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At least 397 records · Page 22

Long-term spectroscopic monitoring of Alpha Orionis

Ultraviolet spectroscopy (IUE) and optical photometry of Alpha Orionis (M2 Iab) were obtained at 2 wk intervals from January 1984 through April 1986. The ultraviolet (2950 to 3050 A) and optical continua are found to vary in phase with each other. The Mg II h and k total emission flux is similarly modulated, but lags the optical light curve by 0.25 yr. However, the h and k line fluxes vary by different amounts and in a manner which suggests a periodicity of 1 yr. These and other spectral variations may be causally linked to atmospheric disturbances, possibly related to a close stellar companion.

Sonneborn, G.↗

Search for molecules in Comet Halley at millimeter wavelengths

Data collected with the Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory 13.7-m radio telescope are used to search for the possible CN parent molecules HNC, HC3N, and CH3CN in Comet Halley at millimeter wavelengths. Maximum relative abundances for HNC/HCN of 0.3, for HC3N/HCN of 0.4, and for CH3CN/HCN of 0.8 are obtained, showing that these three molecules are not a major source of the CN radical observed in optical and UV spectroscopy. Upper limits to the beam averaged column densities and production rates of these molecules are determined (in addition to an upper limit for the beam averaged column density for the formyl ion of less than 10 to the 11th/sq cm), providing important constraints for chemical models of the coma.

Swade, Daryl A.↗

Optical observations of SN 1987D in UGC 7370

This paper presents optical photometry and spectroscopy of SN 1987D, a Type Ia supernova in the nearby galaxy UGC 7370, during the period immediately subsequent to its discovery. The distance modulus of the galaxy, independently determined by the redshift and the Tully-Fisher (1977) relation, is 32.3 + or - 1.0. The maximum brightness of SN 1987D was V about 13.2 and occurred on April 18, 1987, + or - 4 days; the absolute luminosity is about 0.6 mag brighter than the average for SNe Ia. The spectrum of SN 1987D is typical of SNe Ia, but the expansion velocity (9600 km/s) is considerably lower than average.

Schneider, D. P.↗

Passive microwave remote sensing of asteroids using the VLA

Precise flux density measurements made with the Very Large Array (VLA) of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory will be used to define the microwave continuum spectra of asteroids. These spectra will be inverted in order to estimate the near-surface bulk properties (radii, roughness, composition) independent of previous optical or infrared spectroscopy. The results for 2 Pallas, 4 Vesta and 10 Hygeia will be submitted for publication. The review chapter will be published and the results on Asteroid photometeric diameters will be published.

Webster, William J., Jr.↗

Active late-type stars

The basic mechanisms and characteristics of stellar activity in evolved stars are discussed, summarizing and analyzing the results of ground-based and space observations obtained in different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The types of active stars, the parameters controlling activity, and the underlying astrophysics are reviewed; the specific applications of optical and IR photometry, optical and UV spectroscopy, X-ray photometry and spectroscopy, and radio observations are considered; and particular attention is given to results on RS CVn systems and M dwarfs. Extensive diagrams, graphs, and tables of numerical data are included.

Linsky, Jeffrey L.↗

On the nature of the symbiotic star BF Cygni

Optical and ultraviolet spectroscopy of the symbiotic binary BF Cyg obtained during 1979-1988 is discussed. This system consists of a low-mass M5 giant filling about 50 percent of its tidal volume and a hot, luminous compact object similar to the central star of a planetary nebula. The binary is embedded in an asymmetric nebula which includes a small, high-density region and an extended region of lower density. The larger nebula is formed by a slow wind ejected by the cool component and ionized by the hot star, while the more compact nebula is material expelled by the hot component in the form of a bipolar wind. The analysis indicates that disk accretion is essential to maintain the nuclear burning shell of the hot star.

Mikolajewska, J.↗

Symmetrical jet action in the R Aquarii binary system

Collimated mass flow in opposite directions is detected in the R Aqr binary-system jet by means of high-resolution long-slit spectroscopy of several optical emission lines. Also presented are images of the jet structure in the forbidden line of O III, which clearly show bipolar symmetry extending to distances of about 2750 AU on either side of the central Mira variable. The Mira light was greatly reduced by utilization of a vignetting disk on the window of the imaging CCD. This result confirms the recent report of morphological evidence for an R Aqr jet from the detection of bipolar radio continuum emission at 6 cm, and provides the necessary kinematical evidence to show that jet action is actually taking place.

Hollis, J. M.↗

The dwarf galaxy UGC 5272 and its small companion galaxy

The present study of optical images and spectroscopy of the dwarf irregular galaxy UGC 5272 notes the presence, at 3.6 kpc, of a small neighboring galaxy which is also of irregular type and has a Holmberg diameter of 0.6 kpc. Attention is given to the possibility that the two galaxies, which are resolved into single stars, may form a physical pair. It is suggested that the blue-to-red supergiant ratio of UGC 5272 is high due to its low metallicity. While its extremely blue colors are suggestive of a recent starburst, the structural parameters of the galaxy are surprisingly normal. The gas contribution to total mass is high.

