Simultaneous optical and ultraviolet observations of variability in HD 50896

In this paper, simultaneous optical and ultraviolet observations of spectral variability of the WN5 star HD 50896 are presented. Night-to-night and shorter timescale changes were found in the shape and intensity of most emission lines and P Cygni profiles in both wavelength ranges but there is no clear link between the ultraviolet and optical variability. There are some indications that the ultraviolet variations occur in phase with the well-known 3.766-day period often associated with this star.     

A spectrophotometric study of the Wolf-Rayet star HD 50896

New spectrophotometric observations of the Wolf-Rayet system HD 50896 are presented and interpreted in terms of its binary nature. The lines of N V, N IV and C IV show moderate variations, which can be explained using a binary model with a compact companion. He n λ4686 appears to arise from a larger region compared to other lines. The distortion caused by the wind can partly explain its flux variations. The emission fluxes of He I lines are generally constant indicating their non-participation in the orbit. The results are compared with other Wolf-Rayet binaries (V444 Cyg and CQ Cep) and the evolutionary status is discussed.     

Recent observations of the WR central star of the planetary nebula LMC-N66

The recent evolution of the central star of the planetary nebula LMC-N66 is presented. Before 1987, it showed a weak continuum with aT _eff120 000 K andL _bol25 000L and in a few years it developed strong WR features (P Cygni line profiles in N v at 124.0 nm and C IV at 155.0 nm, wide Heii emission, etc.) typical of a WN 4.5. Additionally the stellar continuum increased by a large factor and the absolute visual magnitude of the star changed from + 1.24 in 1987 to–2.57 in January, 1995. The WR features and enhanced continuum, evidencing a powerful mass-loss event remained with small variations for more than 5 years. Recent ultraviolet and optical data shows that the mass-loss seems to have diminished abruptly in the last three months.     

Wavelet analysis of Wolf-Rayet emission line variability:

A wavelet analysis technique is developed and used to study variable spectral features on top of broad emission lines in Wolf-Rayet stars. A decomposition of the signal in discrete structures allows one to look for scaling laws. Results from the study of two Wolf-Rayet stars suggest we are seeing the upper tail-end of a scaled distribution. This provides a test for turbulence models, and sets new constraints on theoretical wind models.     

Erratum: the 2.27 day period of WR-134 (HD 191765)

The original temporal analysis of a 12 night spectral timeseries of WR-134 has been found to be flawed and a re-analysis shows that the line profile variations are indeed periodic. When combined with a 4 night timeseries taken 45 days earlier, a period near 2.27 d is found in periodograms of the Heii 5412 line centroid,rms line width, and line skew variations. When the emission line residuals are ordered as a function of phase, a sinuous feature appears to snake about the line center with an amplitude of ± 500 km s^–1. This is 20 larger than the line centroid amplitude; the calculation of which is heavily weighted by static portions of the line profile. In addition to the snake, emission residuals appear that move away from line center on unbound trajectories and are thought to result from the interaction of a periodic driver with the unstable flow of the radiation driven wind. The nature of the periodic driver is a topic for discussion.     

Surface mapping in the CP4 star HD 21699

Spectra obtained on photographic plates with the Coudé-spectrograph of the 2-m telescope of BNAO - Rozhen have been used to map the helium surface distribution of the He-w star HD 21699. One-spot model has been determined to fit the observed periodic variations of the equivalent widths. The results show one large He-weak spot situated around the positive magnetic pole.     

Photometric variability of the Herbig Ae/Be star HD 200775

We present results of photometric monitoring of HD 200775 in the passbands X and V of the VILGEN system obtained over the period from September 1994 to May 1995. It is shown that the star varies with a period of 10.225±0.041 days and an amplitude of 0.02 mag in X passband. The variations on the time scale of several hours and/or days are also confirmed.     

First wavelet analysis of emission line variations in Wolf-Rayet stars

The quantification of stochastic substructures seen propagating away from the centers of emission lines of Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars is extended using the powerful, objective technique of wavelet analysis. Results for the substructures in one WR star so far show that the scaling laws between (a) flux and velocity dispersion and (b) lifetime and flux, combined with (c) their mass spectrum, strongly support the hypothesis that we are seeing the high mass tail-end distribution of full-scale supersonic compressible turbulence in the winds. This turbulence sets in beyond a critical radius from the star and shows remarkable similarity to the hierarchy of cloudlets seen in giant molecular clouds and other components of the ISM.The velocity dispersion is larger on average for substructures (interpreted as density enhanced turbulent eddies) propagating towards or away from the observer, suggesting that the turbulence is anisotropic. This is not surprising, since the most likely force which drives the windand the ensuing turbulence alike, radiation pressure, is directed outwards in all directions from the star. It is likely that a similar kind of turbulence prevails in the winds of all hot stars, of which those of WR stars are the most extreme.The consequences of clumping in winds are numerous. One of the most important is the necessary reduction in the estimate of the mass-loss rates compared to smooth outflow models.     

