OH/IR stars with SiC circumstellar envelopes

From the LRS spectra of almost 2000 IRAS sources showing the 1612 MHz OH emission we found 9 candidates for OH/IR stars with SiC features in their envelopes. Further study indicates that 6 of these are definitely or very probably carbon star with the 11.3 μm SiC emission feature in addition of being OH/IR stars showing the 1612 MHz OH maser emission.     

A discussion on the mass loss formulae for OH/IR stars

It is found that the mass loss rate derived from S₂₅/S₁₂ is generally greater than that from the OH flux. This suggests an increasing loss rate with time. It is found that the gas-to-dust ratio decreases during the evolution Of OH/IR stars. An empirical relation between the gas-to-dust ratio and the dust mass loss rate is derived, leading to a formula for calculating the total mass loss rate directly from the IRAS 60 μm flux. OH/IR stars with silicate emission have a larger range of mass loss ratio, from 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻⁵ M/yr; those with silicate absorption, a smaller range between 10⁻⁵ and 10⁻⁴ M/yr. So a large increase in the mass loss rate takes place during the emission phase.     

具有碳化硅拱星壳层的OH／IR星

利用ＩＲＡＳ低分辨率光谱（ＬＲＳ）观测资料,从近２０００个具有１６１２ＭＨｚＯＨ发射的ＩＲＡＳ源中,发现９个具有碳化硅特征拱星壳层的ＯＨ／ＩＲ星的候选者．进一步的研究表明其中的６个确实或极有可能既是显示１１．３μｍ碳化硅发射特征的碳星,也是表现１６１２ＭＨｚＯＨ脉泽发射的ＯＨ／ＩＲ星     

OH／IR星的绝对K星等与距离

本文计算了一批ＯＨ／ＩＲ星的绝对Ｋ星等Ｍｋ，对ＯＨ／ＩＲ星的Ｍｋ和距离ｄ作了讨论。发现当Ｋ较亮时，Ｍｋ为一常数；当Ｋ较暗时，Ｍｋ较离散且呈现一定的变化趋势。本文还拟合得到了一个由Ｋ星等求距离的经验公式，并由此公式计算了一批ＯＨ／ＩＲ星的距离。最后，对所得结果进行了解释和讨论。     

关于OH/IR星的质量损失率计算公式的讨论

利用几种不同的半经验公式计算一批OH／IR星的质量损失率,并通过比较计算结果来讨论所用的公式．在一些情况下,计算质量损失率必须先给定气尘比．通过计算出样品星的气尘比,并讨论气尘比的变化情况,以修正由尘埃质量损失率到总质量损失率的关系式．     

对OH/IR星演化的模型研究

渐近巨星分支恒星 (AGB星 )是一种晚期演化恒星 ,它是恒星作为以核反应释能为发光能源的天体的最后演化阶段。AGB星阶段的恒星具有许多有趣的性质 ,如很大的质量损失率 (因此形成很厚的拱星尘埃气体包层 ) ,光变 ,热脉动 (或He闪耀 ) ,强的红外超量发射 ,分子脉泽发射等 ,弄清AGB星的演化规律是研究恒星演化理论的重要任务。目前人们所知道的AGB星的演化图景是 ,恒星经过漫长的主序演化之后 ,将经过红巨星 (RGB)阶段 ,然后才进入AGB阶段 ,在其演化过程中AGB星的光度和质量损失率要逐渐增大 ,它的光变周期也逐渐变长 ,在其中心星经历了一系列的由He核反应不稳定性引起的热脉动之后 ,它的质量损失很快停止 ,恒星开始向行星状星云 (PN)演化 ,最后行星状星云将会变成一个白矮星 ,这将是许多初始质量不很大的恒星的最终结局。OH/IR星阶段是AGB星演化的一个阶段 ,OH/IR星是那些质量稍大的恒星在AGB阶段后期演化而成的天体。现阶段人们对OH/IR星的具体演化过程还知道得很少。我们利用了球对称包层中的尘埃辐射转移模型来研究OH/IR星的演化性质 ,并且收集了尽量多的具有可靠距离的OH/IR星来研究他们的光度和质量损失率的演化性质。在本文的研究工作中 ,我们主要讨论了OH/IR星在远红外双色图中的分布规律 ,还发现     

VLA observations of extreme hydrogen deficient stars

VLA observations at 2 and 6 cm have been obtained for six hydrogen-deficient stars R CrB, HD 160641, BD — 9°4395, V348 Sgr, MV Sgr and Sgrv Upper limits to the massloss rates have been estimated for some of these using the upper limits to the radio flux density. National Radio Astronomy Observatory’s Very Large Array is operated by Associated Universities Inc. under contract with National Science Foundation, USA     

Analysis of the IR and sub-MM emission of four post-AGB stars

The goal of this work is to derive the physical properties of dust envelopes around post-AGB stars by means of radiative transfer calculations. The model spectral energy distributions (SEDs) have been compared with observational data of the post-AGB stars IRAS 10215-5916, 16342-3814, 17150-3224, and 19500-1709 in the wavelength range from 0.4 to 1300µm. The match between our model SEDs and the observational data is very satisfactory. As a result, we have obtained estimates of the inner and outer radii, the density, the temperature, and the mass of the envelopes of the four objects.     

