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At least 55 records · Page 3

Photometry of six radar target asteroids

Photoelectric photometry of six earth-approaching asteroids is presented. The selection criterion was that they were close enough in 1986 to be observed by radar. Rotation periods were obtained for 1986 DA, 3199, 3103, and 1983 RD. 1986 JK and 1986 RA showed no detectable brightness variations during the monitoring time on several nights each, and therefore were either seen pole-on or have long rotation periods. Asteroids 1986 JK and 1986 RA are of taxonomic class C, 1986 DA and 3103 of class X, 1983 RD of class Q, and only 3199 of the class S that was previously believed to be predominant among earth-approaching asteroids.

Wisniewski, W. Z.↗

VRI photometry of selected SAO stars

Johnson V, R, and I photoelectric photometry has been obtained for 199 SAO stars in support of the Near Infrared Photographic Sky Survey. These data are utilized in the calibration of survey photographs and are presented here to assist other programs reliant upon access to photometry in the photographic infrared.

Scharlach, W. W. G.↗

Worldwide photometry of the January 1989 Tau Persei eclipse

New UBV photoelectric photometry of Tau Persei obtained at 19 different observatories during its recent January 1989 eclipse is presented. Mideclipse occurred at JD 2 447 542.31 + or - 0.01. The resulting light curve, though not complete at all phases, is solved for the elements with the help of two quantities derived from spectroscopy: the eclipse is 84 percent total at mideclipse, and the ratio of the radii is 0.135 + or - 0.01. Radii relative to the semimajor axis are 0.0236 for the G5 giant and 0.0032 for the A2 star. With a reasonable total mass assumed, the absolute radii say the A2 star could be luminosity class V or somewhat evolved and the G5 star is between III and II but could be closer to II. The G5 giant is brighter than the A2 star by 1.72 mag in V and the color excess in B - V is 0.06 mag, both quantities consistent (within uncertainties) with earlier estimates of Ake (1986). The eclipse duration, from first to fourth contact, is 2.09 day. The orbital inclination is 88.74 deg, consistent with what McAlister derived from speckle interferometry. Because of the large (e = 0.73) eccentricity, there is no secondary eclipse at all.

Hall, Douglas S.↗

Simultaneous photometry of X Persei and 3U 0352+30

The suggested association of X Persei with the weak X-ray source 3U 0352+30 raises the possibility of detection of X-ray/optical covariability. The paper reports a successfully conducted simultaneous optical/X-ray observation utilizing ground-based photometry and a satellite-borne proportional counter. Photoelectric photometry of X Persei was obtained on five out of seven consecutive nights in January 1975. The observations yield the faintest and bluest photoelectric magnitudes and colors ever reported for X Per; this change apparently occurred relatively uniformly during 1973-74 and is reminiscent of behavior last observed in about 1900. On January 21, 7 hr of data were obtained simultaneously with OAO Copernicus X-ray observations of 3U 0352+30. The X-ray flux varied during this period by a factor of 2, but there is no obviously correspondent optical activity, to a level of 0.02 mag. The optical data are also used to limit the 0.01-mag variations coincident with the X-ray periodicity reported by White et al. (1976).

Margon, B.↗

Far ultraviolet photometry of intermediate brightness stars from Apollo-Soyuz

We present photoelectric photometry in the 1350-1600 A band of 52 stars of intermediate brightness, using data obtained in 1975 July with a grazing incidence telescope aboard the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. Upper or lower limits on the brightness of 106 additional objects which were spatially blended with one or more companions were also obtained. The data sample consists of stars with V not greater than 7.5 and spectral types from O6 through A5. When corrected for interstellar extinction, the ultraviolet photometry on a two-color diagram agrees very well with the predictions of the revised blanketed model atmospheres by Kurucz. Attention is also drawn to an anomalously UV-bright object which is probably associated with HD 100493.

Crawford, R.↗

VI photometry of selected SAO stars

Johnson V- and I-band photoelectric photometry has been obtained for 158 SAO stars in a continuing program in support of the Near Infrared Photographic Sky Survey. These data are utilized in the calibration of the survey photographs and are presented here to assist other programs reliant upon access to photometry in the photographic infrared.