Hopp, U.↗

Supernovae - Some observational goals of the 21st century

Key issues pertaining to the study of supernovae are listed, and the characteristics of instruments for addressing the issues are discussed with reference given to the present status of supernova investigation. Understanding type-Ia supernovae requires study of the progenitor star, the isotopic composition of the ejecta, and the radiation transport. Issues relevant to type Ib's include identifying clumping and fragmentation in the model light curves and determining whether mixing occurs. Identifying progenitor stars and observing neutrino bursts are found to be keys to understanding the supernovae, and appropriate analyses include optical imaging, bolometry, spectroscopy, and most importantly, high-resolution IR imaging. Gamma- and X-ray studies are also important, and examples of suitable telescopes are listed; investigation of neutrinos requires an observatory away from terrestrial nuclear reactors.

Woosley, S. E.↗

Synthesis and properties of Ti-substituted goethites and hematites

The objective was to synthesize Ti-substituted goethites and hematites and to characterize them using x-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, coulimetry, optical and Mossbauer spectroscopies, and magnetic data in order to determine the evidence of Ti substitution for Martian spectral data. Evidence is provided that up to 4 mole percent can be incorporated into the goethite structure during the low temperature synthesis. Because the spectral data in the visible and near-IR are not sensitive to the degree of Ti-substitution in goethites and hematites, such data cannot be used to infer the presence or absence of Ti substitution in Martian hematites and goethites.

Vempati, R. K.↗

Solar and stellar observations from the South Pole

It is noted that an astronomical observatory located at the geographic South Pole could provide significant new insights into the physical bases of stellar variability by monitoring stars for lengthy periods of time with minimal interruptions by the day-night cycle. Three broad topics that could be studied with monitoring techniques are discussed: helioseismology, asteroseismology, and magnetic phenomena on stars. Consideration is given to comparisons with studies of solarlike active phenomena on stars utilizing high-resolution spectroscopy in the optical and ultraviolet, combined with X-ray and radio observations.

Linsky, Jeffrey L.↗

Magnetic activity in pre-main-sequence stars

The extensive new evidence for extremely high levels of magnetic activity on the surface of premain-sequence stars is reviewed and analyzed in the context of solar evolution. Most of these observations concern 'weak' T Tauri stars, in which the surface properties of the young stars are not dominated by circumstellar matter as in 'classical' T Tauri stars. Optical photometry shows that weak T Tauria stars are moderately rapid rotaters with cool starspots covering 5 to 40 percent of the surface. Optical and ultraviolet spectroscopy indicates that their chromospheres are enhanced about 50 times over contemporary solar levels. X-ray and radio intensities are of order 1000 to 100,000 times greater than peak solar levels, and they vary on time scales of days and (in a few cases) hours or minutes. The variability can only be explained in terms of some extremely powerful magnetic-flare model. The large numbers of weak T Tauri stars, probably larger than the population of classical T Tauri stars, strongly suggests that the sun was a weak T Tauri star for at least part of its premain-sequence evolutionary phase. These findings are summarized in a suggested portrait of the sun as a 1 Myr old weak T Tauri star.

Feigelson, Eric D.↗

Ly alpha and IR galaxy companions of high redshift damped Ly alpha QSO absorbers

We have used a Near-Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS3) HgCdTe 256x256 array detector with the Infrared (IR) camera on the 2.3m telescope at Steward Observatory to image several Quasi-Stellar Object (QSO) fields. The limiting magnitude is K'(2.1 microns) = 21.0 - 21.5 mag per square arcsec for a 3 sigma detection in 3 hours of in-field chopping observations. Each QSO line-of-sight samples several known absorbers with Mg2(lambda)2796-2803 A and/or C4(lambda)1548-1551 A absorption doublets. The equivalent width distributions of the low and high ionization absorption lines of the absorber sample are identical to those of the parent population of all absorbers. This selection process, used already for a spectroscopic survey of Mg2 absorption lines in C4-selected absorption systems at high z, gives a methodical approach to observing, reduces the observer biases, and makes a more efficient use of telescope time. This selection guarantees that imaging of the sample of QSO fields will provide complete sampling of the whole population of high z QSO absorbers. Follow-up optical and IR spectroscopy of these objects is scheduled for redshift measurement and confirmation of the absorbing galaxies and the cluster members.

Caulet, Adeline↗

The BL Lacertae object PKS 1413 + 135 - Is it within or behind a spiral galaxy?