The pattern speed of the OH/IR stars in the Milky Way

We show how the continuity equation can be used to determine pattern speeds in the Milky Way Galaxy (MWG). This method, first discussed by Tremaine & Weinberg in the context of external galaxies, requires projected positions, ( l , b ), and line-of-sight velocities for a spatially complete sample of relaxed tracers. If the local standard of rest (LSR) has a zero velocity in the radial direction ( u _LSR), then the quantity that is measured is  Δ V ≡Ω_p R ₀- V _LSR  , where Ω_p is the pattern speed of the non-axisymmetric feature, R ₀ is the distance of the Sun from the Galactic centre and V _LSR is the tangential motion of the LSR, including the circular velocity. We use simple models to assess the reliability of the method for measuring a single, constant pattern speed of either a bar or spiral in the inner MWG. We then apply the method to the OH/IR stars in the ATCA/VLA OH 1612-MHz survey of Sevenster et al., finding  Δ V =252±41 km s^-1,  if   u _LSR=0  . Assuming further that   R ₀=8 kpc  and   V _LSR=220 km s^-1,  this gives  Ω_p=59±5 km s^-1 kpc^-1  with a possible systematic error of perhaps 10 km s⁻¹ kpc⁻¹. The non-axisymmetric feature for which we measure this pattern speed must be in the disc of the MWG.     

XMM-Newton observations of the isolated neutron star 1RXS J214303.7+065419/RBS1774

We report XMM-Newton observations of the isolated neutron star RBS1774 and confirm its membership as an XDINS. The X-ray spectrum is best fit with an absorbed blackbody with temperature kT=101 eV and absorption edge at 0.7 keV. No power law component is required. An absorption feature in the RGS data at 0.4 keV is not evident in the EPIC data, but it is not possible to resolve this inconsistency. The star is not seen in the UV OM data to m _AB ∼21. There is a sinusoidal variation in the X-ray flux at a period of 9.437 s with an amplitude of 4%. The age as determined from cooling and magnetic field decay arguments is 10⁵–10⁶ yr for a neutron star mass of 1.35–1.5 M_⊙.      

Radio observations of the planetary nebula around the OH/IR star OH 354.88-0.54 (V1018 Sco)

We present radio observations of the unique, recently formed, planetary nebula (PN) associated with a very long-period OH/IR variable star V1018 Sco that is unequivocally still in its asymptotic giant branch phase. Two regions within the optical nebula are clearly detected in non-thermal radio continuum emission, with radio spectral indices comparable to those seen in colliding-wind Wolf–Rayet binaries. We suggest that these represent shocked interactions between the hot, fast stellar wind and the cold nebular shell that represents the PN's slow wind moving away from the central star. This same interface produces both synchrotron radio continuum and the optical PN emission. The fast wind is neither spherical in geometry nor aligned with any obvious optical or radio axis. We also report the detection of transient H₂O maser emission in this nebula.     

HST/STIS observations of sdBV stars: testing diffusion and pulsation theory

We present the initial results of an abundance analysis of echelle UV spectra of five hot subdwarf B (sdB) stars. These stars have been identified as core helium burning objects on the extreme Horizontal Branch. Around 5% of sdBs show short-period acoustic-mode oscillations. Models predict that these oscillations are due to an opacity bump caused by the ionisation of iron group elements. The necessary metal abundance has to be maintained by diffusive equilibrium between gravitational settling and radiative levitation. However, analyses of high-resolution optical spectra has revealed that we cannot discriminate between pulsating and non-pulsating sdBs on the basis of the surface iron abundance. We have therefore obtained HST/STIS observations of three pulsators and two non-pulsators in the near- and far-UV to measure the surface abundance of elements that are unobservable from the ground. The overall aim of our study is to test diffusion and pulsation calculations by searching for significant differences between these surface abundances.     

Short-wavelength infrared (1.3-2.6 μm) observations of the nucleus of Comet 19P/Borrelly

During the last two minutes before closest approach of Deep Space 1 to Comet 19P/Borrelly, a long exposure was made with the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) imaging spectrometer. The observation yielded 46 spectra covering 1.3-2.6 μm; the footprint of each spectrum was ∼160 m × width of the nucleus. Borrelly's highly variegated and extremely dark 8-km-long nucleus exhibits a strong red slope in its short-wavelength infrared reflection spectrum. This slope is equivalent to J-K and H-K colors of ∼0.82 and ∼0.43, respectively. Between 2.3-2.6 μm thermal emission is clearly detectable in most of the spectra. These data show the nucleus surface to be hot and dry; no trace of H₂O ice was detected. The surface temperature ranged continuously across the nucleus from ?300 K near the terminator to a maximum of ∼340 K, the expected sub-solar equilibrium temperature for a slowly rotating body. A single absorption band at ∼2.39 μm is quite evident in all of the spectra and resembles features seen in nitrogen-bearing organic molecules that are reasonable candidates for compositional components of cometary nuclei. However as of yet the source of this band is unknown.     

