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At least 55 records · Page 3

Vector space methods of photometric analysis. II - Refinement of the MK grid for B stars. III - The two components of ultraviolet reddening

This paper discusses systematic errors which arise from exclusive use of the MK system to determine reddening. It is found that implementation of uvby, beta photometry to refine the qualitative MK grid substantially reduces stellar mismatch error. A working definition of 'identical' ubvy, beta types is investigated and the relationship of uvby to B-V color excesses is determined. A comparison is also made of the hydrogen based uvby, beta types with the MK system based on He and metal lines. A small core correlated effective temperature luminosity error in the MK system for the early B stars is observed along with a breakdown of the MK luminosity criteria for the late B stars. The second part investigates the wavelength dependence of interstellar extinction in the ultraviolet wavelength range observed with the TD-1 satellite. In this study the sets of identical stars employed to find reddening are determined more precisely than in previous studies and consist only of normal, nonsupergiant stars. A multivariate analysis of variance techniques in an unbiased coordinate system is used for determining the wavelength dependence of reddening.

Massa, D.↗

New Determination of Fundamental Properties of Palomar 5 Using Deep DESI Imaging Data

The legacy imaging surveys for the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument project provides multiple-color photometric data, which are about 2 mag deeper than those from the SDSS. In this study, we redetermine the fundamental properties for an old halo globular cluster of Palomar 5 based on these new imaging data, including structure parameters, stellar population parameters, and luminosity and mass functions. These characteristics, together with its tidal tails, are key for dynamical studies of the cluster and constraining the mass model of the Milky Way. By fitting the King model to the radial surface density profile of Palomar 5, we derive the core radius of [[Formula]], tidal radius of [[Formula]], and concentration parameter of c = 0.78 ± 0.04. We apply a Bayesian analysis method to derive the stellar population properties and get an age of 11.508 ± 0.027 Gyr, metallicity of [Fe/H] = −1.798 ± 0.014, reddening of E(B − V) = 0.0552 ± 0.0005, and distance modulus of (m−M){sub 0} = 16.835±0.006. The main-sequence luminosity and mass functions for both the cluster center and tidal tails are investigated. The luminosity and mass functions at different distances from the cluster center suggest that there is obvious spatial mass segregation. Many faint low-mass stars have been evaporated at the cluster center, and the tidal tails are enhanced by low-mass stars. Both the concentration and relaxation times suggest that Palomar 5 is a totally relaxed system.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Ultraviolet extinction to 10.8 inverse microns

UV extinction curves that represent observed variations i diffuse clouds (Zeta Oph, Xi Per, and Sigma Sco) have been derived by combining IUE and Voyager data and have been modeled by a multicomponent size distribution of silicate and carbonaceous giants. We have used theoretical model atmospheres as our reddening-free standards, and, in the case of Zeta Oph, also compare with the use of a stellar standard. An attempt was made to classify the UV spectra via theoretical spectral indices, but still missing line opacity appears to limit the use of this method at the present. The modeling includes five possible grain ingrediants, largge (0.015-0.25 micrometers) and small (0.005 micrometers) silicate grains, similarly large and small carbonaceous grains, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The observed extinction curves are fitted by the model via nonlinear Chi-square-minimization, varying the fractional amount of cosmic Si and C that are locked up in each igredient. The observed variation from 'steep' to 'flat' UV extinction curves is found to correspond to a modest model variation in the lower limit of the power-law size distribution of the large grains. Graphite is found to be necessary grain ingredient that cannot be replaced by the laboratory amorphous carbon materials. Carbonaceous mantles on the larger silicate grains provide no good fits to the observed curves. Using absorption properties of neutral laboratory PAHs limits PAHs to a few percent of the cosmic C abundance for acceptable fits that also give values for R(sub V) close to the observed values.

