An infrared study of Be stars based on ISO SWS01 spectra

The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) Short-Wavelength Spectrometer (SWS) spectra of 10 Be stars are presented. It can be seen that the Be stars show a diversity in their ISO SWS01 spectral classifications by Kraemer et al., from naked stars, stars associated with dust, stars with warm dust shells, stars with cool dust shells to very red sources. In addition, the Brc/HI(14-6) line flux ratio derived for the sample stars is compared with that of P Cyg, and it is found that the line ratio of Be stars which were investigated show not only lower values as suggested by Waters et al., but also larger values. Therefore, the line ratio cannot he used to judge whether a star is a Be star or not.     

AGB星的ISO观测

概述了ＩＲＡＳ升空以来在ＡＧＢ星研究方面的进展和发现的问题,比较详细地报告了６０ｃｍ空间红外望远镜ＩＳＯ携带的探测器及其性能,以及它的成像和光谱观测对研究ＡＧＢ星的演化的影响,尤其是对ＡＧＢ星星周包层的化学环境的研究的重要作用。     

The dual dust chemistries of planetary nebulae with [WCL] central stars

The rather rare class of central stars of planetary nebulae that show very low-excitation Wolf–Rayet spectra has been a subject of great interest, particularly in the infrared, since its discovery in the late 1960s. Further peculiarities have been found with the advent of infrared spectroscopy from ISO . Notably, these objects simultaneously betray the presence of regions of carbon-rich and oxygen-rich dust chemistry. We compare and contrast complete ISO spectra between 2 and 200 μm of a sample of six [WC8] to [WC11] central stars, finding many similarities. Among this sample, one star provides strong evidence of quasi-periodic light variations, suggestive of a dust cloud orbiting in a plane from which we view the system.     

The infrared colors of main sequence stars: how much circumstellar debris is normal?

We have been awarded NASA Key Project observing time on ISO, in order to establish the true frequency of far-infrared excesses in a volume-limited sample of main sequence and related stars, and address the relative success or failure of single stars in processes related to the forming of planetary systems. For a volume-limited subset of main sequence and related stars, PHT03 measurements at 3.6, 11.5, 20 and 60 micron will be obtained, using a 120 arsec aperture in all cases to eliminate possible companion confusion with differing apertures, to ascertain spectral energy distributions. For the M dwarfs, 100 micron observations will also be obtained. For some, brighter sources, more extensive wavelength coverage and improved spatial resolution will be attempted, using CAM and SWS. Spatially over-sampled PHOT observations will be made at 60 micron of the brightest and nearest Vega-like sources to measure the characteristic sizes of the emitting regions and obtain some information regarding their shapes and orientations. The goal is not a map, but scan profiles along 3 position angles which can be deconvolved to find the intrinsic size and shape of the half-maximum contour of the emitting region. Photometry of selected lines of sight through the zodiacal dust will also be carried out to look for outer solar system (Kuiper Belt) material. Observation at a range of wavelengths, ecliptic latitudes and at 2 epochs is designed to help untangle foreground Zodiacal from background Kuiper flux, not necessarily to look for individual macroscopic objects.     

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.     

ISO Observations of Wolf-Rayet Dust Shells

Observations of circumstellar dust clouds of Wolf-Rayet stars made with the Short Wavelength Spectrometer on ISO reveal a subtle variety of spectral energy distributions not evident from ground-based observations. The modelling of these using the radiative transfer code "Dusty" by Ivezić, Nenkova & Elitzur is reported. The results are used to examine the contributions by different possible grain types to the emission and of circumstellar and interstellar components to the reddening. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Intermittently Embedded Herbig Ae/Be Stars ISO and Ground-Based IR Observations

We discuss silicate emission profiles observed with the ISO SWS and ground-based IR observations in a population of intermittently embedded Herbig Ae/Be stars which are viewed edge-on to their polarimetrically identified dust and gas disks. The ISO SWS observations confirm the lack of a simple correlation between system age and the profile shape. Comparison with laboratory silicates suggests that much of the observed variation is due to different annealing histories of the grains. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Dust properties of [WCL] CSPNS

The rather rare class of central stars of planetary nebulae thatshow Wolf-Rayet spectra have been a subject of great interest,particularly in the infrared, since their discovery in the late1960s. I will focus on further peculiarities found within thepast 1-2 years with the advent of infrared spectroscopy fromISO. Notably, these stars simultaneously betray the presenceof regions of carbon-rich and oxygen-rich dust chemistry. Icompare and contrast complete ISO spectra from 2 to 200 micronsof a small sample of [WC9] to [WC11] central stars.     

