High-luminosity single carbon stars in stellar and galactic evolution

Summary In the solar neighborhood, approximately half of all intermediate mass main sequence stars with initially between 1 and about 5 Mbecome carbon stars with luminosities near 10⁴ L for typically less than 10⁶ years. These high luminosity carbon stars lose mass at rates nearly always in excess of 10^–7 M yr^–1 and sometimes in excess of 10^–5 M yr^–1. Locally, close to half of the mass returned into the interstellar medium by intermediate mass stars before they become white dwarfs is during the carbon star phase. A much greater fraction of lower metallicity stars become carbon-rich before they evolve into planetary nebulae than do higher metallicity stars; therefore, carbon stars are much more importan t in the outer than in the inner Galaxy.     

White dwarf models of supernovae and cataclysmic variables

If the accreting white dwarf increases its mass to the Chandrasekhar mass, it will either explode as a Type I supernova or collapse to form a neutron star. In fact, there is a good agreement between the exploding white dwarf model for Type I supernovae and observations. We describe various types of evolution of accreting white dwarfs as a function of binary parameters (i.e, composition, mass, and age of the white dwarf, its companion star, and mass accretion rate), and discuss the conditions for the precursors of exploding or collapsing white dwarfs, and their relevance to cataclysmic variables. Particular attention is given tohelium star cataclysmics which might be the precursors of some Type I supernovae or ultrashort period X-ray binaries. Finally we present new evolutionary calculations using the updated nuclear reaction rates for the formation of O+Ne+Mg white dwarfs, and discuss the composition structure and their relevance to the model forneon novae.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

Population of the galactic disc in the solar neighbourhood

Spatial density parameters ofz-distribution and luminosity dispersion in the HR diagram for nine stellar spectral groups (A-K III, A-G IV, A-F V) were determined. It was shown that all stars considered can be divided into two subsets according to their scale-height . For the younger stars is of the order of 100–150 pc, and for older ones of 300–400 pc. The accuracy of the parameters derived was evaluated with use of numerical simulations. We found that for subgiants and dwarfs the relative error in the local density makes 10 to 15%, and for giants it is a little higher (20 to 25%). For other parameters the typical error is of the order of 20–30%.     

G 82-23: A new subdwarf-white dwarf binary

Photometry and spectrophotometry of the proper motion star G 82-23 are presented. A comparison with subdwarfs and white dwarfs in the same range of temperature shows only partial agreement. If the parallax is taken into account, the best explanation of this object seems to be a binary structure with a K-subdwarf and a DC-white dwarf.Communication presented at the International Conference on Astrometric Binaries, held on 13–15 June, 1984, at the Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, Germany, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel (1784–1846).     

Physical parameters of reflection nebulae in the galaxy

We show how, given observed equivalent widths of Mgii and Mgi absorptions due to an interstellar cloud in which a late-B star is embedded, the basic physical parameters: kinetic temperature, mean density, electron density, and radius can be constrained. Hydrogen ionization by means of cosmic rays and the effect of the stellar radiation field on the magnesium ionization equilibrium are taken into account.The method is applied to the reflection nebula surrounding the star HD 26676. The resulting solutions for the radius and temperature of the nebulosity are comparable to the typical values derived for diffuse interstellar clouds from optical and 21-cm measurements, if a cosmic-ray ionization rate 10^–16s^–1 — in agreement with recent determinations — is assumed. The results are not strongly dependent on the gas pressureP forP varying in a range of values typical of interstellar clouds.     

The formation and evolution of low-mass close binaries with compact components

We discuss the formation and evolution of interacting low-mass close binaries with a He-1CO- or ONe-dwarf neutron star or a black hole as a compact component. Mass exchange leads to cataclysmic events in such systems. The rate of semidetached low-mass close binary formation is 5×10^–3 yr^–1 if the accreting component is a He degenerate dwarf, 5×10^–3 yr^–1 if it is a CO-dwarf and 3×10^–8 yr^–1 if it is a neutron star. Systems with compact accretors arise as the result of the common envelope phase of close binary evolution or due to collisions of single neutron stars or dwarfs with low-mass single stars in dense stellar clusters. Evolution of LMCB to the contact phase in semi-detached stages is determined mainly by the angular momentum losses by a magnetic stellar wind and radiation of gravitational waves. Numerical computations of evolution with momentum loss explain observed mass exchange rates in such systems, the absence of cataclysmic variables with orbital periods 2^h–3^h, the low number and the evolutionary status of systems with orbital periods shorter than 80^m. In conclusion we list unsolved problems related to magnetic stellar wind, the distribution of young close binaries over main initial parameters, stability of mass exchange.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

