Morphological and kinematic signatures of a binary central star in the planetary nebula Hu 2-1

We present H α , [N  ii ] and [O  iii ] ground-based and HST archive images, VLA–A 3.6-cm continuum and H92 α emission-line data and high-resolution long-slit [N  ii ] spectra of the planetary nebula Hu 2-1. A large number of structural components are identified in the nebula: an outer bipolar and an inner shell, two pairs of collimated bipolar structures at different directions, monopolar bow-shock-like structures, and an extended equatorial structure within a halo. The formation of Hu 2-1 appears to be dominated by anisotropic mass ejection during the late-AGB stage of the progenitor and by variable, 'precessing' collimated bipolar outflows during the protoplanetary nebula and/or early planetary nebula phases. Different observational results strongly support the existence of a binary central star in Hu 2-1, among them (1) the observed point-symmetry of the bipolar lobes and inner shell, and the departures from axial symmetry of the bipolar lobes, (2) the off-centre position of the central star, (3) the detection of mass ejection towards the equatorial plane, and (4) the presence of 'precessing' collimated outflows. In addition, (5) an analysis of the kinematics shows that the systemic velocity of the bipolar outflows does not coincide with the systemic velocity of the bipolar shell. We propose that this velocity difference is a direct evidence of orbital motion of the ejection source in a binary system. From a deduced orbital velocity of ∼10 km s⁻¹, a semimajor axis of ∼ 9–27 au and period of ∼ 25–80 yr are obtained, assuming a reasonable range of masses. These parameters are used to analyse the formation of Hu 2-1 within current scenarios of planetary nebulae with binary central stars.     

Multifrequency Polarization Variations in the Quasar 0917＋624

We present a detailed analysis of multi-frequency observations of linear polarization in the intraday variable quasar 0917+624 (z = 1.44). The observations were made in May 1989 at five frequencies (1.4, 2.7, 5.0, 8.3 and 15GHz) with the VLA and the Effelsberg 100 m-telescope and in December 1988 at two frequencies (2.7 and 5.0 GHz) with the latter. It is shown that the relationship between the variations of the polarized and total flux density is highly wavelength dependent, and the multi-frequency polarization behavior may be essential for investigating the mechanisms causing these variations. It is shown that the variations observed at 20 cm can be interpreted in terms of refractive interstellar scintillation. However, after subtracting the variation due to scintillation, three 'features' emerged in the light-curve of the polarized flux density, indicating an additional variable component. Interestingly, these features are shown to be correlated with the variations at 2-6 cm, thus indicating that thes     

A Photometry Campaign for IR Geminorum in Quiescence

We report a V band photometry of the SU UMa star IR Gem at quiescence in January 2002. The observations were made with two telescopes spaced - 160° apart in longitude. Several photometric modulations have been found. One gives a period of 98.50(13) min, exactly equal to the orbital period determined spectroscopically. Two others occasionally strengthen and seem to be positive and negative superhumps with periods of 103.6(4) and 95.4(4) min, 5.2% longer and 3.1% shorter than the orbital period, respectively. A signal at - 0.6 c/d in the power spectrum is roughly consistent with the expected period of nodal precession of the disk. There is a puzzling peak at 0.21(3) c/d corresponding to the - 4.3 d sine wave seen in the raw light curve. We suspect it to be a beat frequency between the frequencies of apsidal and nodal precessions of the disk. Quasi-periodic cycles with amplitudes 0.15-0.6 mag can be seen in the light curve. The mechanism underlying this modulation is not clear.     

Algorithm Design and Test of the Solar Guide Telescope

The Solar Guide Telescope (SGT), an important solar attitude sensor of the SST (Space Solar Telescope, a space solar observing instrument being developed in China), can accurately produce pointing error signals of the SST for attitude control at high speed. We analyze in detail the error algorithm of the heliocentric coordinates and the edge judging of solar images. The measuring accuracy of ±0.5 arcsec of the SGT is verified by experiments on the tracking of the Sun and by testing a sun simulator. Some factors causing the pointing errors are examined.     

Influence of filling velocity on stability of subgrade with marine soft soil

Filling velocity and thickness of soft layer are major factors affecting subgrade stability according to an example study by means of finite element stress method (FESM). A case is studied and shows that the subgrade was slided because of excessive filling velocity. To determine a reasonable filling velocity is a key problem to a subgrade with marine soft soil.     

Discovery of Three Variable Stars in Direction toward NGC 4565

We present the results of a variable star search in a field next to the edge-on galaxies NGC 4565 from the archive data of Beijing-Arizona-Taibei-Connecticut Multicolor Sky Survey. Three new variable stars were discovered. Based on spectra obtained from the 2.16 m NAOC telescope, we identify two of these as RR Lyr stars and one as a special T Tauri star.     

On the Station-Keeping and Control of the World Space Observatory/Ultraviolet

Collinear libration points play an important role in deep space exploration because of their special positions and dynamical characteristics. Since motion around them is unstable, we need to control the spacecraft if we wish to keep them around such a libration point for a long time. Here we propose a continuous low-thrust control strategy, illustrated with numerical simulations combined with the orbit design and control of the World Space Observatory/UltraViolet (WSO/UV).     

Imaging of the Structure and Evolution of the Coma Morphology of Comet Hale–Bopp (C/1995 O1)

Imaging of coma morphology of Comet Hale-Bopp from pre-perihelion through perihelion to post-perihelion is presented. Broad band images from 1996 and late 1997 show nearly radial jets streaking out from the nucleus. During both 1996 and late 1997, the brightest jets are approximately in a northern/northeastern direction. The slight curvature present in these radial jets is consistent with radiation pressure effects. Narrow band images around perihelion show two distinctive pictures of the CN and the continuum coma morphology. Spirals are clearly seen in the CN images but not in the continuum where structure is confined to the sunward side. The CN structure is consistent with continuous outgassing of the source of CN from the nucleus during both day and night. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A Spectroscopic Study of the SU Uma-type Dwarf Nova YZ Cnc during its 2002 Superoutburst

We report on time-resolved spectroscopic observations of the SU Ursae Majoris dwarf nova, YZ Cnc for over 11 h on two nights during its 2002 January superoutburst. The spectra on the first day only showed absorption-line profiles, while on the second day the lines showed "W" profiles with blue and red troughs. The radial velocity curve of the absorption troughs and emission peaks of Hβ has an amplitude of 49±10 km s-1 and a phase offset of -0.07±0.04, which are very similar to those measured in quiescence. However, the γ velocity deviates strongly from the systemic velocity measured in quiescence, by some ±60 km s-1. Large shifts of -70 km s-1 in the orbital-averaged velocity and -0.09 in the phase are also found in our observations. All these features can be well explained by a precessing, eccentric disk.     

IRAS F02044+0957: An interacting system

A list of 750 objects has been compiled using the Astrophysical CATalogs Support System (CATS) database, by cross-identifying sources in the IRAS catalogues and the catalogue of the Texas survey at 365 MHz. We have carried out a search for optical counterparts of those objects, where the difference in positions between the two catalogues and the APM is less than 3. One of these sources, IRAS F02044+0957, was observed with the RATAN-600 radio telescope at four frequencies in April 1999. Optical spectroscopy of the components of the system was made with the 2.1-m telescope of the Guillermo Haro Observatory. The radio and optical spectra, the NVSS radio map and the optical and infrared images allow us to conclude that the steep spectrum (=–0-94 ± 0-02) radio source IRAS F02044+0957 is a pair of interacting galaxies, a LINER and a HII galaxy, at z=0.093.Published in Astrofizika, Vol. 48, No. 1, pp. 113–124 (February 2005).