be hypothesized. Some useful indications for KX and KY And are given, whereas it is not possible to draw any conclusion for CX Dra and 88 Her owing to the lack of data.     

Spectral study of the flare star EV Lac

Spectral observations of the flare star EV Lac made on the 2.6-m telescope at the Byurakan Observatory in 2000–2002 are reported. A powerful flare was detected and it was possible to follow the variation in the equivalent widths of the Hα and Hβ lines, both during the flare and during the quiescent phase of the star. It is shown that the profiles and equivalent widths of the lines underwent substantial changes. The equivalent widths of these emission lines reached a maximum roughly 40 min after the flare maximum. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 573–583 (November 2006).     

The height distribution of the kinetic temperature and turbulent velocity of solar Hα spicules

The height distribution of the kinetic temperature of solar H spicules is determined using the widths of optically thin hydrogen and metallic lines obtained at the total solar eclipse of 1966: the temperature was found to be 8600 K at the height of 2200 km measured from the radial optical depth of unity at 5000 Å, and to decrease to a minimum of 5000 K ± 180 K at 3200 km, and to increase again to 8200 K at 6000 km.The height distribution of the non-thermal turbulent velocity is also determined and is shown to be consistent with the neutral helium line widths emitted at the kinetic temperature of 5000–8000 K.     

Observation and study of the H-alpha emission of 33 RS CVN stars

In September 1984, using the Reticon on the 2.1m telescope of McDonald Observatory, we observed the spectra in the Hα region of 33 binaries of the RS CVn type. Our observations of radial velocity and equivalent width are given here. For the first time, we detected Hα emission in the 3 systems, HD 8357, HD 175742 and HR 7428, and their emission features are described in detail. We also found HD 8357 to have a double spectrum and determined the radial velocity curves of the two components, and their mass ratio. The 6 systems, λ And, UX Ari, RT Lac, AR Lac, HK Lac and HD 185151 show persistent or occasional strong Hα emission, and they are briefly described and analysed. The remaining 24 systems showed absorption features in their Hα profile, but their equivalent widths are appreciably smaller than standard stars of similar spectral type, and they also varied in time. We believe that Hα emission is one of the common features of binaries of this type.     

Hα emission line morphologies in Markarian starburst galaxies

We present broad bandR and narrow band Hα emission line images of a sample of optically selected starburst galaxies from the Markarian lists. The emission line morphology is studied and global properties like luminosities, equivalent widths and star formation rates are derived. The radial distribution of Ha flux and the EW are determined using concentric aperture photometry on the emission line and the continuum images. Ha flux is generally found to peak in the nuclear region and fall off outwards. The EW is found to peak off-center in most of the cases implying that though the intensity of emission is maximum at the nucleus, the star formation activity relative to the underlying continuum often peaks away from the center in Markarian starburst galaxies.     

Photometric behaviour of the Be star EW Lacertae

The night-to-night and short-term variations inUBV light curves of EW Lac which were made during 1982–1984 at Yonsei University Observatory are discussed. The long-term variability in the photometric behaviour of the star is examined with our own data as well as those of Harmanecet al. (1980).Paper presented at the IAU Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, between 30 September–6 October, 1984.Yonsei University Observatory Contribution No. 23.     

Photometric and spectroscopic observations of the variable star ET And. II

New spectroscopic and photometric observations of the variable Ap star ET And carried out 1982 and 1983 confirm once again the existence of short-time variations. For the radial velocity variations a period of 0.19771 days and for the light variations a period of 0.0989 days was found. Some spectrograms show a velocity progression of the Balmer lines. The gradient is of such a kind that the radial velocity values increase from the line H_γ to H₁₅. Different models for the interpreation of the velocity progression are discussed.     

