Variability of the period of the star DU Monocerotis,an RR Lyrae variable with the Blazhko effect

In 2012–2014 we obtained 3641 CCD frames of the fields of the RR Lyrae (AB subtype, P = 0.583 days) variable DU Mon with BV I _c filters using the 76-cm telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) and the 1-m telescopes of the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network (LCOGT). Our observations confirmed the presence of the Blazhko effect that we suspected previously and allowed its period to be determined, \({P_{Bl}} = 60_ \cdot ^d52 \pm 0_ \cdot ^d03\). Using all of the available observations, we constructed an O–C diagram spanning a time interval of 86 years that revealed at least one abrupt change in the pulsation period (a decrease by 15.26 s).     

Spectroscopic studies of southern-hemisphere Cepheids: XX Sgr,AP Sgr,RV Sco,RY Sco,V482 Sco,and V636 Sco

We present the results obtained by analyzing 20 spectra of six bright Cepheids taken with the 1.9-m telescope at the South African Astronomical Observatory. The chemical composition and atmospheric parameters have been determined for XX Sgr, AP Sgr, RV Sco, RY Sco, V482 Sco, and V636 Sco.     

Optical identification of the source IGR J08390-4833 from the INTEGRAL all-sky survey

Results of the optical identification of the hard X-ray source IGR J08390-4833 recently discovered in the INTEGRAL all-sky survey are presented. We show that the source is most likely a cataclysmic variable, i.e., an accreting white dwarf in a binary. Analysis of its optical light curve clearly reveals intrinsic variability on timescales of the order of an hour or longer. However, the short time of the source’s optical observations does not allow a definitive conclusion about the periodicity of the detected variability to be reached. Further optical and X-ray observations are required for a more accurate classification of the source.     

Search for and study of extremely metal-deficient galaxies

We summarize the progress in identifying and observational study of extremely metal-deficient (XMD) gas-rich galaxies (BCGs, dIr and LSBDs). Due to volume limitation only the following issues are addressed: sample creation, some statistical data, Colour-Magnitude Diagrams (CMD) and ages, the case of SBS 0335–052 system, and probable evolution paths of various XMD objects. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Counter-rotating gas disk in the S0 galaxy IC 560

Acounter-rotating gas disk has been detected in the SA0 galaxy IC 560 located at the periphery of a sparse group of six late-type galaxies. The pattern of gas excitation and mid-infrared colors are indicative of ongoing star formation within 1 kpc of the center. Outside the gas disk with star formation the large-scale stellar disk of the galaxy has an old age and a very low metallicity, [Z/H] ≈ ?1. The source of external gas accretion onto IC 560 is undetected; the only option is a single infall of a companion rich in high-metallicity gas.     

CCD BVI c observations of Cepheids

In 2008–2013, we obtained 11333 CCD BVI _c frames for 57 Cepheids from the General Catalogue of Variable Stars. We performed our observations with the 76-cm telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO, South Africa) and the 40-cm telescope of the Cerro Armazones Astronomical Observatory of the Universidad Católica del Norte (OCA, Chile) using the SBIG ST-10XME CCD camera. The tables of observations, the plots of light curves, and the current light elements are presented. Comparison of our light curves with those constructed from photoelectric observations shows that the differences between their mean magnitudes exceed 0?05 in 20% of the cases. This suggests the necessity of performing CCD observations for all Cepheids.     

RRab Variable T Men: The Period Variability and the Blazhko Effect

Astronomy Letters - In 2012–2014 we obtained 3296 CCD frames in the $$BVI_{c}$$ photometric system for the RR Lyrae star T Men with the 76-cm telescope of the South African Astronomical...