Photometric calibration of the CCD camera of 1-m telescope at VBO

Calibration of the CCD camera of the 1m telescope at the Vainu Bappu Observatory, Kavalur, to theB V R system is reported here based on the observations of stars in the ‘dipper asterism’ in the open cluster M 67 (NGC 2682). Transformations involvingB andV have negligible colour terms, while those involvingR are slightly colour dependent. The possibility of using scaled-downR band fluxes to estimate the continuum flux at Hα is investigated by comparing the counts inR band with those through an interference filter centred at Hα. The scaling factor is found to remain constant over a wide range of colours. The sensitivity of the telescope-filter-CCD combination is estimated to be 2.0 per cent, 8.3 per cent and 9.7 per cent inB, V andR bands, respectively. The star F117 appears to be a small-amplitude (∼ 0.05 mag) variable.     

疏散星团M67的初始质量函数

本文利用合理的成员判定方法对典型年老疏散星团Ｍ６７进行了成员判定，直接得到了该团存在空间和速度空间质量分层效应的结论。在研究ＰＤＬＦ和ＰＤＭＦ时，我们还合理地作了由分析样本天区不完备而带来的修正。最后，从理论上提出了一种动力学演化对疏散星团ＩＭＰ影响的简易而普适的修正方法，利用该方法得到了Ｍ６７在０．７Ｍ⊙≤Ｍ≤１．３Ｍ⊙间ＩＭＦ的斜率为－１．６７±０．０９，与Ｍｉｌｌｅｒ和Ｓｃａｌｏ场星ＩＭＦ斜率较相符，并对该值的合理性进行了讨论。     

CCD photometry of the Galactic globular cluster M13

In this paper, we present a B − V CCD colour–magnitude diagram (CMD) of the globular cluster M13 (NGC 6205), reaching down about 2 mag below the main sequence turn-off, based on a new, independent photometric calibration.
The most notable features of the CMD, including about 5500 stars, are (i) the long extension of the blue tail of the horizontal branch (HB), which can be traced down to V ∼19 and (moreover) shows the presence of two gaps; and (ii) the so-called bump on the red giant branch which is well-detected at V =14.75±0.05, using both the differential and integral luminosity functions.
No similar features have ever been detected in any previous ground-based photometry of this cluster.
A direct comparison between the CMD of M13 and M3, calibrated during the same run with the same apparatus, sets an upper limit of about 1.5 Gyr on their age difference, too small to explain the striking differences between their HB morphologies.     

CCD photometry of RV tau stars. VI. TX ophiuchii

Photometric observations of the variable star TX Oph were performed with CCD photometers during the observing seasons of 1999, 2000, and 2002. Analysis of these observations together with published data has confirmed the mean period of the main variability cycle P = 135^d. 2613 over almost 70 years. A secondary cycle with a period of about 10–12 thousand days has also been found.     

CCD photometry of RV rau stars. VII. EP lyrae

Photometric observations of the variable star EP Lyr were performed with a CCD photometer during the observing season of 2002. Analysis of these observations together with published data has confirmed the mean period of the main variability cycle P = 83.^d248 over almost 100 years. The periodicity of the variations in the main cycle is investigated on the basis of O-C diagrams. The time scale of its variations ranges from 1–2 to 8–20 thousand days.     

CCD photometry inVRI bands of the galactic cluster NGC 2818

bdAbstract The open cluster NGC 2818 containing a planetary nebula has been observed inVRI bands using the CCD system at prime focus of the 2.3-metre Vainu Bappu Telescope. The study extending to starsV ∼ 21 magnitude establishes the distance modulus as(m-M) ₀ = 12.9 ±0.1 for the cluster. Based on the fitting of theoretical isochrones computed for solar metallicity, an age of 5(±1) × 10₈ years has been assigned to the cluster. Association of the planetary nebula with the cluster indicates that the progenitor mass of the planetary nebula on the main sequence is ≥2.5M_⊙ Based on observations obtained with the Vainu Bappu Telescope.     

Gain calibration of CCD systems at VBO

The system gain of two CCD systems in regular use at the Vainu Bappu Observatory, Kavalur, is determined at a few gain settings. The procedure used for the determination of system gain and base-level noise is described in detail. The Photometrics CCD system at the 1-m reflector uses a Thomson-CSF TH 7882 CDA chip coated for increased ultraviolet sensitivity. The gain is programme-selected through the parameter ‘cgain’ varying between 0 and 4095 in steps of 1. The inverse system gain for this system varies almost linearly from 27.7 electrons DN^-1 at cgain = 0 to 1.5 electrons DN^-1 at cgain = 500. The readout noise is ≲ 11 electrons at cgain = 66. The Astromed CCD system at 2.3-m Vainu Bappu Telescope uses a GEC P8603 chip which is also coated for enhanced ultraviolet sensitivity. The amplifier gain is selected in discrete steps using switches in the controller. The inverse system gain is 4.15 electrons DN^-1 at the gain setting of 9.2, and the readout noise ∼ 8 electrons.     