Collective properties of a magnitude-limited sample of cataclysmic binaries

Results of an analytical discussion of observational selection in a magnitude-limited sample of cataclysmic binaries (CBs) are presented. It is shown that the dependence of the strength of selection in favour of massive white dwarfs, of the mean orbital inclination and the fraction of eclipsing systems in a sample on the limiting magitude m reflects the large-scale distribution of CBs in the galaxy and the influence of interstellar absorption. Furthermore it is shown how selection in favour of massive white dwarfs depends on the mass radius relation of white dwarfs.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

Past history of star formation in the solar neighbourhood from the observed white dwarf luminosity distribution

It is known that intermediate and low-mass stars evolve finally to white dwarfs of mass characteristically centred around 0.6M . The observed luminosity distribution and the theoretical cooling curves of such white dwarfs are used in this work to estimate the rate of formation of these and, hence, of their progenitors (although not uniquely) in the solar neighbourhood as a function of time. It is found that the star formation rate has remained fairly constant over the past 10–12 billion years, and that the observed number density of the local white dwarfs match quite well with the one expected from the mass functions of the local stars.     

The effect of increasing helium content and disk dwarfs evolution on the chemical enrichment of the Galaxy

This paper deals with two main effects: First the empirical metal abundance distribution in Main Sequence disk dwarfs of the solar neighbourhood, and second, the theoretical possibility of (i) an increased helium content as the Galaxy evolves, and (ii) the presence of evolutionary effects in disk dwarfs (i.e., the age of some or all stars considered up to the subgiant phase is not necessarily longer than the age of the galactic disk). We take into account a linear increase of helium content with metal content, and we impose some constraints relative to initial, solar and present-day observed values ofY andZ, and to observed relative helium to heavy element enrichment, Y/Z. In this way, little influence is found on the empirical metal abundance distribution in the range 0Y/Z3, while larger values of Y/Z would lead to a more significant influence. Evolved and unevolved theoretical metal abundance distributions are derived by accounting for a two-phase model of chemical evolution of galaxies and for a linear mass dependence of star lifetimes in the spectral range G2V–G8V, and are compared with the empirical distribution. All are in satisfactory agreement due to systematic shift data by different observations; several values o collapse timeT _c and age of the GalaxyT are also considered. Finally, models of chemical evolution invoking homogeneous collapse without infall and inhomogeneous collapse with infall, are briefly discussed relative to the empirical metal abundance distribution in Main Sequence disk dwarfs of the solar neighbourhood.     

Long–term Photometry of RT Lacertae: 2. Further Evidence fo a Circumstellar Envelope and MAss Accretion

The light curves, obtained by the authors of the present paper during the period 1978–1992, of the chromospherically active binary system RT Lac were examined. The average (B–V) colour indices were obtained and corrected for the interstellar extinction. Spectroscopic studies indicate that the less massive component may be taken as G8. The light curve analysis indicates that the less massive, larger component fills its corresponding Roche lobe. Both photometric and spectroscopic observations compel one to draw a conclusion that circumstellar matter does exist around the binary system. A colour excess caused by this matter is found to be 0.278 for B–V colour at mid–secondary eclipse. On the basis of photometric colour indices alone, the components of RT Lac are classified as G3–4 and G8. If we use the observed radial velocities of the less massive subgiant star from Ca II emission lines and from other optical lines we find for the mass of the more massive component as 1.34–1.70 M. This mass range corresponds to the main sequence late F stars. The common envelope hypothesis and mass function and also blending of the spectral lines of more massive component point out that it should be at most a late F type main sequence star.     

