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At least 109 records · Page 6

Phase variability in the rapid optical oscillations of SS Cygni

High-speed photometry of SS Cygni on four nights during the 1978 September eruption revealed a small-amplitude optical oscillation with period 8.23 s and mean semiamplitude 0.0005 mag on September 21 and period 8.50 s and mean semiamplitude 0.0006 mag on September 23. If the observed periods present orbital periods near the surface of the white dwarf, then the white dwarf mass must exceed 0.92 solar mass. Phase variability of the oscillation is analyzed quantitatively and found to be less than that observed in 1978 June for soft X-ray pulsations from SS Cygni.

Horne, K.↗

Stepanyan's star - A new eclipsing cataclysmic variable

High-speed photometry of the nova-like variable Stepanyan's star shows a 3-hr 48-min orbital period marked by a 2.2-mag eclipse which spans orbital phases 0.91-0.09. The uneclipsed light is variable by typically 0.15 mag on time scales of minutes to seconds and shows no obvious modulation with orbital phase. Intermediate-band colors show an enhancement in Balmer continuum emission and in red light during the eclipse.

Horne, K.↗

Anomalous extinction in the planetary nebula Abell 30

The stellar continuous energy distribution from 8000 to 1250 A in Abell 30 is quite peculiar. The observed flux can be understood if a hot central star (approximately 200,000 K) is immersed in an absorbing dust cloud which has anomalous absorption with its peak near 2470 A. The dust nebula is a strong infrared source, maintained by conversion of the stellar UV flux. The internal reddening is E(B - V) = 0.30 mag and reaches 2.5 mag at 2470 A; it is best matched not by graphite but by laboratory observations of carbon smoke. Intense P Cygni lines show that a strong stellar wind exists. The central star may be an O subdwarf, approaching more nearly a helium-carbon degenerate DO.

Greenstein, J. L.↗

Photoelectric lightcurves and rotation periods of the asteroids 46 Hestia and 115 Thyra

Results of photoelectric observations of the medium-sized minor planets 46 Hestia and 115 Thyra are presented. Thyra, with a rotational period of 7.241 plus or minus 0.001 hours, and a maxima and minima total amplitude of 0.20 mag, is classified as an S-type object. Hestia, with a rotation period of 21.04 plus or minus 0.01 hours, and an amplitude of 0.12 mag, has well-defined minima separated by long-duration flat maxima, and resemble an eclipsing binary system. Multiple scattering factors are found to be 0.054 plus or minus 0.003, and 0.058 plus or minus 0.002 for Hestia and Thyra, respectively. Results are compared with values found by Bowell and Lumme (1979), showing good agreement, although some discrepancy is found with Thyra's low value for the multiple-scattering factor.

Scaltriti, F.↗

Changes in the high state of AM Herculis - A simultaneous X-ray, optical, polarimetric, and spectroscopic study

Simultaneous UBVR photometry, circular polarimetry, and high resolution spectroscopy observations (during May, 1979), coordinated with a monitor proportional counter and a solid state spectrometer, are reported for the cataclysmic variable AM Her, when it was in its normal 'high' state, where the mean visual magnitude was 12.5 mag versus 15 mag for the infrequent 'low' state. The circular polarization was always negative and had the smallest peak to peak amplitude yet reported. The emission lines He II 4686, H-beta, N III 4634, N III 4640-4641, C III 4650-4651, and He I 4713 present at least two components identified with the broad and sharp components of Greenstein at al. (1977). The radial velocity curve of the broad component shows a 50% reduction of amplitude in comparison to their values, and a third very broad component in 4686 is identified. No correlation between the optical photometry and 1-10 keV X-ray intensity was found on flickering time scales. Results of the observations are discussed within the framework of models with accretion onto one or both magnetic poles of the white dwarf.