CCD photometry of asteroids (58) Concordia, (360) Carlova and (405) Thia

Three selected asteroids, numbered 58, 360 and405, were observed during 2000at Yunnan Observatory, China. Thenew lightcurves are presented inthis paper. The synodic period of (58)Concordia is estimated as 9.90 ± 0.01hfor the first time. The synodic period of (405) Thia derived from ourobservation is 9.96 ± 0.01h, which is slightly different from the previousresult. For 360, we obtained the synodic period of 6.18 ± 0.02h which isconsistent with previous values. Additionally, the BV and UB-colourindexes for the three asteriods were also determined.     

BVRI photometry of possible standard stars in NGC 188

CCD photometry of possible standard stars, in Cousins B, V, R and I, in a field in the region of NGC 188 is presented.     

Investigation of clusters of galaxies II. A two colour photometry for the cluster Abell 1795

Eine photographische Photometrie in B and V wurde für den cD-Haufen A 1795 durchgeführt. Dieser Haufen liegt in der Nähe des galaktischen Nordpols. Unser Katalog enthält 721 Galaxien in einem Gebiet von 1.6 ° um das Haufenzentrum.     

Narrow-band CCD photometry of giant H ii regions

We have obtained accurate CCD narrow-band Hβ and Hα photometry of giant H  ii regions (GEHRs) in M33, NGC 6822 and M101. Comparison with previous determinations of emission-line fluxes shows large discrepancies; their probable origins are discussed. Combining our new photometric data with global velocity dispersion ( σ ) derived from emission linewidths, we review the     relation. A re-analysis of the properties of the GEHRs included in our sample shows that age spread and the superposition of components in multiple regions introduce a considerable spread in the regression. Combining the information available in the literature regarding ages of the associated clusters, evolutionary footprints on the interstellar medium, and kinematical properties of the knots that build up the multiple GEHRs, we find that a subsample – which we refer to as young and single GEHRs – do follow a tight relation in the     plane.     

New age estimates of M31 globular clusters from multicolour photometry

The large majority of extragalactic star cluster studies performed to date essentially use multicolour photometry, combined with theoretical stellar synthesis models, to derive ages, masses, extinction estimates and metallicities. M31 offers a unique laboratory for studies of globular cluster (GC) systems. In this paper, we obtain new age estimates for 91 M31 GCs, based on improved photometric data, updated theoretical stellar synthesis models and sophisticated new fitting methods. In particular, we used photometric measurements from the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS), which, in combination with optical photometry, can partially break the well-known age–metallicity degeneracy operating at ages in excess of a few Gyr. We show robustly that previous age determinations based on photometric data were affected significantly by this age–metallicity degeneracy. Except for one cluster, the ages of our other sample GCs are all older than 1 Gyr. Their age distribution shows populations of young- and intermediate-age GCs, peaking at ∼3 and 8 Gyr, respectively, as well as the 'usual' complement of well-known old GCs, i.e. GCs of similar age as the majority of the Galactic GCs. Our results also show that although there is significant scatter in metallicity at any age, there is a notable lack of young metal-poor and old metal-rich GCs, which might be indicative of an underlying age–metallicity relationship among the M31 GC population.     

RR Lyrae variables in the globular cluster M3 (NGC 5272) — I. BVI CCD photometry

New BVI CCD photometry is presented for 60 RR Lyrae variables in the globular cluster M3. Light curves have been constructed and ephemerides have been (re)-derived for all of them. Four stars (i.e. V29, V136, V155 and V209), although recognized as variables, had no previous period determinations. Also, the period derived for V129 is significantly different from the one published by Sawyer-Hogg. Light curve parameters, i.e. mean magnitudes, amplitudes and rise times, have been derived.   The discussion of these results in the framework of the stellar evolution and pulsation theories will be presented in a forthcoming paper.     

疏散星团M67成员星的两点相关分析

对著名老年疏散星团M67的成员星进行了两点相关函数分析,讨论了团星的空间分布情况及质量分层现象.结果表明:M67成员星的两点相关函数能很好地用幂律形式来描述,其成员星在空间分布上具有显著的成团性和自相似性.对M67不同光度成员星两点自相关函数的分析表明,亮星相比暗星具有更强的相关强度和更大的相关指数,说明在星团内部出现了明显的空间质量分层现象,亮星比暗星具有更强的成团性和更大的中心聚度.不同光度成员星间两点交叉相关函数的分析进一步表明,不同光度成员星之间并没有表现出绝对的空间质量分层现象,亮星和暗星在空间分布上相互交织、相互渗透.     

Direct N-body modelling of stellar populations: blue stragglers in M67

We present a state-of-the-art N -body code which includes a detailed treatment of stellar and binary evolution as well as the cluster dynamics. This code is ideal for investigating all aspects relating to the evolution of star clusters and their stellar populations. It is applicable to open and globular clusters of any age. We use the N -body code to model the blue straggler population of the old open cluster M67. Preliminary calculations with our binary population synthesis code show that binary evolution alone cannot explain the observed numbers or properties of the blue stragglers. On the other hand, our N -body model of M67 generates the required number of blue stragglers and provides formation paths for all the various types found in M67. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the cluster environment in modifying the nature of the stars it contains, and highlights the importance of combining dynamics with stellar evolution. We also perform a series of N =10 000 simulations in order to quantify the rate of escape of stars from a cluster subject to the Galactic tidal field.