F stars: Evidence for ‘two-dimensional’ age-metallicity relation and a new light on the enrichment history of the solar neighbourhood

From theuvby photometry and proper motions for about 5500 nearby F stars we have found the following: (i) F stars, taken in narrow ranges of metallicity, show at [Fe/H]<0 rather distinct cut-off in their distribution along the Main Sequence (MS) at the blue side, which is suggested to be an indication for the MS turn-off in stellar groups of fixed metallicity; (ii) the corresponding turn-off age from theoretical isochrones strongly correlates with the mean peculiar velocity of the turn-off stars; (iii) the sub-groups of stars of different colours have essentially the same mean peculiar velocity at low metallicity, but at high metallicity the velocities of the red subgroups are much larger than those of the blue ones. We argue that these properties of F stars lead to a two-dimensional age-metallicity relation with the following main features: (i) a very large spread of metal abundance for old stars, (ii) narrowing of the metallicity range toward younger ages, (iii) increase of mean metallicity toward younger ages. This AMR seems to require a major revision of current models of the chemical evolution of the Galaxy: it suggests that the spatial distribution of metal abundance in the interstellar medium was initially highly inhomogeneous, the inhomogeneities being smoothed out and the mean metallicity being increased as the time went on.We also find an evidence for the evolution of the gaseous matter, from which the open clusters are formed, to be somehow decoupled from the evolution of the overall ISM.     

On the metallicity of the Milky Way thin disc and photometric abundance scales

The mean metallicity of the Milky Way thin disc in the solar neighbourhood is still a matter of debate, and we recently proposed an upward revision. Our star sample was drawn from a set of solar neighbourhood dwarfs with photometric metallicities. In a very recent study, it has been suggested that our metallicity calibration, based on Geneva photometry, is biased. We show here that the effect detected is not a consequence of our adopted metallicity scale, and we confirm that our findings are robust. On the contrary, the application to Strömgren photometry of the Schuster & Nissen metallicity scale is problematic. Systematic discrepancies of  ∼0.1–0.3 dex  affect the photometric metallicity determination of metal-rich stars, on the colour interval  0.22 < b − y < 0.59  , i.e. including F and G stars. For F stars, it is shown that this is a consequence of a mismatch between the standard sequence   m ₁( b − y )  of the Hyades used by Schuster & Nissen to calibrate their metallicity scale, and the system of Olsen. It means that although the calibration of Schuster & Nissen and Olsen's photometry are intrinsically correct, they are mutually incompatible for metal-rich F-type stars. For G stars, the discrepancy is most probably the continuation of the same problem, albeit worsened by the lack of spectroscopic calibrating stars. A corrected calibration is proposed that renders the calibration of Schuster & Nissen applicable to the catalogues of Olsen. We also give a simpler calibration referenced to the Hyades sequence, valid over the same colour and metallicity ranges.     

Accretion-induced collapse of old white dwarfs

There is observational evidence of the presence of young neutron stars in old binary systems. A likely explanation is that those neutron stars were produced in the collapse of old CO white dwarfs. We show how mass accretion on initially solid white dwarfs can leave central solid cores when dynamical instability sets in and we study the different effects of the existence of such cores on the outcome of the competition between thermonuclear explosion and gravitational collapse.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

Two-dimensional classification of globular clusters

The metallicities of 75 globular clusters are determined in the Pilachowskiet al. scale from the slopes of their giant branches in theV, B-V diagram. In the diagram giant branch slope, horizontal branch morphology type, the clusters form two sequences: a vertical sequence (group I) with blue horizontal branches and [Fe/H] from –2.2 to –1.2 and a diagonal sequence (group II) with horizontal branches changing from the blue to the red parallel with an increase of metallicity from –1.8 to –1.0. The differences in horizontal branch morphology of both cluster groups are probably caused by the difference in age, which is found to be of the order 1–2 billion years. It is shown that integrated reddening-free quantitiesQ and integrated spectral types cannot be used to determine metalicity without a previous division of clusters into groups.     