Craine, E. R.↗

New 1982-1990 photometry of Lambda Andromedae and its 11-year cycle

The paper presents photoelectric photometry of Lambda And never before published, obtained between February 1982 and December 1990 at 29 different observatories. Then it is combined with all other photometry available (previously published, contained in the I.A.U. Commission 27 Archives, and obtained with the Vanderbilt 16-inch automatic telescope but not yet published), to yield a 14.8-year data base. Analysis reveals a long-term cycle in mean brightness, with a full range of 0.15 m and a period of 11.4 +/- 0.4 years. Because most of the new photometry was concentrated in the 1983-1984 observing season, this one well-defined light curve is analyzed with a two-spot model. Spot A keeps a 0.04 m amplitude throughout four rotation cycles whereas the amplitude of spot B diminishes from 0.09 m down almost to 0.03 m. The spot rotation periods were 55.9 d +/- 0.6 d and 52.8 d +/- 1.0 d, respectively.

Hall, Douglas S.↗

The structure of giant elliptical galaxies in poor clusters of galaxies

Detailed photographic surface photometry is presented of the nine first brightest galaxies in poor clusters suspected of being cD galaxies. The surface photometry is put on an absolute scale, using multiaperture photoelectric photometry. Oemler (1976) and de Vaucouleurs (1948) laws are fitted to the profiles to derive structural parameters, and the structural properties of the galaxies are compared with those of the cD galaxies in rich clusters studied by Oemler (1976) and those of normal ellipticals studied by Kormendy (1977). It is found that (1) the profiles of first brightest galaxies are well fitted by an r to the 1/4 power law over a range of more than nine magnitudes and down to the faintest light levels observed and (2) structural parameters characterizing only the central part of first brightest galaxies in poor and rich clusters, and excluding the envelope component in the case of rich clusters, smoothly extend properties exhibited by normal ellipticals. These observations are consistent with the idea that the central part of first brightest galaxies in both poor and rich clusters is made up by the mergers of smaller galaxies.

Thuan, T. X.↗

Five years of photometry of Sigma Geminorum

Thirteen observatories have collaborated in obtaining five years of photoelectric photometry for the bright, K1 III RS CVn binary Sigma Geminorum. Except for one year, the light curve has exhibited two minima which are separated by approximately half a cycle. At the 1977.2 epoch of discovery one minimum was shallower, but as of 1982.2 they have become comparable in depth. During the 1979-80 season, the light curve changed shape rapidly, with the shallower minimum becoming as deep as the other within a period of no more than 80 days. The overall brightness range during the five years in V has been 4.13-4.29 mag, and it is found that the times of both minima can be fit with a photometric period of 19.423 days.

Fried, R. E.↗

Optical photometry of SS 433 - 200 nights of data 1979-1980

Results from over 200 nights of optical photoelectric photometry of SS 433 during the period July 1979-October 1980 are presented. The data, taken in unfiltered light, the V band, an interference filter band centered on stationary H-alpha and a far-red band, provide evidence for an underlying 164-day light variation of peak-to-peak amplitudes 0.50 magnitude in V and 0.7 magnitude at 6567 A, and a binary-like variation with period 13.074 days and peak-to-peak amplitudes 0.50 and 0.60 magnitudes, respectively. The 13-day light curves are found to change slightly as a function of phase in the 164-day cycle, while seemingly erratic light fluctuations of up to 1 magnitude in 1 day and about 2 magnitudes in 3-4 days are imposed on both cyclic variations. It is noted that a conventional close-binary model is incapable of accounting for all the observed features, and alternatives involving some sort of luminous, rapidly changing extended low-mass envelope or screen in the binary system must be sought.

Kemp, J. C.↗

Catalogue of UBVRI photometry of T Tauri stars and analysis of the causes of their variability