Observational Evidence for Grain Growth

Discs around young stars are the sites of planet formation. The first step in this process is the growth of submicron grains to larger sized grains. I will review evidence for dust growth in CS discs, based on ISO and Spitzer infrared spectroscopic observations. Intermediate-mass stars, solar-type stars and even brown dwarfs will be discussed in the context of dust evolution. Furthermore, I will compare objects of several star-forming regions of different ages, and discuss the influence of the stellar parameters and environment on dust evolution, as witnessed by the observed dust characteristics. The main focus lies on what one can learn from 10 micron spectroscopy, the region where most astronomical dust species have important spectral features.     

Duplicity on the main sequence

A review paper or a lecture like the following one, will best serve its conference by giving an overview of the basic facts, and an impartial review of current debates, also by trying to point out some apparently crucial questions whose solutions, we hope, will determine the line of future research.Because these stars are essentially unevolved, beyond the topic of multiplicity on the Main Sequence looms the fundamental problem of the formation of binary star systems. Thus we are going to concentrate on the following questions: the fraction of stars that are formed in binary and multiple systems, the distribution of mass ratios for unevolved systems, the role of very wide pairs and the smallest known stellar or substellar masses. We will pay special attention to nearby binary stars. On the other hand, we do not have the space to discuss in any detail the binaries in extragalactic systems, in the upper regions of the HR-diagram; they are practically all evolved systems.Paper presented at the Lembang-Bamberg IAU Colloquium No. 80 on Double Stars: Physical Properties and Generic Relations, held at Bandung, Indonesia, 3–7 June, 1983.     

Gamma-ray burst energy spectra: theoretical models,old and new

The M, S and C stars may be placed in an evolutionary sequence on the basis of direct observation of the spectroscopic transitions on the AGB of rich intermediate-age clusters in the Magellanic Clouds, but some S and C stars cannot be accounted for in this way. The S stars in Centauri owe their peculiarity to a primordial enrichment in s-process elements. The J-type (¹³C-rich) carbon stars originate in a different way to the ordinary cool N-type carbon stars. Some of them have silicate-rich circumstellar dust, contrary to expectation. Some of the carbon-rich RV Tauri stars also have silicate-rich dust and in both cases it may be organised in a disc. Observational evidence for gas and dust ejection by ordinary N-type carbon stars has been found and may be inferred for some RV Tauri stars.     

Protoplanetary dust clouds in disks of Herbig Ae/Be stars

The very large brightness decrease of late-type Herbig Ae/Be stars is believed to be caused by obscuring dust clouds orbiting in the outer parts of their circumstellar disks. The distances of the dust clouds to the central stars have been estimated using the wavelength at maximum flux of the excess near-IR radiation, Wien's displacement law, and a formula derived by Rowan-Robinson (1980). The critical masses of these clouds were calculated employing Chandrasekhar's (1943) formula. The minimum size of the dust grains in the obscuring clouds was estimated using Aumannet al.'s (1984) formula they had applied to the star Lyr. However, it can be about ten times smaller if the dust grains are situated at the back of the cloud. The average size of these grains has been determined by assuming a size distribution similar to that in the asteroidal belt (Dohnanyi, 1969) and in the interstellar medium (Mathiset al., 1977). Their number density was determined by means of the extinction power of the dust cloud at theV pass-band. The results of our calculations show that above parameters are similar to those in our solar system. Therefore, we believe that most probably (a) the formation of planetesimals in the circumstellar disks of Herbig Ae/Be stars is on-going; and (b) the obscuring clouds will, in the long run, become planet-like objects.Paper presented at the Conference onPlanetary Systems: Formation, Evolution, and Detection held 7–10 December, 1992 at CalTech, Pasadena, California, U.S.A.     

