Orbite de l'etoile double visuelle ADS 1538 = Σ 186

The physical and orbital elements of the binary star ADS 1538 = Σ 168 (α₁₉₀₀ = 01^h50^m.7, δ₁₉₀₀ = +01°21'; α₂₀₀₀ = 01^h55^m·8, δ₂₀₀₀ = +01°51') are determined. The absolute visual magnitudes of the two components are 4^m.04 resp. 4^m.17, the masses 1.34 M_⊙ resp. 1.29 M_⊙.     

The irregular galaxy Cassiopeia 1 – a new member of the Local group

A photometry in the V, R, I (Cousins) system has been performed for stars in the galaxy Cassiopeia 1. The resulting colour-agnitude (CM) diagram of Cas 1 reveals the existence of blue stars and the absence of red ones. From an analysis of the CM diagram of the galaxy it is concluded that A_v = 4.0 mag, and the distance modulus (m – M)_o = 24.5 mag, corresponding to a distance of 790 kpc. The visual magnitude of the galaxy is V = 14^m.62 (M_v = −13^m.8) and the colour index (V – R) = 0.89 mag. From the distance determination the galaxy Cassiopeia 1 is a member of the Local group.     

Integrated luminosity distribution of Galactic open clusters

The integrated magnitudes of 221 Galactic open clusters have been used to derive the luminosity function. The completeness of the data has also been discussed. In the luminosity distribution the maximum frequency of clusters occurs nearI (M_v) = −3 _m ^. 5, and some plausible reasons for a sharp cut-off atI (M_v) = −2^m. 0 have been discussed. It is concluded that the paucity of the clusters fainter thanI (M _v) = −2 _m ^.0 is not purely due to selection effects. The surface density of the clusters for different magnitude intervals has. been obtained using the completeness radius estimated from the logN- logd plots. A relation betweenI (M^v) and surface density has been obtained which yields a steeper slope than that obtained by van den Bergh & Lafontaine (1984).     

Observations of variable stars with the R Coronae Borealis phenomenon and other unique objects

The results of photometry and polarimetry of the R Coronae Borealis type stars and other interesting objects are given. The observation of the former objects are obtained at the light maximum or at a brightness lower by 2-3 mag. The polarization of R CrB stars at light maximum has interstellar origin. The absolute magnitude of V 854 Cen is estimated to Ms_vw = −3^m, and for Y Mus it is M_v > −3^m.7. ρ Cas has a variable polarization and is probably a giant (M_v ≅ 0^m) rather than a supergiant. Many early stars in its surroundings are photometrically and polarimetrically variable. The protoplanetary star BD −0°3679 has a polarization with the Rayleigh component.     

Multicolour photoelectric photometry of the open cluster NGC 752

In the open cluster NGC 752, 89 stars are observed in the Vilnius seven-colour photometric system, including probable members fainter than observed hitherto. Spectral classification of observed stars are made and individual reddening values are determined. The mean reddening of the cluster stars is equivalentE(B - V) = 0 _. ^m 025. By fitting on colour index-magnitude diagrams the cluster Main Sequence with the Hyades one the distance modulus (m - M)₀ = 8 _. ^m 15 ± 0 _. ^m 15 is found. For 11 red giant members of the cluster absolute magnitudes are derived and compared with ones of the standard calibration. It is obtained that the cluster giants are in mean 0 _. ^m 6 fainter than giants of corresponding spectral class in the solar vicinity.     

Estimating the Luminosity Function of M51-Type Galaxies

A new sample of M51-type galaxies consisting of 46 systems is used to estimate the B-band luminosity function. The luminosity function for the primary components of the systems can be described by a Schechter function with the parameters _* = (1.4±0.3)×10^-5 Mpc^-3, = -1.3^+0.4 _-0.3, and M _* = -20.3^+0.2 _-0.1. The values of the latter two parameters are comparable to those for isolated galactic pairs. The resulting estimate of the average density of M51-type galaxies is (4±3)% of the average density of isolated pairs for luminosities in the range -22^m.0<M<-16^m.0     