Photometric, spectroscopic and polarimetric variability of the weak-emission T Tauri star HD 288313

Photometric observations over three seasons show HD 288313 to be a light variable with a 2.2636-d period. The observed V amplitudes lie in the range of 0.06–0.15 mag. The star showed appreciable changes in the brightness at maximum and minimum of the light curve from season to season. The (   b − y   ) colour did not show any significant variation during the photometric cycle. The light variation appears to be caused by the rotational modulation of stellar flux by cool starspots distributed asymmetrically across the stellar longitudes. The Hα line strength in HD 288313 varied drastically from completely filled-in emission to almost full absorption, that is typical of a normal star of similar spectral type. The Hα equivalent width is found to show a clear rotational modulation only occasionally. Most of the time, chromospheric active regions are distributed well across the stellar longitudes, thereby suppressing obvious rotational modulations. Broad-band linear polarization measurements show HD 288313 to be a short period, low-amplitude polarization variable. The polarization variation is, apparently, rotationally modulated. Dust grain scattering in a non-spherical circumstellar envelope of a star with inhomogeneities in the surface brightness distribution seems to be the mechanism operating in producing the observed polarization.     

Chemical spots on the surface of the strongly magnetic Herbig Ae star HD 101412

Due to the knowledge of the rotation period and the presence of a rather strong surface magnetic field, the sharp‐lined young Herbig Ae star HD 101412 with a rotation period of 42 d has become one of the most well‐studied targets among the Herbig Ae stars. High‐resolution HARPS polarimetric spectra of HD 101412 were recently obtained on seven different epochs. Our study of the spectral variability over the part of the rotation cycle covered by HARPS observations reveals that the line profiles of the elements Mg, Si, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, and Sr are clearly variable while He exhibits variability that is opposite to the behaviour of the other elements studied. Since classical Ap stars usually show a relationship between the magnetic field geometry and the distribution of element spots, we used in our magnetic field measurements different line samples belonging to the three elements with the most numerous spectral lines, Ti, Cr, and Fe. Over the time interval covered by the available spectra, the longitudinal magnetic field changes sign from negative to positive polarity. The distribution of field values obtained using Ti, Cr, and Fe lines is, however, completely different compared to the magnetic field values determined in previous low‐resolution FORS 2 measurements, where hydrogen Balmer lines are the main contributors to the magnetic field measurements, indicating the presence of concentration of the studied iron‐peak elements in the region of the magnetic equator. Further, we discuss the potential role of contamination by the surrounding warm circumstellar matter in the appearance of Zeeman features obtained using Ti lines. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Pulsation in the pre-main-sequence Herbig Ae star HD 142666

Asteroseismology of pre-main-sequence δ Scuti stars has the potential not only to provide unprecedented constraints on models of these stars, but also to allow for the possibility of detecting evolutionary period changes, thus providing a direct measure of the pre-main-sequence evolutionary time-scale. In the last two years, the published number of such stars known has doubled from four to eight. Searches are now being conducted amongst the Herbig Ae stars, which are considered to be excellent candidates. We announce the discovery of δ Scuti pulsation in one Herbig Ae star, HD 142666, which lies within Marconi & Palla's theoretically predicted instability strip for pre-main-sequence stars, making this the ninth known pre-main-sequence δ Scuti star. We also demonstrate a lack of δ Scuti pulsation in another such star, HD 142527.     

Absolute properties of the neglected eclipsing B-type binary HD 194495

We present the results of the high-resolution spectroscopic observations of the neglected binary system HD 194495 (B3 IV-V+B4 V). A combined analysis of three different photometric data set (Tycho B_T and V_T photometry, H_p-band data of Hipparcos and V-band data of ASAS3 photometry) and radial velocities indicates that the system has an orbital period of 4.90494 ± 0.00005 days and an inclination of 69 ± 1 degrees. This solution yields masses and radii of M₁ = 7.57 ± 0.08 M_⊙ and R₁ = 5.82 ± 0.03 R_⊙ for the primary and M₂ = 5.46 ± 0.09 M_⊙ and R₂ = 3.14 ± 0.08 R_⊙ for the secondary. Based on the position of the two stars plotted on a theoretical H-R diagram, we find that the age of the system is ?28 Myr, according to stellar evolutionary models. The spectroscopic and photometric results are in agreement with those obtained using theoretical predictions.     

HD 12098 and other results from Nainital-Cape Survey

Nainital-Cape Survey was started with an aim to search for new rapidly oscillating Ap stars in the northern hemisphere. We discovered one new mono-periodic roAp star HD 12098. The frequency separation of HD 12098 suggests a rotation period of 5.5 days for the star. We summarize here the observations of HD 12098 and briefly discuss the results of the multi-site observation campaign organized to resolve the ambiguity in the determination of the rotation period of HD 12098. Other interesting results like non-oscillating Ap stars discovered and two candidate stars in which roAp periodicity is seen but not confirmed are also discussed.     