Aannestad, Per A.↗

The stellar population of the Lupus clouds

We present photometric and spectroscopic observations of the H alpha emission stars in the Lupus dark cloud complex. We estimate the effective temperatures of the stars from their spectral types and calculate the reddening towards each object from the (R-I) colors. From these data, we derive mass and age distributions for the Lupus stars using a new set of pre-main sequence evolutionar tracks. We compare the results for the Lupus stars with those for a similar population of young stellar objects in Taurus-Auriga and Chamaeleon and with the initial mass function for field stars in the solar neighborhood. From the H-R diagrams, Lupus appears to contain older stars than Taurus. The Lupus dark clouds form a greater proportion of low mass stars than the Taurus complex. Also, the proportion of low mass stars in Lupus is higher than that predicted by the Miller-Scalo initial mass function, and the lowest mass stars in Lupus are less active than similar T Tauri stars in other regions.

Hughes, Joanne↗

The spectral energy distribution of NGC 1275

An analysis of absolute spectral energy distributions of interstellar gas for a galaxy (NGC 1275) is presented. Infrared spectra data shows heavy reddening. It is proposed that the interstellar gas may be ionized by shock waves or by nonthermal or stellar radiation. It is suggested, that high velocity, emission-line knots are H2 regions in a Perseus cluster galaxy or intergalactic gas cloud seen in projection against NGC 1275.

Shields, G. A.↗

How Does Abundance Affect the Strength of UV Emission in Elliptical Galaxies?

This program used the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) to observe elliptical galaxies with the intention of measuring the chemical abundances in their hot stellar populations. It was designed to complement an earlier FUSE program that observed elliptical galaxies with strong UV emission. The current program originally planned observations of two ellipticals with weak UV emission (M32 and M49). Once FUSE encountered pointing control problems in certain regions of the sky (particularly Virgo, which is very unfortunate for the study of ellipticals in general), M49 was replaced with the bulge of M31, which has a similar UV-to-optical flux ratio as the center of M49. As the closest elliptical galaxy and the one with the weakest UV-to-optical flux ratio, M32 was an obvious choice of target, but M49 was the ideal complementary target, because it has a very low reddening (unlike M32). With the inability of FUSE to point at Virgo, nearly all of the best elliptical galaxies (bright galaxies with low foreground extinction) were also lost, and this severely hampered three FUSE programs of the PI, all focused on the hot stellar populations of ellipticals. M31 was the best replacement for M49, but like M32, it suffers from significant foreground reddening. Strong Galactic ISM lines heavily contaminate the FUSE spectra of M31 and M32. These ISM lines are coincident with the photospheric lines from the stellar populations (whereas M49, with little foreground ISM and significant redshift, would not have suffered from this problem). We have reduced the faint (and thus difficult) data for M31 and M32, producing final co-added spectra representing all of the exposures, but we have not yet finished our analysis, due to the complication of the contaminating ISM. The silver lining here is the set of CHI lines at 1175 Angstroms, which are not significantly contaminated by the ISM. A comparison of the M31 spectrum with other galaxies observed by FEE showed a surprising result: the hot stars in M31 seem to have a similar carbon abundance to those stars in galaxies with much brighter UV emission. The fraction of these hot stars in a population should be a strong function of chemical abundances, so this finding warrants further exploration, and we are proceeding with our analysis. Because the UV emission in these galaxies comes from a population of extreme horizontal branch stars, the PI (Brown) presented this result at a June 2003 conference on such stars.