New observations of the very red quasar or BL Lac object PKS 1413 + 135 are presented. Optical imaging and spectroscopy confirm the claim that the host galaxy to this BL Lac is a spiral, and H-band imaging shows the point source centered in the galaxy to within 0.1 arcsec. A reanalysis of Einstein X-ray data finds evidence for an extremely large column density in this source. While the astrometric evidence supports the hypothesis that PKS 1413 + 135 is the very unusual case of a BL Lac object in a spiral galaxy, a highly extincted nuclear source would produce other observable features in this galaxy that are not observed: narrow emission-line region and large thermal IR flux. Their absence argues for this source being background to the spiral.

Stocke, John T.↗

The spectral energy distribution of the z=3 quasar: HS 1946+7658

For the bright z = 3.02 radio-quiet quasar, HS 1946+7658, we have obtained radio to X-ray data within the past year: 5 GHz and 1415 MHz data from the Very Large Array (VLA); IR photometry at J, H, K, L prime (3.4 micrometers and N; IR spectroscopy; UBVRI photometry; optical spectrophotometry and high-resolution spectra; and an X-ray spectrum from the ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC). The spectral energy distribution (SED) constructed from these data is compared to the mean SED for a set of low-redshift quasars, and while they appear generally similar, there are several differences. In relation to the low-redshift mean, the SED of HS 1946+7658 shows (1) only an upper limit at 10 micrometers (a rest wavelength of 2.5 micrometers, indicating that HS 1946+7658 does not have a strong near-IR excess such as hot dust would produce; (2) relatively weak Fe II and Balmer continuum emission at approximately 3000 A; and (3) a steeper turndown shortward of Ly alpha, even after correction for the Ly alpha forest absorption lines.

Kuhn, O.↗

From Top to Bottom - the Multiwavelength Campaign of V824 Ara (HD 155555)

A great deal of progress has been made in recent years in decomposing the 2-D structure in the atmospheres of late-type stars. Doppler images of many photospheres single stars, T Tauri stars, Algols, RS CV(sub n) binaries to name a few - are regularly published (Strassmeier 1996; Richards and Albright 1996; Rice and Strassmeier 1996; Kuerster et al. 1994). Ultraviolet spectral images of chromospheres appear in the literature (e.g., Walter et al. 1987; Neff et al. 1989) but are less common owing to the difficult nature of obtaining complete phase coverage. Zeeman doppler images of magnetic fields are now feasible (e.g., Donati et al. 1992). Performing Doppler imaging of the same targets over many seasons has also been accomplished (e.g, Vogt et al. 1997). Even when a true image reconstruction is not possible due to poor spectral resolution, we can still infer a great deal about spatial structure if enough phases are observed. However, it is increasingly apparent that to make sense of recent results, many different spectral features spanning a range of formation temperature and density must be observed simultaneously for a coherent picture to emerge. Here we report on one such campaign. In 1996, we observed the southern hemisphere RS CV(sub n) binary V824 Ara (P=1(sup d).68, G5IV+K0V-IV-IV) over one complete stellar rotation with the Hubble Space Telescope and EUVE. In conjunction, radio and optical photometry and spectroscopy were obtained from the ground. Unique to this campaign is the complete phase coverage of a number of activity proxy indicators that cover source temperatures ranging from the photosphere to the corona.

Dempsey, Robert↗

Exploring the Full Range of Properties of Quasar Spectral Distributions

The aim of this work is to support our ISO, far-infrared (IR) observing program of quasars and active galaxies. We have obtained, as far as possible, complete spectral energy distributions (radio-X-ray) of the ISO sample in order to fully delineate the continuum shapes and to allow detailed modelling of that continuum. This includes: ground-based optical, near-IR and mm data, the spectral ranges closest to the ISO data, within 1-2 years of the ISO observations themselves. ISO was launched in Nov 1995 and is currently observing routinely. It has an estimated lifetime is 2 years. All near-IR and optical imaging and spectroscopy are now in hand and in the process of being reduced, mm data collection and proposal writing continues.

Wilkes, B.↗

Vapor Growth and Characterization of ZnSeTe Solid Solutions

Six ZnSe(1-x)Te(x) crystals were grown by the physical vapor transport technique. For each of the source material compositions, x = 0.10, 0.20 and 0.30, two crystals were grown - one under the horizontal and the other under the vertical stabilized configurations. The axial and radial compositional uniformity were measured by precision density measurements, wavelength dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (WDS) and optical transmission mappings. The measured radial ZnTe content was quite uniform for all the grown crystals except the horizontally grown crystal for x = 0.30. The WDS results on this crystal indicated a core with uniform ZnTe content, about 0.38, surrounded by a thin region of high ZnTe content with x = 0.8. This feature was confirmed by the SEM back scattering electron images. For the three source compositions the axial compositional variations for the vertically grown crystals were more uniform than that for the horizontally grown crystals. The measured compositions in the crystals grown from source composition of x = 0.10 suggest that the transport mechanism in the system can not be interpreted by a simple one-dimensional diffusion limited model.

Su, Ching-Hua↗