Dynamical constraints on some orbital and physical properties of the WD0137-349A/B binary system

In this paper I deal with the WD0137-349 binary system consisting of a white dwarf (WD) and a brown dwarf (BD) in a close circular orbit of about 116 min. I, first, constrain the admissible range of values for the inclination i by noting that, from looking for deviations from the third Kepler law, the quadrupole mass moment Q would assume unlikely large values, incompatible with zero at more than 1-sigma level for i≲35 deg and i≳43 deg. Then, by conservatively assuming that the most likely values for i are those that prevent such an anomalous behavior of Q, i.e. those for which the third Kepler law is an adequate modeling of the orbital period, I obtain i=39±2 deg. Such a result is incompatible with the value i=35 deg quoted in literature by more than 2 sigma. Conversely, it is shown that the white dwarf’s mass range obtained from spectroscopic measurements is compatible with my experimental range, but not for i=35 deg. As a consequence, my estimate of i yields an orbital separation of a=(0.59±0.05)R_⊙ and an equilibrium temperature of BD of T _eq=(2087±154) K which differ by 10% and 4%, respectively, from the corresponding values for i=35 deg.     

Observations of the OH Radical in Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) with the Nançay Radio Telescope

We present OH 18-cm observations of comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1) at the Nançay radio telescope. On nucleus and offset position observations allowed us to obtain both OH production rates and quenching radii. The maximum OH production rate was reached around perihelion, at about10³¹ s^-1.     

Space–VLBI observations of the OH maser OH 34.26+0.15: low interstellar scattering

We report on the first space–VLBI observations of the OH 34.26+0.15 maser in two main-line OH transitions at 1665 and 1667 MHz. The observations involved the space radio telescope on board the Japanese satellite HALCA and an array of ground radio telescopes. The map of the maser region and images of individual maser spots were produced with an angular resolution of 1 mas, which is several times higher than the angular resolution available on the ground. The maser spots were only partly resolved and a lower limit to the brightness temperature     was obtained. The maser seems to be located in the direction of low interstellar scattering, an order of magnitude lower than the scattering of a nearby extragalactic source and pulsar.     

IR band intensities of DC3N and HC3N: Implication for observations of Titan's atmosphere

We have obtained the infrared spectra and the corresponding absolute band intensities for two HC₃N isotopomers: DC₃N and HC₃¹⁵N. Our results for DC₃N are in good agreement with previous measurements except for the ν₂ and ν₃ stretching modes. For HC₃¹⁵N, this study is the first including intensity measurements.We have also studied the possible detection of these isotopomers in Titan's atmosphere using the CIRS spectrograph onboard the Cassini spacecraft. Our simulation of the expected spectra shows that for a signal-to-noise ratio better than 100, the ¹⁵N isotopomer of HC₃N could be detected. But, further study of HC₃N hot bands are needed since some of them overlap the HC₃¹⁵N Q-branch.     

Excitation and kinematics in H2 bow shocks: near-infrared observations of HH 99 and VLA 1623A (HH 313)

We present a comprehensive near-infrared study of two molecular bow shocks in two protostellar outflows, HH 99 in R Coronae Australis and VLA 1623A (HH 313) in Rho Ophiuchi. New, high-resolution, narrow-band images reveal the well-defined bow shock morphologies of both sources. These are compared with two-dimensional MHD modelling of molecular bows from which we infer flow inclination angles, shock speeds and the magnetic field in the pre-shock gas in each system. With combined echelle spectroscopy and low-resolution K -band spectra we further examine the kinematics and excitation of each source. Bow shock models are used to interpret excitation (CDR) diagrams and estimate the extinction and, in the case of VLA 1623, the ortho–para ratio associated with the observed H₂ population. For the first time, morphology, excitation and kinematics are fitted with a single bow shock model.
Specifically, we find that HH 99 is best fitted by a C-type bow shock model (although a J-type cap is probably responsible for the [Fe  ii ] emission). The bow is flowing away from the observer (at an angle to the line of sight of ∼45°) at a speed of roughly 100 km s⁻¹. VLA 1623A is interpreted in terms of a C-type bow moving towards the observer (at an angle to the line of sight of ∼75°) at a speed of ∼80 km s⁻¹. The magnetic field associated with HH 99 is thought to be orientated parallel to the flow axis; in VLA 1623A the field is probably oblique to the flow axis, since this source is clearly asymmetric in our H₂ images.