First Byurakan Spectral Sky Survey. Stars of Late Spectral Types. XI. Zone -7° ≤ δ ≤ -3°

The eleventh list of faint late M and carbon type stars detected on the plates of the First Byurakan Spectral Survey in zone -7° -3° and covering about 1000 square degrees is presented. From 126 detected stars, 88 are newly discovered objects: they are 6 carbon stars, 8 carbon star candidates, and 74 M-type stars; among the latter 38 (26 PSC + 12 FSC) are unclassified IRAS sources, and one object is an unclassified ROSAT source. Distances to the 6 newly discovered early-type carbon stars are estimated. Equatorial coordinates, red magnitudes, and spectral classes determined from the Palomar E-charts are provided. The lack of optical counterparts on Palomar O and E maps for two detected late M-type stars indicates a large variability in brightnesses of these objects (amplitude not smaller than 7.0 magnitude).     

Effects of rotation on hot star winds

We discuss the structure of a radiatively-driven wind from a rapidly rotating hot star. When the rotation rate is large, there is a region at low latitudes near the stellar surface where the force of gravity is larger than the radiation pressure. Within this region, the streamlines fall toward the equator, and if the rotation rate is large enough, the fluid collides with the flow from the opposite hemisphere of the star. The shock compression and subsequent cooling produces a dense equatorial disk. This wind-compressed disk forms only if the star is rotating fast enough. The rotation threshold for disk formation is about 70% of the break-up speed for B stars and is much higher for O stars. If theoretical calculations of the terminal speed are correct, then the behavior of the disk formation threshold as a function of spectral type potentially explains the frequency distribution of Be stars. The geometry of the wind-compressed disk agrees quite well with observations of Be stars; however, the disk density is a factor of 100 too small to explain the magnitude of the IR excess, optical polarization, and H emission, if current UV mass-loss rates are correct. However, recent X-ray observations indicate that the mass-loss rates of B stars may be much larger than previously thought.     

On interstellar reddening law in the Taurus dark clouds

The interstellar reddening law in the Taurus dark clouds is investigated from visual, infrared, and ground based ultraviolet photometric observations of heavily reddened stars HD 29647, HDE 283701, and HDE 283812. The star HD 29647 located in the center of a very dense dark cloud Khavtassi 278 shows a reddening law which is anomalous in the wavelengths shorter than 400 nm. When combined with observations by Snow and Seab from the IUE it can be represented by a single straight line from 1 m to 250 nm. Other two stars situated in less dense parts of the Taurus dark clouds show normal reddening law.     

A simple model of phase-changing variation between be stars and shell stars

Phase changing variations between Be and shell stars are considered from the viewpoint of the formation of shell absorption lines in the envelopes of these stars. Typical shell stars are characterized by large optical depths of the envelopes in the H line (H) in a range of 2000 to 5000, whereas the envelopes of typical Be stars are optically thinner with the values of (H)100. This infers that the envelopes of Be stars should be fully expanded as compared to those of shell stars, so as to reduce the optical thickness. Spectral formation in shell stars shows that their envelopes are well condensed near the equatorial planes forming disks or rings. In this paper a simple model of transformation from a disk envelope of shell star to a spherical envelope of Be star is considered to show the relative volume and volume emission measures of the envelopes in both phases. The phase change variations observed in Pleione and in other Be and shell stars are discussed based on this simple consideration. Some implications of the present model in the linear polarization, IR-excess, UV spectra and the radiation field of the envelope are also discussed briefly.     

An application of sphere of activity in three-body model of interacting galaxies

The sphere of activity which be considered in the test stars of both central galaxies and satellite galaxies is used in three-body model to study the orbital decay of interacting galaxies. It can take account of both semi-restrictedN-body program (Lin and Tremaine, 1983) and multiple three-body algorithm (Borne, 1984) at the same time. The merger time is calculated accurately. The orbital decay of satellite galaxy is characterized. Energy and angular momentum which are carried away by escaping star are computed, too.     

Maximal red shifts of neutron stars

It has been recently established that there exists a maximal red shiftz _max for a homogeneous star of given massM. The relationshipz _max(M) is obtained for neutron stars in the mass range 0.71M/M 12.06.     

Detailed analysis of cool stars

We present the detailed analysis of fourteen cool stars, nine of which have been associated by Eggen with four moving groups from the kinematics and the photometric properties; the five remaining stars are characterized by a large-spatial velocity. From the scatter of the chemical composition among the program stars belonging to a same group, we discuss that the moving groups Her, Wolf 630, and Kapteyn could really exist, and that Groombridge 1830 do not. No peculiar abundance relative to iron is found except a possible relative overabundance of Ni for the most metal-poor stars in this sample. The results of the detailed analyses are discussed in terms of the chemical abundances of our Galaxy.Based on observations collected at European Southern Observatory, La Silla, Chile and Observatoire de Haute-Provence, France.     