Infrared spectral evolution of carbon stars

We collected almost all Highly Processed Data Products(HPDP)of ISO SWS01 spectra for the Galactic visual carbon stars,infrared carbon stars,extreme carbon stars and carbon-rich proto-planetary nebulae(PPNs).Those infrared spectra are primarily analyzed and discussed.It is shown that either spectral shapes/peaks,or main molecular/dust features are evidenced to change in the sequence of visual carbon stars,infrared carbon stars,extreme carbon stars and carbon-rich PPNs.Statistically,in this sequence,continua are gradually changed from blue to red and locations of spectral peaks of continua are also gradually changed from short wavelengths to long wavelengths.In addition,in this sequence,intensifies of main molecular/dust features are also gradually changed from prominent in the short wavelengths to prominent in the long wavelengths.Furthermore,from 2MASS and IRAS photometric data,the sequence is also proved.Results in this paper strongly support the previous suggestion for the evolution sequence of carbon-rich objects in our Galaxy,that is the sequence of visual carbon stars→infrared carbon stars→extreme carbon stars→carbon-rich PPNs.     

Late stages of the evolution of close binaries

Close binaries can evolve through various ways of interaction into compact objects (white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes). Massive binary systems (mass of the primaryM ₁ larger than 14 to 15M ₀) are expected to leave, after the first stage of mass transfer a compact component orbiting a massive star. These systems evolve during subsequent stages into massive X-ray binaries. Systems with initial large periode evolve into Be X-ray binaries.Low mass X-ray sources are probably descendants of lower mass stars, and various channels for their production are indicated. The evolution of massive close binaries is examined in detail and different X-ray stages are discussed. It is argued that a first X-ray stage is followed by a reverse extensive mass transfer, leading to systems like SS 433, Cir X1. During further evolution these systems would become Wolf-Rayet runaways. Due to spiral in these system would then further evolve into ultra short X-ray binaries like Cyg X-3.Finally the explosion of the secondary will in most cases disrupt the system. In an exceptional case the system remains bound, leading to binary pulsars like PSR 1913+16. In such systems the orbit will shrink due to gravitational radiation and finally the two neutron stars will coalesce. It is argued that the millisecond pulsar PSR 1937+214 could be formed in this way.A complete scheme starting from two massive ZAMS stars, ending with a millisecond pulsar is presented.Paper presented at the Lembang-Bamberg IAU Colloquium No. 80 on Double Stars: Physical Properties and Generic Relations, held at Bandung, Indonesia 3–7 June, 1983.     

Calibrations for B-type stars in the Geneva photometric system

The Geneva seven-colour photometric system has been applied for almost four decades. Its data bank presently contains 345 000 measurements of 47 600 stars of all types. About 40% of the latter are of types O, B and first A. The light of these bright and massive stars is practically without exception extinguished by interstellar dust. Here, we describe various calibrations made in a three-dimensional orthogonal reddening-free representation of the system, optimised for B-stars, and that separates temperature and gravity effects. Central to all calibrations lies the empirical determination of the intrinsic colours, described here in some detail. Comparisons with synthetic photometry are made. Calibrations for effective temperature, bolometric correction, absolute magnitude are discussed as well as correlations with MK type, standard U,B,V photometry and the Strömgren β index. The unavoidable limitations imposed upon photometry by undetected causes of scatter, such as in binary systems, are evaluated. Open questions and future prospects are mentioned.     

PAH features in the ISO SWS01 spectra of [WR] planetary nebulae

We present Infrared Space Observatory (ISO)Short Wavelength Spectrometer (SWS) observations for 16Wolf–Rayet ([WR]) planetary nebulae (PNe) in the range from 2.4 to16.5 m with the aim of analyzing the dust features present inthis group of objects. We have found that Policyclic AromaticHydrocarbon (PAH) molecular bands are present in most of the observed[WR] planetary nebulae with clear exception for K 2–16 among latetype [WC] stars.     