Optical spectroscopy of CH Cygni in 1985/86

Some arguments for the explanation of the spectroscopic and photometric behavior of CH Cyg in terms of an eclipsing binary with P=5700 days, consisting of M6 III star and an accreting white dwarf, are presented. Physical and geometrical parameters of the system have been estimated and discussed.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

Interpretation of the frequency distribution of isochrone ages of nearby F and G stars

The frequency distribution of isochrone ages of nearby F and G stars is used in a synthetic approach to the history of the star-formation rate (SFR). On the basis of stellar evolutionary sequences, age distributions are calculated for different assumptions on the SFR history. Models with a constant past SFR provide a good fit of the empirical age distributions, unless a feature at ages 4 Gyr. If real, a shoulder in the empirical frequency distribution of isochrone ages at 4–5 Gyr points toward an enhanced SFR during a more or less (1 to 6 Gyr) extended period which ceased with a peak about 4 Gyr ago. It is shown that models with such a nonmonotonous SFR history reproduce the empirical stellar age distribution and, moreover, the age-metallicity relation and the metallicity distribution of nearby stars. An era of enhanced star formation in this time interval is consistent with recently published interpretation of several age-dependent properties in different samples of nearby stars.     

Discrepant measurements of the radial velocities of SS cygni: solution to the problem

We show that the discrepancies among the various measurements of the radial velocity curve of the K5 V star in the dwarf nova SS Cyg have been caused by (1) poor choices of lines for measuring its velocity and (2) large distortions in its velocity caused by heating from the white dwarf and its accretion disk. The correctK velocity of the center of mass of the K5 V star is 158±3km s ^–1.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Development, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

The G-dwarf problem in the solar neighbourhood: a Lagrangian picture

Recent data on the empirical metallicity distribution of G dwarfs in the disk solar neighbourhood are fitted in two different ways. We use an extended Poisson distribution in the limit where the probability of star formation is small, and a Gauss distribution in the limit where a large number of physical variables is required to determine stellar metal abundance. Both are found to reproduce the data at the same (acceptable) extent, with a slight preference for the former. The emprirical, differential metallicity distribution of G dwarfs in the disk solar neighbourhood is compared with its theoretical counterpart, in the picture of a closed, comoving model of chemical evolution. The limits of the currently used infall models are discussed and a scenario of galactic formation and evolution is presented. The Galactic history is thought as made of two main phases: contraction (which produces the extended component) and equilibrium (which gives the disk). In this view, the stars observed within the solar cylinder did not necessarily arise from the primordial gas which later collapsed into the disk solar neighbourhood. It is found that the G-dwarf problem is strongly alleviated, with the possible exception of the low-metallicity and high-metallicity tail of the distribution. The best choice of parameters implies: (i) a metal yield in the contraction phase which is larger by a factor of about 5 with respect to the equilibrium phase; (ii) a model halo mass fraction of about 0.3; (iii) a model disk mass fraction of about 0.6. It provides additional support to the idea of a generalized Schmidt star formation law, which is different in different phases of evolution. The model, cumulative, G-dwarf metallicity distribution in the disk solar neighbourhood is found to predict too may low-metallicity stars with respect to its empirical counterpart, related to a Poissonian or Gaussian fit. The main resons for the occurrence of a G-dwarf problem are discussed. Finally, a stochastic process of star formation, related to a Poisson distribution, is briefly outlined.     

A review of the classical nova outburst

We review the recent observational and theoretical studies of the nova outburst. The observational studies have not only identified a new class of novae but theoretical simulations of this class have been found to be in excellent agreement with the observations. This new class consists of outbursts occurring on ONeMg white dwarfs in close binary systems in contrast to the other outbursts which are occurring on CO white dwarfs. We also review the effects of the ⁺ nuclei and show how their presence has a major effect on the evolution.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F. R. G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

A slowly moving plasmoid associated with a filament eruption

We report the imaging observations of a slowly moving type IV burst associated with a filament eruption. This event was preceded by weak type III burst activity and was accompanied by a quasi-stationary continuum that persisted for several hours. The starting times and speeds of moving type IV burst and the erupting filament are nearly the same, implying a close physical relation between the two. The moving type IV burst is interpreted as gyrosynchrotron emission from a plasmoid containing a magnetic field of 1–2 G and nonthermal electrons of density 10⁵–10⁶ cm^–3 with a relatively low average energy of 50 keV.