A computer-based catalogue of UBVRI photoelectric photometry of T Tauri stars and their earlier type analogs has been compiled. It presently includes over 10 000 entries on 80 stars and will be updated on a regular basis; it is available on Internet. The catalogue is used to analyze the sometimes bizarre light variations of pre-main-sequence stars on time scales of days to months in an attempt to illuminate the nature and causes of the phenomenon. It is useful in discussing their light variations to divide the stars into three groups according to their spectra. These are: weak T Tauri stars (WTTS; spectral class later than K0 and W(sub H-alpha less than 10 A), classical T Tauri stars (CTTS; spectral class later than K0 and W(sub H-alpha) greater than 10 A), and early type T Tauri stars (ETTS; spectral class of K0 or earlier). Three distinct types of variability are displayed by stars in the catalogue. Type I variations are periodic in VRI and undoubtedly caused by rotational modulation of a star with an asymmetric distribution of cool spots on its surface. Irregular flare activity is sometimes seen on such stars in U and B. Type I variations are easiest to see on WTTS but are clearly present on CTTS and ETTS as well. Type II variations are caused by hot 'spots' or zones and, it is argued, result from changes in the excess or 'veiling' continuum commonly attributed to an accretion boundary layer or impact zone of a magnetically channeled accretion flow. This type of variation is seen predominantly or solely in CTTS. A subcategory, designated Type IIp, consists of stars which display periodic variations caused by hot spots. Whereas cool spots may last for hundreds or thousands of rotations, hot spots appear to come and go on a much shorter time scale. This suggests that both unsteady accretion and rotation of the star contribute to Type II variations. It is shown that a third type of variation exists among ETTS, including stars as early as A type. UX Ori is a typical example and we call these Type III variables or UXors. Their distinguishing characteristic is that they can display very large amplitudes (exceeding 2.8 mag in V) while showing little or no evidence for a veiling continuum or any substantial change in their photospheric spectra. If Type III variations are caused by changes in accretion luminosity, then boundary layers or impact zones in ETTS must be much different from CTTS which, of course, is possible since mass accretion rates are probably much higher. However, the leading hypothesis for explaining Type III variations is variable obscuration by circumstellar dust. It is argued that the putative dust clumps causing such variations cannot be confined to a disk; otherwise UXors would be rare. Perhaps magnetic effects are involved in levitating accreting dust out of the plane, as has been suggested for CTTS, or perhaps we are witnessing continuing infall of clumps from placental clouds. A third possibility is that dust may be condensing in an outflow.

Herbst, William↗

Photometric and CCD direct image observation of comet Encke

Attempted detection of periodic variations in brightness of the comet Encke is described. Viewing problems due to the position, faintness, and rate of motion of the comet are discussed. The failure of attempts to perform photoelectric photometry and CCD imaging is described. Photometric observations of the prototype Earth crosser, (1862) Apollo, are described and a photoelectric light curve of observations made during a four-hour period is presented.

Mccrosky, R. E.↗

Optical photometry of the 1982-1984 eclipse of Epsilon Aurigae

From slightly before the 1982-1984 eclipse of Epsilon Aurigae to the present observers from around the world have been making photoelectric photometry observations of this star system. Over 2000 UBV observations have been reported as well as observations in the R, I, J, H, K, L, M, N, and Q bandpasses plus the y, b, v, and u bandpasses. Twenty nine observers from 9 countries submitted photometry data to the campaign. The data have shown many interesting features of the star system including a Cepheid-like pulsation, flare activity, mid-eclipse brightening, post egress brightening, plus other strange activity.

Hopkins, J. L.↗

The brightness and lightcurve of Triton in 1987

At the 8900 A wavelength of the CCD and photoelectric photometry obtained for Triton in 1987, where than moon's methane absorption might be reflected as a strong contrast, no rotational lightcurve has been noted to a level of below 0.02 mag, in contradiction of Franz's (1981) apparent lightcurve of 0.06 mag observed in 1977. Triton's photoelectrically determined 1987 V magnitude is consistent with the most reliable of previous measurements, exhibiting no clear indication of long-term change.

Lark, Neil L.↗

Simultaneous X-ray and optical observations of X Persei

Photoelectric photometry of X Persei was obtained on five out of seven consective nights in January 1975, from the Lick and Leuschner Observatories. The observations yield B = 6.848 + or - 0.002, B-V = 0.139 + or - 0.001, with no strong evidence for variability during the observing run. These are the faintest and bluest photoelectric magnitudes and colors ever reported for X Per; this change apparently occured relatively uniformly during 1973-74 and is reminiscent of behavior last observed in approximately 1900. The suggested association of X Persei with the weak X-ray source 3U 0352+30 raises the possibility of detection of X-ray/optical covariability. On January 21, 1975, 7 hours of data were obtained from both observatories simulataneous with OAO Copernicus X-ray observations of 3U 0352+30. The X-ray data varied during this period by a factor of two, but there is no obviously correspondent optical activity, to a level of 0.02 mag. The optical data are also used to limit to 0.01 mag variations coincident with the X-ray periodicity.

Margon, B.↗