X-ray Observations of Binary and Single Wolf-Rayet Stars with XMM-Newton and Chandra

We present an overview of recent X-ray observations of Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars with XMM-Newton and Chandra. These observations are aimed at determining the differences in X-ray properties between massive WR + OB binary systems and putatively single WR stars. A new XMM spectrum of the nearby WN8 + OB binary WR 147 shows hard absorbed X-ray emission (including the Fe Kα line complex), characteristic of colliding wind shock sources. In contrast, sensitive observations of four of the closest known single WC (carbon-rich) WR stars have yielded only non-detections. These results tentatively suggest that single WC stars are X-ray quiet. The presence of a companion may thus be an essential factor in elevating the X-ray emission of WC + OB stars to detectable levels.     

Photometric observations of the central star of the planetary nebula NGC 2346 in 1991/1992

Photoelectric UBV observations of the central star of the planetary nebula NGC 2346 obtained during 60 nights between October 1991 and February 1992 are presented (Tables 1 and 2). Four minima have been stated and can be interpreted in terms of occulting dust clouds, probably representing dense condensations of the planetary nebula. We derived R = A_V/E_B—V = 4.0.     

The southern active-chromosphere star HD 6628

The star HD 6628, heretofore classified as a G5 subgiant, is shown to be a chromospherically active single-lined spectroscopic binary with a period of 27.332±0.008 d. From high-resolution spectra, the system is found to consist of a late F-type dwarf and an active G8–K1 bright subgiant, the latter having a rotation period of not more than 14.8±3.8 d derived from the width of metal lines. Further stellar and orbital parameters are derived and presented.     

The circumstellar disc around the Herbig AeBe star HD169142

We present 7 mm and 3.5 cm wavelength continuum observations towards the Herbig AeBe star HD169142 performed with the Very Large Array (VLA) with an angular resolution of ≃1 arcsec. We find that this object exhibits strong (≃4.4 mJy), unresolved (≲1 arcsec) 7 mm continuum emission, being one of the brightest isolated Herbig AeBe stars ever detected with the VLA at this wavelength. No emission is detected at 3.5 cm continuum, with a 3σ upper limit of ≃0.08 mJy. From these values, we obtain a spectral index α≳ 2.5 in the 3.5 cm to 7 mm wavelength range, indicating that the observed flux density at 7 mm is most likely dominated by thermal dust emission coming from a circumstellar disc. We use available photometric data from the literature to model the spectral energy distribution (SED) of this object from radio to near-ultraviolet frequencies. The observed SED can be understood in terms of an irradiated accretion disc with low mass accretion rate,     , surrounding a star with an age of ≃10 Myr. We infer that the mass of the disc is ≃0.04 M_⊙, and is populated by dust grains that have grown to a maximum size of 1 mm everywhere, consistent with the lack of silicate 10 μm emission. These features, as well as indications of settling in the wall at the dust destruction radius, led us to speculate that the disc of HD169142 is in an advanced stage of dust evolution, particularly in its inner regions.     

Rosat X-ray observations of the WR stars HD 50896 (WN5) andγ velorum (WC8+O9I)

We present a preliminary analysis of multiple X-ray (0.1–2.5 keV) observations of HD 50896 andγ Velorum obtained with theROSAT satellite. For HD 50896, our 8 observations show variability at the 30% level on timescales of ～ 1 day, together with larger (× 1.7) epoch-changes, but no evidence for rapid variability. No phase-dependent modulation is apparent on the 3^d.766 optical period. The mean PSPC spectrum gives kT = 0.28 keV, log N(H) = 20.6, and L_x = 3.8 × 10³² erg s^?1, and implies that the observed X-rays have undergone little absorption in the WN5 wind. Forγ Velorum, we have 13 observations secured over several cycles in the 78^d.5 binary period. At most binary phases, the X-ray emission is relatively constant, with kT ? 0.19 keV, log N(H) = 20.2, and L_x = 2.5 × 10³¹ erg s^?1. Near orbital phase 0.5, the X-ray emission is enhanced by a factor of 4, due almost entirely to an additional harder component with kT ≥ 2 keV. We believe this is due to X-ray emission produced in the collision of the two stellar winds.     

HD 101065, the most peculiar star: First results from precise radial velocity study

In this paper we discuss the prospects for asteroseismology with spatial resolution and motivate studies of the most chemically peculiar roAp star HD 101065. We present the first results from a high-precision radial velocity (RV) study of HD 101065 based on data spanning four nights that were acquired using the HARPS echelle-spectrometer at the ESO 3.6 m telescope. The analysis of individual nights showed the amplitude and phase modulation of the dominant mode. The analysis of the whole data set showed the presence of multi-periodic oscillations with two groups of equally-spaced modes. We find Δυ = 65.2μHz and δυ = 7.3μHz for the large and the small spacing, respectively. HD 101065 is the only roAp star to show the existence of two groups ofl = 0, 2 andl = 1, 3 excited modes.