Infrared photometry of AGB stars

The goal of this article is to show that, if one avoids star forming regions, mass-losing AGB stars can generally be selected from the data that will be provided by the near-infrared surveys which are presently considered. Also, if IRAS data are available, the separation between carbon-rich and oxygen-rich stars can be operated by their positions in infrared colour diagrams. In extragalactic systems, red supergiants can be discriminated from AGB stars by their luminosities.based on observations obtained with the ESO 1-m telescope     

Electric charge and magnetic flux on rotating black holes in a force-free magnetosphere

The electric charge on rotating black holes is calculated to be ∼ BJ in the force-free configuration of Ghosh, with a horizon flux of ∼ BM ². This charge is gravitationally weak for B ∼10¹⁵ G , so that the Kerr metric applies. Being similar to the electric charge of a magnetar, both electric charge and magnetic flux should be, in sign and order of magnitude, continuous during stellar collapse into a black hole. Extraction of the rotational energy from newly formed black holes may proceed by interaction with the magnetic field.     

O-rich SR and Mira variables in DENIS

Previous VLA observations of the triple radio continuum source in Serpens showed that it has very unusual and extraordinary characteristics. While this source is associated with a star forming region, its outer components exhibit a combination of thermal and nonthermal spectra and large proper motions, Furthermore, the NW lobe has knotty and extended emission connecting the central source with the bright outer knot. Here, we present results of new VLA radio continuum high-angular resolution observations of this Radio Jet. Combining these observations with those obtained previously, we find that: a) one of the knots along the main body of the radio jet (knot G) exhibits proper motions similar to those observed in the outer NW and SE components, and the time variable knot A; b) the outer knots are moving away from the central source in slightly different directions; and c) the orientation of the central source seems to change with time. These results are consistent with a central precessing source that undergoes periodic ejection of material.     

A new imaging infrared polarimeter

A new infrared imaging polarimeter operating in dual-beam mode is described, together with some of the early results.     

Energy of a Stringy Charged Black Hole in the Teleparallel Gravity

We use the teleparallel geometry analog of the Møller energy-momentum complex to calculate the energy distribution (due to matter plus field including gravity) of a charged black hole solution in heterotic string theory. We find the same energy distribution as obtained by Gad who investigated the same problem by using the Møller energy-momentum complex in general relativity. The total energy depends on the black hole mass M and charge Q. The energy obtained is also independent of the teleparallel dimensionless coupling constant, which means that it is valid not only in the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity, but also in any teleparallel model. Furthermore, our results also sustains (a) the importance of the energy-momentum definitions in the evaluation of the energy distribution of a given spacetime and (b) the viewpoint of Lessner that the Møller energy-momentum complex is a powerful concept of energy and momentum.     

Rotationally-resolved spectroscopy of Vesta I: 2-4 μm region

We present new infrared (2-4 μm) spectroscopic observations of Vesta obtained in 2001, 2003, and 2004. Together with previously published work, these present a picture of how Vesta's spectrum changes with sub-Earth latitude and longitude. Vesta's albedo and 2-μm band vary regularly with its rotational phase. While establishing the continuum level for Vesta in the 3-μm region is not straightforward, Vesta appears to have a spectrum consistent with the HED meteorites and not requiring a 3-μm water of hydration band. We cannot formally rule out a shallow (∼1%) band, however. We place limits on the extent to which solar-wind implantation and contamination by CM-like impactors has changed the surface spectrum of Vesta.     

Latitudinal variations of CO and OCS in the lower atmosphere of Venus from near-infrared nightside spectro-imaging

Spectro-imaging of Venus' nightside in the 2.3-μm window provides a powerful means of probing the lower atmosphere in the 25-40 km altitude range. We present observations recorded at the NASA/IRTF in February 2003 and August 2004, using the SpeX spectro-imager in the 2.1-2.5-μm region. Abundances of CO and OCS have been derived as a function of latitude for different longitudes. The CO abundance increases by about 15% between the equatorial region and higher latitudes (±40°). No longitudinal or temporal variations are observed. The OCS abundance shows the opposite variation in observational sets with sufficient S/N. These variations and anticorrelation are consistent with upwelling motions in the equatorial region and downwelling at higher latitudes.