Sonneborn, George↗

Multiphase outflows in post-starburst E+A galaxies - II. A direct connection between the neutral and ionized outflow phases

ABSTRACT Post-starburst E+A galaxies are systems that hosted a powerful starburst that was quenched abruptly. Simulations suggest that these systems provide the missing link between major merger ULIRGs and red and dead ellipticals, where AGN feedback is responsible for the expulsion or destruction of the molecular gas. However, many details remain unresolved and little is known about AGN-driven winds in this short-lived phase. We present spatially resolved IFU spectroscopy with MUSE/VLT of SDSS J124754.95-033738.6, a post-starburst E+A galaxy with a recent starburst that started 70 Myr ago and ended 30 Myr ago, with a peak SFR of $\sim 150\, \mathrm{M_{\odot }\,yr^{ -1}}$. We detect disturbed gas throughout the entire field of view, suggesting triggering by a minor merger. We detect fast-moving multiphased gas clouds, embedded in a double-cone face-on outflow, which are traced by ionized emission lines and neutral NaID emission and absorption lines. We find remarkable similarities between the kinematics, spatial extents, and line luminosities of the ionized and neutral gas phases, and propose a model in which they are part of the same outflowing clouds, which are exposed to both stellar and AGN radiation. Our photoionization model provides consistent ionized line ratios, NaID absorption optical depths and EWs, and dust reddening. Using the model, we estimate, for the first time, the neutral-to-ionized gas mass ratio (about 20), the sodium neutral fraction, and the size of the outflowing clouds. This is one of the best ever observed direct connections between the neutral and ionized outflow phases in AGN.

Baron, Dalya↗

The continuum of type 1 Seyfert galaxies. I - A single form modified by the effects of dust

Broad-band measurements from 1 to 20 microns of 26 emission-line active galactic nuclei (AGNs), mainly Seyfert 1 galaxies, have been made. These data have been combined with previous optical and infrared photometry and IRAS 12, 25, 60 and 100 micron fluxes, giving a total sample of 37 AGNs, all of which have hard X-ray measurements. The sample includes all the emission-line AGNs identified in the Piccinotti et al. (1982) survey. When corrected for stellar contributions in the near-infrared, the continuum energy distributions can be classified observationally into three types: (1) bare, minimally reddened AGNs; (2) reddened AGNs; and (3) AGNs for which the far-infrared emission is contaminated by the host galaxy. These classifications reflect a range of luminosities and different environments rather than intrinsic differences in the primary continuum of the AGNs. The data are consistent with a single underlying form of active galaxy continuum modified by the presence of dust and of the host galaxy.

Ward, Martin↗

Infrared photometry of O stars

The results of a survey of 50 O stars in the J, H, K, L, and M bands are described. The observations are described, and the fitting of reddening relations to them is discussed. The zero points in the reddening relations are related to the intrinsic colors of the samples of normal stars, and these are compared with theoretical colors. The comparison reveals anomalies at L and M, which are discussed. The residuals for an individual star from the reddening relations are a measure of its infrared excesses, if indeed it has any. How the excesses can be fitted to a stellar wind model to derive a parameter that involves the rate of mass loss in the wind, the stellar radius and temperature, and wind terminal velocity is considered. The results for a number of individual stars are discussed and compared with other mass loss measurements, and it is concluded that no single model is capable of reconciling the IR, UV, radio, and H-alpha observations for the stars.

Castor, J. I.↗

Observations of the bright novalike variable IX Velorum with the Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope

The Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope, an experiment flown on the Space Shuttle as part of the Astro-1 mission, was used to obtain a spectrum of the novalike variable IX Vel (= CPD -48 deg 1577) in the wavelength range 830-1860 A. The observation revealed a rich absorption-line and continuum spectrum that peaks near 1050 A at a flux of 1.6 x 10(exp -11) ergs/sq cm/s/A. In the sub-Lyman-alpha region, some of the more prominent absorption lines are S VI lambda lambda-933, 945, C III lambda-977, Lyman-beta, O VI lambda lambda-1032, 1038, P V lambda lambda-1118, 1128, and C III lambda-1176. No emission was detected below the Lyman limit. The overall continuum shape of IX Vel in the FUV can be approximated using models of an optically thick accretion disk in which the integrated spectrum has been constructed by summing model stellar atmospheres or proper disk model spectra. However, if the distance to IX Vel is approximately 95 pc, standard disk models without reddening cannot simultaneously reproduce the color and flux in the UV. While interstellar reddening can reconcile this difference, the amount of reddening appears inconsistent with the absence of a 2200 A bump in the spectrum and the very low H I column density measured along the line of sight. Improved fits to the data can be obtained by modifying the accretion disk stucture within three white dwarf radii. None of the models reproduces the profiles of the Li- and Na-like ions, which are observed as strong but relatively narrow absorption lines, and which are almost surely due to a wind above the disk.