Infrared and submillimetre studies of Vega-excess stars

We report new infrared and submillimetre observations of a sample of 24 candidate Vega-excess stars, and derive CO masses, dust masses, gas to dust ratios and the strengths of various emission lines. Most of these stars have dustier discs than the class archetypes (Vega, Fomalhaut, β Pic, etc.), yet, like the archetypes, all the stars observed in CO show the gas content of their discs to be depleted compared with molecular cloud values. We discuss how the extra dust content might imply that these stars are less evolved than the archetypes, and use other infrared and submillimetre characteristics to support this contention.     

Extrasolar planetary systems

The article deals with the occurrence of planetary systems in the Universe. In Section I, the terms “planet” and “planet-like objects” are defined. Two definitions proposed for the term “planetary system” are examined from the point of view (1) of the relation between planetary systems and binary and multiple star systems and (2) of planetary systems as abodes of intelligent beings. In Section II, the observational search for extrasolar planetary systems is described, as performable by earthbound optical telescopes, by space probes, by long baseline radio interferometry, and finally by inference from the reception of signals sent by intelligent beings in other worlds.In Section III we show that any planetary system must be preceded by a rotating disk of gas and dust around a central mass. Both observational evidence and theoretical reasons indicate the ease of formation of such disk structures in the cosmos. The time scale of collapse of a gaseous medium into a disk and that of the latter's dissipation are examined. This provides us with a new empirical approach and leads us to consider the problem of the frequency of occurrence of planetary systems to be ripe for scientific study. In Section IV, a brief review of theories of the formation of the solar system is given along with a proposed scheme for classification of these theories. In Section V, the evidence for magnetic activity in the early stages of stellar evolution is presented, as developed from six independent clues: the nuclear abundance of light elements, the behavior of flare stars, the intensities of H and K emission in stars, the nonthermal radiation of premain sequence stars, the properties of meteorites, and finally the existence of contact binaries. The magnetic braking theories of solar and stellar rotation are discussed in Section VI, thereby introducing the idea of formation of a rotating disk of gas and dust around stars in Section VII. From this disk a planetary system emerges.Section VIII gives an estimate for the frequency of occurrence of planetary systems in the Universe. It is based on the rotational behavior of main-sequence stars, and concludes that planetary systems have a far greater chance to appear around single main-sequence stars of spectral types later than F5 than around any other kind of star. The combined probability distribution of sizes and masses could be obtained. From physical considerations, it appears that sizes of planetary systems around stars of any given spectral type may not vary greatly from one to another.     

Gas—Dust Shells around Some Early-Type Stars with an IR Excess (of Emission)

The results of an investigation of IR (IRAS) observations of 58 O—B—A—F stars of different luminosity classes, which are mainly members of various associations, are presented. The color indices of these stars are determined and two-color diagrams are constructed. The emission excesses at 12 and 25 mm (E ₁₂ and E ₂₅) are also compared with the absorption A₁₆₄₀ of UV radiation. It is concluded that 24 stars (of the 58 investigated) are disk systems of the Vega type, to which Vega = N 53 also belongs. Eight known stars of the Vega type are also given in the figures for comparison. The remaining 34 stars may have gas—dust shells and/or shell—disks. The IR emission excesses of the 34 investigated stars and 11 comparison stars (eight of them are Be-Ae stars) are evidently due both to thermal emission from grains and to the emission from free—free transitions of electrons in the gas—dust shells of these stars.     

Infrared spectroscopy of Sakurai's object

We present near (ground-based) and far ( ISO ) infrared spectroscopy of Sakurai's object. As in the case of the optical spectrum, between 1996 and 1997 April the near-infrared spectrum underwent a dramatic change to later spectral type, and there is some evidence that the spectrum continued to evolve during 1997. Molecular features of carbon-bearing molecules (CN, C₂, CO) — corresponding to those seen in cool carbon stars — are now prominent in the 1–2.5 μ m range, and the ¹²C/¹³C ratio is low. The ISO data demonstrate the presence of hot circumstellar dust at a temperature of ∼ 680 K. If the dust shell is optically thin, the dust mass is ∼ 2.8 × 10⁻⁸ M⊙.