Crosa, L.↗

The extinction toward the galactic center from observations of interstellar lines

H2CO absorption observations against Sgr A are used to select the molecular material lying in front of the galactic center, and an analysis similar to that of Blitz and Shu (1980) is carried out. The ratio of visual extinction to equivalent width of the 6 cm line of H2CO is found to be similar for several nearby interstellar clouds. By considering only the molecular components in front of the infrared cluster, the estimate for the extinction is decreased to 15-46 mag. These results are consistent with those from infrared observations toward the galactic center. Extinction estimates based on other interstellar species are also considered. Atomic gas is seen as contributing less than 10 mag of extinction.

Federman, S. R.↗

An ultraviolet investigation of the unusual eclipsing binary system FF AQR

A series of seven low dispersion IUE exposures in ultraviolet and wavelength regions obtained on December 6, 1981 during the eclipse of the subdwarf, during egress, and out of eclipse is analyzed. These observations and the binary phase at which they were made are shown on a schematic representation of the V-band light curve obtained in 1975. The depth in V is 0.15 mag. The circles are IUE V magnitudes from FES measures obtained during the observing run. They indicate an eclipse depth some 0.05 mag lower than expected, possibly due to difficulties with the color term in the FES calibration. The eclipse depths of Dworetsky in U, B and V were assumed in the calculations.

Dorren, J. D.↗

The X-ray and optical characteristics of the cataclysmic variables V794 Aquilae

Observations of V794 Aql have revealed features that are consistent with its inclusion in the class of cataclysmic variables. The features include: (1) a 0.1-4.5 keV luminosity of 5 x 10 to the 30th ergs/sec for a d-value of 100 pc, with a hardness ratio of 11; (2) blue colors; (3) 0.5 mag variability on 40-min time scales, and 3.0 mag variability on the time scale of one day; and (4) a weak He II 4686 A, which argues against classification of V794 Aql as an AM Her-type variable. It is predicted that V794 Aql has a period shorter than six hours, with a strong possibility for eclipses, and is a strong UV emission source.

Szkody, P.↗

Five-color band ultraviolet photometry of fourteen close binaries

Photometric observations obtained with the Astronomical Netherlands Satellite in five ultraviolet wavelength regions for 14 close binaries are presented. Strong excess far-ultraviolet flux is detected in four objects. The binaries TT Hya, RX Cas, and SX Cas exhibit a pronounced excess of far-ultraviolet flux, which is thought to be the result of mass transfer phenomena in these systems. Observations of the binary R Ara show very peculair variations; its far ultraviolet flux at 1550 A brightened by 0.4 mag between phases 0.7 and 0.8, while its near ultraviolet flux at 3300 A decreased by 0.5 mag over this same half-day interval. The A0 II-III component in the system RZ Sct is seen to dominate the ultraviolet spectrum.

Kondo, Y.↗

Predicted star counts in selected fields and photometric bands Applications to galactic structure, the disk luminosity function, and the detection of a massive halo

Tables are presented of predicted star counts in 17 selected directions on the sky as a function of apparent B, V, R, and I magnitudes and absolute visual magnitudes calculated from the Bahcall-Soneira Galaxy model. It is noted that eight of the fields were selected ab initio for their usefulness in determining from star counts either parameters of galactic structure, the faint end of the disk luminosity function, or the detection of a massive stellar halo. Star counts in specified fields to m sub I = 19 mag are able to reveal the faint end of the disk luminosity function down to the end of the hydrogen-burning main sequence. It is thought that star counts at high galactic latitudes to m sub I = 22 mag should reveal the stellar constituents of a massive halo if they are massive enough to be on the hydrogen-burning main sequence.

Bahcall, J. N.↗

uvby photometry in McCormick proper motion fields

The Danish 50 cm telescope at the European Southern Observatory was used to obtain high-precision uvby photometry for 50 F2 to G2 stars, with V values in the 9.4-12.3 mag range, which were selected in the southern galactic polar regions of the McCormick proper motion fields and measured on six different nights. The brighter stars are found to systematically exhibit smaller m(1) indices, of about 0.02 mag, upon comparison with the earlier data of Blaauw et al (1976). Single measurements are given for 98 stars in eight McCormick fields at intermediate southern galactic latitudes.