Long, Knox S.↗

A study of the Taurus dark cloud complex

A near-infrared survey has been conducted of nearly 20 square degrees of the Taurus dark cloud complex. Additional observations have been made of selected objects detected in this survey. These observations show that recently formed stars are spread throughout the cloud and that these stars are primarily T Tauri stars or T Tauri-like stars. Two luminous objects are identified embedded in the reflection nebulae IC 359 and IC 2087. A new Herbig-Haro object is also described. The reddening law of the dark cloud material is discussed; it does not appear to be unusual in the infrared. Comparison of the young stellar population in Taurus with that in Ophiuchus suggests that the star formation mechanisms in the two regions are qualitatively different

Elias, J. H.↗

Additional red and reddened stars in Cyg OB2 association

Several new red and reddened stars are detected in the most heavily reddened associations Cyg OB2. About 47 IRAS sources are detected in Cyg OB2. Their flux distributions, and colors, suggest that they are young stellar objects embedded in dust envelopes or disks (some of them may be proto stars) and are most likely members of the Cyg OB2 association. The large values of the flux ratio L sub IR/L sub VIS suggests that the central objects are obscured because of very large extinction.

Parthasarathy, M.↗

The Cambridge-Cambridge x-ray serendipity survey. 2: Classification of x-ray luminous galaxies

We present the results of an intermediate-resolution (1.5 A) spectroscopic study of 17 x-ray luminous narrow emission-line galaxies previously identified in the Cambridge-Cambridge ROSAT Serendipity Survey and the Einstein Extended Medium Sensitivity Survey. Emission-line ratios reveal that the sample is composed of ten Seyfert and seven starburst galaxies. Measured linewidths for the narrow H alpha emission lines lie in the range 170 - 460 km s(exp -1). Five of the objects show clear evidence for asymmetry in the (OIII) lambda 5007 emission-line profile. Broad H alpha emission is detected in six of the Seyfert galaxies, which range in type from Seyfert 1.5 to 2. Broad H beta emission is only detected in one Seyfert galaxy. The mean full width at half maximum for the broad lines in the Seyfert galaxies is FWHM = 3900 +/- 1750 km s(exp -1). Broad (FWHM = 2200 +/- 600 km s(exp -1) H alpha emission is also detected in three of the starburst galaxies, which could originate from stellar winds or supernovae remnants. The mean Balmer decrement for the sample is H alpha / H beta = 3, consistent with little or no reddening for the bulk of the sample. There is no evidence for any trend with x-ray luminosity in the ratio of starburst galaxies to Seyfert galaxies. Based on our previous observations, it is therefore likely that both classes of object comprise approximately 10 percent of the 2 keV x-ray background.

Boyle, B. J.↗

Spectroscopic Analysis of the Bulge Globular Cluster ESO 456-SC38

It has been suggested that the oldest stellar populations in the Milky Way are tightly bound and confined to the central regions of the Galaxy. This is one of the reasons why a handful of globular clusters located in the bulge region are thought to be remnants of the primeval formation stages of the Milky Way. The globular cluster, ESO 456-SC38 (Djorgovski 2), is one such cluster; it has a blue horizontal branch, is projected very close to the center of the Galaxy, and has an orbit confining it to the bulge/bar region. The first α abundances of seven stars in this heavily reddened cluster are presented using Apache Point Observatory Galaxy Evolution Experiment Data Release 16. A significant spread in the abundances of N, C, Na, and Al indicates the presence of multiple stellar populations in this cluster. Using Gaia DR2 proper motions and radial velocities from the Bulge Radial Velocity Assay for RR Lyrae stars, we confirm that RR Lyrae stars belong to this globular cluster.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Occultation of a Large Star by the Large Plutino (28978) Ixion on 2020 October 13 UTC