Detached eclipsing binaries: analysis of BD–00° 3357

Detached eclipsing binaries constitute potential accurate distance tracers. They are also useful as the test bench of stellar evolution. In BD–00° 3357 eclipses are partial and its orbital period is 1.^d4. Our combined spectroscopic and photometric solution yields secure parameters of this system. The model of the star was obtained using the Wilson‐Devinney method. As result we obtained a semi major axis of 7.65 R_⊙ and a mass ratio of 0.78. The derived masses and radii are M ₁ = 1.73 M_⊙,M ₂ = 1.34 M_⊙R ₁ = 1.78 R_⊙, R ₂ = 1.32 R_⊙, respectively. These values correspond to the slightly evolved F0 and F6.5 components, both slightly less than 1Gyr old. The distance of the star was estimated to be 310 ± 60 pc, and the corresponding photometric parallax is 3.24 ± 0.74 mas. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Selection,Statistics and Photometry of Compact Galaxies with Different Instrumental Equipment. Part I

On plates taken with 2 different photographic telescopes compact galaxies in 3 fields near M₃ and M₉₂ were selected. The integral magnitudes and maximum angular diameters of the compacts were determined. The RITCHEY -CHRéTIEN telescope of the FIGL Observatory for Astrophysics (FOA) with a focal ratio of 1:8.3 has a scale of 1 mm = 16.3, while the Tautenburg SCHMIDT with 1:3.2 has a scale of 1 mm ≌ 52°. From the selection statistics for both telescopes results nearly the same number of objects (50) up to 18^m.5 in V in a field of 1.5□°.60% of these objects are identical. An integral photometry on B plates of the same limiting magnitude from both telescopes leads to nearly the same brightness of objects, while they are o^m.5 fainter on FOA V plates. Because of its smaller focal ratio this telescope does not record the halo parts of the compacts. This is clearly demonstrated by the maximum equidensitometric diameters which on FAO plates are on the average only half of those determined on Tautenburg plates. A diameter magnitude diagram is shown.     

Low‐temperature primordial gas in merging halos

The thermal regime of the baryons behind shock waves arising in the process of virialization of dark matter halos is governed at certain conditions by radiation of HD lines. A small fraction of the shocked gas can cool down to the temperature of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). We estimate an upper limit for this fraction: at z = 10 it increases sharply from about q_T ∼ 10^–3 for dark halos of M = 5 × 10⁷ M_⊙ to ∼ 0.1 for halos with M = 10⁸ M_⊙. Further increase of the halo mass does not lead however to a significant growth of q_T – the asymptotic value for M ≫ 10⁸ M_⊙ is 0.3. We estimate the star formation rate associated with such shock waves, and show that they can provide a small but not negligible fraction of the star formation. We argue that extremely metal‐poor low‐mass stars in the Milky Way may have been formed from primordial gas behind such shocks. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The Diameter of (106) Dione

The mean diameter D = 147 ± 3 km of (106) Dione is derived from visual observations in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands of the occultation of AGK₃ + 25°0989 on 1983 January 19. Photoelectric magnitudes are: B(1, 2°.4) = 8^m.51 ± 0^m.06 and B – V = 0^m.65 ± 0^m.07. The visual albedo is pv = .064. Constraints on the axis of rotation are derived from the observed elliptical contour.     

Some special restricted four-body problems—II. From Caledonia to Copenhagen

Special analytical solutions are determined for restricted, coplanar, four-body equal mass problems, including the Caledonian problem, where the masses M_i = M for i = 1,2,3,4. Most of these solutions are shown to reduce to the Lagrange solutions of the Copenhagen problem of three bodies by reducing two of the masses (m_i = m for i = 1,2) in the four-body equal mass problem to zero while maintaining their equality of mass. In so doing, families of special solutions to the four-body problem are shown to exist for any value of the mass ratio μ = m/M.     

The short‐period low‐mass binary system CC Com revisited

In this study we determined precise orbital and physical parameters of the very short‐period low‐mass contact binary system CC Com. The parameters are obtained by analysis of new CCD data combined with archival spectroscopic data. The physical parameters of the cool and hot components are derived as M_c = 0.717(14) M_⊙, M_h = 0.378(8) M_⊙, R_c = 0.708(12) R_⊙, R_h = 0.530(10) R_⊙, L_c = 0.138(12) L_⊙, and L_h = 0.085(7) L_⊙, respectively, and the distance of the system is estimated as 64(4) pc. The times of minima obtained in this study and with those published before enable us to calculate the mass transfer rate between the components which is 1.6 × 10^–8 M_⊙ yr^–1. Finally, we discuss the possible evolutionary scenario of CC Com (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Physical studies of asteroids IX: The light curve of the M asteroid 77 Frigga