Spectroscopic study of the supergiant star 6 Cassiopeiae

Twenty-five coudé spectrograms (22 with dispersion 12 Å mm^–1 and three 7 Å mm^–1) of 6 Cassiopeiae (A3 Ia) have been studied. The observations were made at the Haute Provence Observatory. The results of the analysis suggest a correlation between the variations of the equivalent widths, the microturbulence and the radial velocity. The radial velocity and turbulent velocity present a rapid variation with time, even in intervals as short as about an hour. The hydrogen lines are slightly asymmetric but the strongest Feii lines are clearly asymmetric. We found that the amount of asymmetry of the strongest Feii lines (I>6) correlates with the loggf value, with the estimated laboratory intensityI, and with the equivalent widthW .The observations have been made at the Astronomical Observatory of Haute Provence (CNRS). This work has been supported by TUBITAK (Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey), and partially by CNR (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche) of Italy.     

Abrupt light changes and multiperiodicity in Be stars: EW Lacertae revisited

The combined 1983 campaign and Seoul data on the variable Be star EW Lac is reanalyzed. CLEANing of the Fourier transform of the present time series clearly shows more than a single period. A multiperiodic fit can account also for a sudden brightness change through frequency beating. Comparison with previous multiperiodic solutions based on data obtained in different seasons shows highly variable amplitudes of the pulsational frequencies. The consequence of this finding to variable shell activity of EW Lac is briefly pointed out.Yonsei University Observatory Contribution No. 98.     

The Stellar Content of Active Galaxies

We present the results of a long-slit spectroscopic study of 38 active and four normal galaxies. Stellar absorption features, continuum colours and their radial variations are analysed in an effort to characterize the stellar population in these galaxies and detect the presence of a featureless continuum underlying the starlight spectral component. Spatial variations of the equivalent widths of conspicuous absorption lines and continuum colours are detected in most galaxies. Star-forming rings, in particular, leave clear fingerprints in the equivalent widths and colour profiles. We find that the stellar populations in the inner regions of active galaxies present a variety of characteristics, and cannot be represented by a single starlight template. Dilution of the stellar lines by an underlying featureless continuum is detected in most broad-lined objects, but little or no dilution is found for most of the 20 type 2 Seyferts in the sample. Colour gradients are also ubiquitous. In particular, all but one of the observed Seyfert 2s are redder at the nucleus than in its immediate vicinity. Possible consequences of these findings are briefly outlined.     

Investigation of the spectroscopic variability of the Wolf-Rayet star HD 192163

Based on 24 high-resolution echelle spectrograms of the Wolf-Rayet star HD 192163 taken in 2005–2007 at the Cassegrain focus of the 2-m Zeiss-2000 telescope at the Shemakha Astrophysical Observatory (National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan), we have investigated the profiles of five emission lines: He II 4859, He II 5411, CIV 5808, He I 5875, (He II + Hα) 6560. We have analyzed the echelle spectrograms using the DECH20 code. Various emission line parameters have been determined: the equivalent widths, radial velocities, central intensities, and FWHMs. The violet wing of the He II + Hα emission band has been found to be variable (from 6496 Å to 6532 Å). Significant differences in the equivalent widths and radial velocities of the He II + Hα emission band in 2005 and 2007 were revealed. This can be a manifestation of long-term variations in the star HD 192163. We have confirmed that HD 192163 belongs to the WN6 spectral subtype.     

Investigation of atmosphere nonstationarity in the supergiant 55Cyg. I. Temporal line profile variability

The CCD spectra taken with echelle spectrographs of the 2-m telescope of the Shemakha Astrophysical Observatory of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan and the 1-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences are used to study the line profile variations in the spectrum of the hot supergiant 55Cyg. The variability of the radial velocity and profiles of the lines of heavy elements is shown to be due to radial pulsation type motions. The corresponding variations for He I lines are due to nonradial pulsations. In the case of the H _β and H _α lines the pattern and behavior of variations differ for different observing periods. The variability of these lines is mostly due to the photometric and positional variability of the absorption and emission components of their profiles. The profiles of these lines show additional emission components, which move from the blue toward the red line wing. Such a behavior is indicative of the clumpy structure of the stellar envelope.     