We observed the occultation of the star Gaia DR2 4056440205544338944 by (28978) Ixion. The event was observed from two Lowell Observatory sites, using the 4.3 m Lowell Discovery Telescope (LDT), near Happy Jack, AZ, USA, and a 0.32 m telescope co-mounted with the Titan Monitoring telescope on Lowell’s Mars Hill campus in Flagstaff, AZ. The LDT chord, at 44.86 s, was roughly 30% longer than the longest predicted possible chord. Under the assumption of a spherical body, Ixion’s fitted diameter D = 709.6 ± 0.2 km. The LDT light-curve profile was used to place an upper limit on the surface pressure P < 2 μbar on any possible atmosphere of Ixion. At the distance of Ixion, the occulted star had a fitted projected diameter of 19.25 ± 0.3 km assuming uniform disk illumination, giving a stellar angular diameter of 0.675 ± 0.010 mas. Using the Gaia EDR3 parallax of 0.565 mas, the stellar radius is 130{sub −17}{sup +20} R{sub ⊙}. The measured size is consistent with prior spectral classification of this star as a reddened mid-M giant. This is one of only a modest number of M5 III stars to have a directly measured diameter, and is more distant than most.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Measuring Young Stars in Space and Time. I. The Photometric Catalog and Extinction Properties of N44

In order to better understand the role of high-mass stellar feedback in regulating star formation in giant molecular clouds, we carried out a Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Treasury Program Measuring Young Stars in Space and Time (MYSST) targeting the star-forming complex N44 in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Using the F555W and F814W broadband filters of both the ACS and WFC3/UVIS, we built a photometric catalog of 461,684 stars down to m {sub F555W} ≃ 29 mag and m {sub F814W} ≃ 28 mag, corresponding to the magnitude of an unreddened 1 Myr pre-main-sequence star of ≈ 0.09 M {sub ☉} at the LMC distance. In this first paper we describe the observing strategy of MYSST and the data reduction procedure and present the photometric catalog. We identify multiple young stellar populations tracing the gaseous rim of N44's superbubble, together with various contaminants belonging to the LMC field population. We also determine the reddening properties from the slope of the elongated red clump (RC) feature by applying the machine-learning algorithm RANSAC, and we select a set of upper-main-sequence stars as primary probes to build an extinction map, deriving a relatively modest median extinction A {sub F555W} ≃ 0.77 mag. The same procedure applied to the RC provides A {sub F555W} ≃ 0.68 mag.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Characterizing K2 Candidate Planetary Systems Orbiting Low-Mass Stars. I. Classifying Low-Mass Host Stars Observed During Campaigns 1-7

We present near-infrared spectra for 144 candidate planetary systems identified during Campaigns 1-7 of the NASA K2 Mission. The goal of the survey was to characterize planets orbiting low-mass stars, but our Infrared Telescope Facility/SpeX and Palomar/TripleSpec spectroscopic observations revealed that 49% of our targets were actually giant stars or hotter dwarfs reddened by interstellar extinction. For the 72 stars with spectra consistent with classification as cool dwarfs (spectral types K3-M4), we refined their stellar properties by applying empirical relations based on stars with interferometric radius measurements. Although our revised temperatures are generally consistent with those reported in the Ecliptic Plane Input Catalog (EPIC), our revised stellar radii are typically 0.13 solar radius (39%) larger than the EPIC values, which were based on model isochrones that have been shown to underestimate the radii of cool dwarfs. Our improved stellar characterizations will enable more efficient prioritization of K2 targets for follow-up studies.

Campaigns17 of the NASA K2 Mission↗