The results of photoelectricUBV observations of asteroid 77 Frigga during the 1982 opposition are presented. From eight nights of observations at phase angles smaller than 2 _o ^. 8 a synodic period of 0 _d ^. 3755±0 _d ^. 0006 is derived. The light curve appears very symmetric with two maxima per period and an amplitude of 0 _m ^. 19. The primary maximum corresponds toV(0^o)=8 _m ^. 58, and the colour indices are:B–V = 0 _. ^m 738 ± 0 _. ^m 003 andU–B = 0 _. ^m 200 ± 0 _. ^m 002.     

Der offene sternhaufen NGC 6067

The open star cluster NGC 6067 was investigated by the strip method on charts of photographs with different exposure times taken with the 1-m Schmidt telescope of the European Southern Observatory. Because of the large distance (1820 pc) of the cluster its luminosity function is known up to date only betweenM _v =–4.5 andM _v =+1.5. In this paper it is continued toM _v =4.4 and further extrapolated by means of 2 variants. The cluster contains 419 respectively 476 stars with total masses of 1453 resp. 1483. On account of its radius of 5.9 pc the cluster is a rather extended object, which can be described by the generalized density law of Schuster withn=4.42 and the central star density 8.9 stars pc^–3. The mean velocity of the stars amounts to 1.03 km s^–1, the massbrightness relation is 0.031 in solar units.

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Mitteilungen Serie A.     

Measuring ΩM and ΩΛ with long‐duration gamma‐ray bursts

Gamma‐ray bursts (GRBs) are one of the most luminous events in the Universe. In addition, the Universe itself is almost transparent to γ ‐rays, making GRBs detectable up to very high redshifts. As a result, GRBs are very suitable to probe the cosmological parameters. This work shows the potential of long‐duration GRBs for measuring the cosmological parameters Ω_M and Ω_Λ by comparing the observed log N ‐log P distribution with the theoretical one. Provided that the GRBs rate and luminosity function are well determined, the best values and 1σ confidence intervals obtained are Ω_M = 0.22^+0.05_–0.03 and Ω_Λ = 1.06^+0.05_–0.10. Finally, a set of simulations show the ability of the method to measure Ω_M and Ω_Λ (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Astrometric study of the relative motion of three stars with possible invisible companions based on homogeneous series obtained at Pulkovo with a 26-inch refractor

We investigate the relative motion of three stars, ADS 7446, 9346, and 9701, based on long-term observations with the Pulkovo 26-inch refractor. The relative motion of all three stars shows a perturbation that could be produced by the gravitational influence of an invisible companion. For ADS 7446, we have determined the orbit of the photocenter with a period of 7.9 yr; the mass of the companion is more than 0.4M _⊙. For ADS 9346, we have determined the radial velocities of the components: −14.60 km s⁻¹ for A and −13.94 km s⁻¹ for B. For ADS 9346 and 9701, we have determined the dynamical parallaxes, 24 and 20 mas, respectively, which are larger than those in the Hipparcos catalog by 5 mas, and calculated the orbits by the apparent motion parameter (AMP) method. The new orbit of ADS 9346 is: a = 5″.2, P = 2035 yr, and e = 0.46 at the system’s mass M = 2.5M _⊙. The new orbits of ADS 9701 are: (a = 2″.9, P = 829 yr, e = 0.54, M = 4.3M _⊙) and (a = 3″.8, P = 1157 yr, e = 0.53, M = 5.0M _⊙).     

V792 Her=HD 155638: A totally eclipsing RS CVn binary

Photometry of HD 155638=V792 Her has been analyzed to determine the elements of this totally eclipsing RS CVn binary. The light variation outside eclipse was found to have a period of 27^d.07±0^d.07, which is slightly different from the 27^d.5384±0^d.0045 orbital period. Analysis of the eclipses was achieved by a modification of the Russell-Merrill technique. With the aid of radial velocity measures, absolute elements were obtained for the hot and cool stars, respectively;R _h=2.58R ,R _c=12.28R ,M _h=1.40M ,M _c=1.46M ,i=80^o.61 and velocity semi-amplitudesK _c=48.36 km s^–1±0.79 km s^–1, andK _h=50.50 km s^–1±0.33 km s^–1. The apparent magnitudes areV _h=9 ^m .73 andV _c=8 ^m .48. The distance to HD 155638 was estimated to be 310 parsecs.     