A photometric study of the Be star EW Lac: Evidence for multiperiodicity

A multifrequency analysis of the short-term photometric variations of the Be and shell star EW Lac is performed. Two data sets, almost thirty years apart, revealed similar frequency structures but significantly differ in amplitudes. The causes of variability is checked under various assumptions including spot(s) on the surface, an inhomogeneous or asymmetric envelope, tidal distortions, and the presence of a companion. The most plausible interpretation is, however, found in terms of nonradial pulsations. In particular, the problem of abrupt light changes is pointed out, an effect which is fully explained by multiperiodicity.     

Long–term Photometry of RT Lacertae: 2. Further Evidence fo a Circumstellar Envelope and MAss Accretion

The light curves, obtained by the authors of the present paper during the period 1978–1992, of the chromospherically active binary system RT Lac were examined. The average (B–V) colour indices were obtained and corrected for the interstellar extinction. Spectroscopic studies indicate that the less massive component may be taken as G8. The light curve analysis indicates that the less massive, larger component fills its corresponding Roche lobe. Both photometric and spectroscopic observations compel one to draw a conclusion that circumstellar matter does exist around the binary system. A colour excess caused by this matter is found to be 0.278 for B–V colour at mid–secondary eclipse. On the basis of photometric colour indices alone, the components of RT Lac are classified as G3–4 and G8. If we use the observed radial velocities of the less massive subgiant star from Ca II emission lines and from other optical lines we find for the mass of the more massive component as 1.34–1.70 M. This mass range corresponds to the main sequence late F stars. The common envelope hypothesis and mass function and also blending of the spectral lines of more massive component point out that it should be at most a late F type main sequence star.     

Simultaneous photoelectric and spectral observations of the star EV Lac

We discuss the results of simultaneous photoelectric and spectral observations of the flare star EV Lac. The observations of EV Lac were carried out at the National Astronomical Observatory of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in August 1986. The photoelectric observations were conducted in the U-color with 1 sec time integration on a 60cm telescope. The effective time of photoelectric observations was 13 hours. The spectral observations were carried out on a two-meter telescope. During one night 35 spectrograms of the star EV Lac were obtained, each of which lasted 2 minutes. The equivalent widths of the H emission line were measured. During the photoelectric observations 6 flares were recorded. One of the two comparison stars, C₂ showed variable brightness.Translated fromAstrofizika, Vol. 37, No. 4, 1994.The authors consider it their pleasant duty to thank Professor L. V. Mirzoyan for valuable advice and the staff of the Rozhen Observatory of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences for assistance during the observations.     

Investigation of the lines H<Subscript>α</Subscript> and H<Subscript>β</Subscript> in the spectrum of the star HD 206267

The results of investigations of the H_α and H_β lines in the spectrum of the star HD 206267 are presented. Observations were carried out in 2011–2014 at the Cassegrain focus of the 2-m telescope of the Tusi Shamakhy Astrophysical Observatory of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan using an echelle spectrometer. The following features have been revealed for the first time: the moving discrete absorption components in the core of the H_α line from the red side to the violet, the stable emission in the violet wing of the H_α line, the antiphase variation of the radial velocities and equivalent widths of the H_α line, and the independence of the changes of the equivalent widths of the H_β line from the phase of the orbital period. No spectral features according to which this star could be considered as a source of X-ray radiation have been found.     

High-dispersion spectroscopic observations of Venus near superior conjunction: III. The carbon dioxide band at 8689 Å

To investigate further the Venus inverse phase effect, 12 plates of the 8689 Å CO₂ band, taken in 1971, were analyzed for abundances and temperatures using the curve-of-growth method. We found an average rotational temperature of 230 ± 1°K for an average slope of the curve of growth of 0.56 ± 0.03. Day-to-day variations in the equivalent widths of the CO₂ lines can be as large as 25%, and long-term changes in the cloud-top temperature are confirmed. On the other hand, the widely accepted “inverse” phase effect of CO₂ line equivalent widths near superior conjunction receives no firm support from these results.