First Byurakan Spectral Sky Survey. Stars of Late-Spectral Types. XIII. Zone +1° ≤ δ ≤ +13°

The thirteenth list of faint late M and carbon type stars detected on the plates of the First Byurakan Spectral Sky Survey in zone +1° +13° covering about 3118 sq. degrees is presented. From 285 stars, 161 are newly detected objects: they are 17 carbon stars, 25 carbon star candidates, and 117 M-type stars. The spectral type of two objects is assumed to be between M8 - M9 or late N-subtypes. Among 161 objects, 85 (66 PSC + 19 FSC) are unclassified IRAS sources. Accurate positions, spectral classes, red magnitudes, and color indices are given using several astronomical databases. Finding charts from DSS are given for the most interesting objects.     

A model for interstellar extinction

From an analysis of the interstellar extinction we conclude that interstellar grains are of three main kinds: graphite spheres of radii 0.02 m making up 10% of the total grain mass, small dielectric spheres of radius about 0.04 m making up 25% of the mass, and hollow dielectric cylinders containing metallic iron with diameters of 2/3 m making up 45% of the mass. The remaining 20% consists of other metals and metal oxides. The main dielectric component of the grains appears to be comprised of organic material.     

The distinctive feature of relativistic stellar systems

In this paper we adopt the method of relativistic fluid dynamics to examine the number density distribution of stars around a massive black hole in the core of stellar clusters. We obtain extensive results,n(r) r ^–a, 3/2a9/2, which include, respectively, then(r) r ^–7/4 power law obtained by Bahcall and Wolf and then(r) r ^–9/4 power law by Peebles. Sincen(r) is not an observable quantity for star clusters, we also consider general relativity effects, i.e., the consequence of the bending of light, in calculating the projected density of stars in such a system. As an example we employ a massive black hole 10³ M inlaid in the center of a globular cluster and calculate various projected densities of stars. The results show that cusp construction occurs in all cases unless the central black hole massM=0, and the polytropic index does not affect at all the position of the capture radiusr _a. The obvious differences in the surface density is only embodied in the interior of the capture radius. At the outer regions of the core, the surface density of stars declines rapidly with ar ^–5 power law in all cases. These results can be applied to cases of unequal-mass and non-steady state.     

HST Observations of Sakurai's Object (V4334 Sgr) and Related Stars

We describe our ongoing program of HST observations of Sakurai's Object(V4334 Sgr). Direct WFPC2 imaging from August 1996 through August 2000 revealsno transient features (such as light echoes), and documents the decline of thestar to below 24th visual magnitude in 2000. The surrounding planetary nebulahas shown no changes from 1996 through 2000. There are no obvious peculiarfeatures (such as blobs or knots) in the immediate vicinity of the star. Wealso have in place a target-of-opportunity program to obtain UV spectra withHST in the event that the star begins to retrace its evolution back to highsurface temperature. We also present older HST FOC imaging of V605 Aql. The central object is aresolved nebula that emits in [O III] (but not in hydrogen), whose 0.6diameter is consistent with a dust cloud ejected during the 1919 outburst. Thecentral star itself is not seen due to its being embedded in the nebula.Several other central stars (including H 3-75, IC 2120, and Abell 14) havelate-type nuclei and no evidence for hot companions. They may be furthercandidates for born-again red-giant nuclei.     

Reddening map around α Orionis

uvby photometry has been done for early-type stars in the surroundings of the shell star Ori. The reddening maps show the presence of irregularly distributed absorbing material.Paper presented at the 11th European Regional Astronomical Meetings of the IAU on New Windows to the Universe, held 3–8 July, 1989, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.     

Evolution of Wide Star Pairs Owing to Irregular Forces

The dynamic evolution of wide star pairs (separated by 10⁴ AU for typical galactic conditions) under the influence of random interactions with background stars during transits is studied theoretically. Transits which form a roughly equilateral triangle at some time are considered. The combined effect of many transits can be separated into systematic heating of the pair plus random diffusion over the Kepler elements a and e. The corresponding Fokker-Planck equation is derived and its range of validity indicated. A steady state distribution over a and e is obtained.     

Spectrophotometry of some Be stars

The continuum energy distribution of six Be stars, namely 25 Cyg, 31 Peg, HR 8758, 14 Lac, 12 Vul, and Psc, in the wavelength region 3200–7800 Å, are presented. Comparing the observed energy distributions with those of theoretical models given by Kurucz (1979), their effective temperatures are determined.A near-infrared excess emission at wavelengths above 6000 Å is seen in most of the stars.     