VV Orionis – improved elements

TheUBV light curves obtained by Duerbeck (1975) andHa (wide) and Ha (narrow) light curves obtained by Chambliss & Davan (1987) of the detached eclipsing binary VV Orionis (VV Ori) were analysed using the Wilson-Devinney method fixing the two parametersT _h (25,000 K) and q(0.4172), resulting in the following absolute elements:A = 13.605 ± 0.03 LR_⊙,R _h = 5.03 ±0.03R _⊙, R_c = 2.43 ±0.02R _⊙,M _bol,h = -5.18 ± 0.11,M _bol,c = -1.54 ± 0.06,m _h =10.81 + 0.42m _⊙ andm _c = 4.51 ± 0.41m _⊙. The de-reddened colours obtained from applying the reddening corrections ofE(B-V) = 0^m.05 andE(U-B) = O ^m .04, and the derived temperatures of the components, gave spectral types ofB 1.5V for the primary and 54-5V with anUV excess of 0 ^m ·3 for the secondary component. A comparison of the logL and logT _e of the components with the observed ZAMS shows the primary component to be a little above and the secondary component to be a little below/or on the ZAMS. A comparison of the properties of the components of VV Ori and a few other detached systems with the normal stars in the logL, logR and logT _e versus logm planes, indicated a need for either a readjustment of the scales of the above parameters or modifications in the theoretical models. From the position of the components on the evolutionary tracks of Pop I composition computed by Schaller et al. (1992) it is noticed that while the primary component of W Ori had slightly evolved along the main-sequence, its secondary is still unevolved. The age of VV Ori is found to be 10 ± 1 million years and it is at a distance of 368 ± 10 pc.     

WR 140 (=V1687 Cyg): Infrared photometry, 2001–2010

We present the results of our infrared observations of WR 140 (=V1687 Cyg) in 2001–2010. Analysis of the observations has shown that the J brightness at maximum increased near the periastron by about 0 ^m .3; the M brightness increased by ∼2 ^m in less than 50 days. The minimum J brightness and the minimum L and M brightnesses were observed 550–600 and 1300–1400 days after the maximum, respectively. The JHKLM brightness minimum was observed in the range of orbital phases 0.7–0.9. The parameters of the primary O5 component of the binary have been estimated to be the following: R(O5) ≈ 24.7R _⊙, L(O5) ≈ 8 × 10⁵ L _⊙, and M _bol(O5) ≈ −10 ^m . At the infrared brightness minimum, T _g ∼ 820–880 K, R _g ≈ 2.6 × 10⁵ R _⊙, the optical depth of the shell at 3.5 μm is ∼5.3 × 10⁻⁶, and its mass is ≈1.4 × 10⁻⁸ M _⊙. At the maximum, the corresponding parameters are ∼1300 K, 8.6 × 10⁴ R _⊙, ∼2 × 10⁻⁴, and ∼6 × 10⁻⁸ M _⊙; the mean rate of dust inflow (condensation) into the dust structure is ∼3.3 × 10⁻⁸ M _⊙ yr⁻¹. The mean escape velocity of the shell from the heating source is ∼10³ km s⁻¹ and the mean dispersal rate of the shell is ∼1.1 × 10⁻⁸ M _⊙ yr⁻¹.     

Absolute Calibration of the PL-Relations for the Classical Cepheids Based on the HIPPARCOS Parallaxes and the Distances of the Magellanic Clouds

The zero points of the period-luminosity relations for the classical cepheids are calibrated based on the HIPPARCOS parallaxes of these stars. The calibrations are used to determine the distance moduli of the LMC and SMC: DM _LMC = 18^m.569 ± 0^m.117 and DM _SMC = 19^m.070 ± 0^m.119, respectively. It turns out that a calibration of the PL relations based on the distances of 25 FU classical cepheids in the galaxy by Gieren et al. yields a distance scale that is shorter by approximately 0^m.20 than the calibrations based on the HIPPARCOS parallaxes.