Comparative Analysis of “Exact” and “Approximate” Methods for Estimating the Absolute and Relative Elements of Detached Close Binary Systems

In this paper the star characteristics (luminosities, spectra, masses, absolute and relative radii of the components, mass ratio, major semiaxis, and orbital inclination) of close binary systems (CBS) with detached components are compared element-by-element. Svechnikov and Perevozkina's Catalog of the orbital elements, masses, and luminosities of pre-main sequence-type eclipsing variable stars with known photometric and spectroscopic elements and Svechnikov and Kuznetsova's Catalog of approximate photometric and absolute elements of eclipsing variable stars are used as initial data. The orbital elements contained in the first catalog are determined from solutions of the known photometric light curves and the known radial velocity curves, while the orbital elements for the second catalog were estimated using data from the General Catalog of Variable Stars (GCVS) IV employing approximate statistical relationships such as mass-radius, mass-luminosity, and mass-spectrum, along with the dependence of the orbital inclination on the depth of the principal minimum and others. Possible reasons for discrepancies among the compared quantities are discussed.     

The evidence of circumstellar shells for K type stars

Photometric data between 0.4 and 20 are discussed for K stars. Evidence of IR excess in the 11 region has been found for five stars in a sample of fourteen. The hypothesis of the presence of circumstellar matter in K stars seems to be confirmed.

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Sono stati analizzati dati fotometrici per stelle K tra 0.4 e 20 . Si è riscontrata la presenza di un eccesso infrarosso nella regione intorno a 11 per 5 stelle su 14. Sembra così trovare conferma la ipotesi della presenza di materia circumstellare anche in stelle K.

     

Sub-arcsec 10 μm imaging of β pictoris and other star disk candidates

We have used the ESO 10 m camera, TIMMI, to image with a very high angular resolution (PFoV: 0.3; FWHM:0.9) several main-sequence star disk candidates. Information on the -Pictoris dust disk has been obtained in a region largely inaccessible to previous observations: 0–80 AU, with a resolution of about 5 AU after deconvolution. Another promising target for 10 m imaging, 51 Ophiuchi, appears point-like.based on data collected at the European Southern Observatory (ESO), La Silla, Chile     

Fresip: A mission to determine the character and frequency of extra-solar planets around solar-like stars

FRESIP (FRequency of Earth-Sized Inner Planets) is a mission designed to detect and characterize Earth-sizes planets around solar-like stars. The sizes of the planets are determined from the decrease in light from a star that occurs during planetary transits, while the orbital period is determined from the repeatability of the transits. Measurements of these parameters can be compared to theories that predict the spacing of planets, their distribution of size with orbital distance, and the variation of these quantities with stellar type and multiplicity. Because thousands of stars must be continually monitored to detect the transits, much information on the stars can be obtained on their rotation rates and activity cycles. Observations of p-mode oscillations also provide information on their age and composition. These goals are accomplished by continuously and simultaneously monitoring 500 solar-like stars for evidence of brightness changes caused by Earth-sized or larger planetary transits. To obtain the high precision needed to find planets as small as the Earth and Venus around solar-like stars, a wide field of view Schmidt telescope with an array of CCD detectors at its focal plane must be located outside of the Earth's at mosphere. SMM (Solar Maximum Mission) observations of the low-level variability of the Sun (1:100,000) on the time scales of a transit (4 to 16 hours), and our laboratory measurements of the photometric precision of charge-coupled devices (1:100,000) show that the detection of planets as small as the Earth is practical. The probability for detecting transits is quite favorable for planets in inner orbits. If other planetary systems are similar to our own, then approximately 1% of those systems will show transits resulting in the discovery of 50 planetary systems in or near the habitable zone of solar-like stars.     

First Byurakan Spectral Sky Survey. Stars of Late Spectral Types. XII. Zone -3° ≤ δ ≤ +1°

The twelfth list of faint late M and carbon type stars detected on the plates of the First Byurakan Spectral Survey in zone -3° +1° covering about 1070 sq. degrees is presented. From 86 detected stars, 57 are newly discovered objects: they are 3 R-type carbon stars, 2 carbon star candidates and 52 M-type stars. Among the latter 34 (28 PSC + 6 FSC) are unclassified IRAS sources. Equatorial coordinates, spectral classes, color indices, and red magnitudes determined from the Palomar E-charts are presented.     

Plasma acceleration by radiation in X-ray pulsars

Charged particle acceleration is considered by a radiation flux from a star or hot spot in X-ray pulsars. It is shown that for any distance from the star there exists the upper velocity limit up to which a particle can be accelerated by radiation. This critical velocity does not depend on the luminosity of the spot. Near the hot spot surface the critical velocityv0.65c. These results are applied to plasma acceleration inX-ray pulsars. The mechanism is advanced, of -ray generation in the course of plasma accretion, onto a neutron star. It is shown that in the presence of a large magnetic field and high luminosity of the spot the relativistic electron-position avalanche may appear. The optical depth of the electron-positron cloud achieves the value of order one. The X-ray quanta emitted by the spot are scattered by relativistic (2.6) electron-positron pairs and are transformed into -radiation. Hard quanta with energy 1 MeV leave the generation region in the narrow cone 0.25.