Degewij, J.↗

X-ray and optical measurements of the cataclysmic variable CH UMa

A program to identify optical counterparts of X-ray sources discovered with the Einstein Observatory has resulted in an independent identification of CH UMa as a cataclysmic variable. Spectrophotometric observations made with the Intensified Image Dissector Scanner on the 2.1-m telescope at KPNO revealed an emission line spectrum from an approximately 15 mag object similar to the spectra of cataclysmic variables. A subsequent search of the Harvard photographic plate collection revealed outbursts of 4 mag in amplitude.

Becker, R. H.↗

The relationship between carbon monoxide abundance and visual extinction in interstellar clouds

Carbon monoxide column densities are compared to visual extinctions toward field stars in the rho Oph and Taurus molecular cloud complexes. The relationship of C(0-18) column density to extinction is established, and new determinations for (C-13)O column densities are given for a range of visual extinctions extended to beyond 20 mag. A prescription for determining hydrogen column densities and masses of molecular clouds from observations of CO isotopes is presented and discussed critically. These measurements agree well with the predictions of gas phase chemistry models which include chemical fractionation and selective isotopic photodestruction. The functional dependence of the C(O-18) column density on extinction is characterized by two different regimes separated by a distinct transition observed to occur at 4 mag in both molecular cloud complexes, whereas the functional dependence of (C-13)O is quite different in the two regions. Some saturation is found to occur for C(O-18) emission at high visual extinction and use the rarer isotopic species C(O-17) and (C-13)(O-18) to correct for it.

Frerking, M. A.↗

CCD photometry of Abell clusters. I - Magnitudes and redshifts for 84 brightest cluster galaxies

The way in which the luminosity of brightest cluster galaxy varies with cluster parameters is investigated in a sample of 84 Abell clusters of moderate redshift and of richness classes in the zero-to-5 range. A photometric system is used which is well matched with the low noise CCD detector employed, as well as to the arrangement of galaxies with different redshifts on a standard system. The data, together with measurements from earlier work which forms a low redshift sample of the 199 brightest cluster galaxies, confirm that the luminosity dispersion in first-rank cluster galaxies is about 0.34 mag. The colors of giant ellipticals have not changed since redshifts of 0.25, and the richness correction is well established at 0.10 mag/Abell richness class. Application of these corrections reduces the luminosity dispersion to 0.29 mag.

Schneider, D. P.↗

Spectroscopy of blue stellar objects

Spectra have been obtained for the brightest objects from a list of blue stellar objects found in a Palomar Schmidt field centered on Kapteyn Selected Area 28. Four of the objects presented here comprise a complete sample of objects with UV excess and magnitudes brighter than or equal to B = 16.3 mag. The object with the largest UV excess is a previously undiscovered quasar of redshift 0.25 and cataloged B magnitude of 15.6 mag. The object shows some evidence of variability. Spectroscopy for one bright object in a companion field centered on Selected Area 29 is also presented.

Mitchell, K. J.↗

The photometric period of 39 AY Ceti

A photometric period of 77.65 days is derived for 39 AY Ceti through a comparison of photoelectric photometry obtained in 1971 and 1972 with that obtained in the periods 1980-1981 and 1981-1982. JD 2444636.0 is an epoch of minimum light, and the full amplitude is found to have been as large as 0.18 mag in V. It is noted that the mean light level has dropped by almost 0.2 mag over the last decade. The present binary star is also noteworthy in light of the recently discovered white dwarf secondary component, and because radial velocity measurements indicate an eccentricity as large as 0.1 and an orbital period which, at 57.1 days, differs considerably from the photometric period presented.

Hopkins, J. L.↗

Ultraviolet photometry of dwarf novae in outburst

Broad-band photometry from the Astronomical Netherlands Satellite of five dwarf novae at 1550, 1800, 2200, 2500, and 3300 A is presented. EM Cyg in standstill exhibits a flux excess at 3300 A. The lack of a strong extinction feature at 2200 A is seen as suggesting that the reddening is small toward all five systems. Using an independent estimate of the distances, mass flux rates are derived by fitting steady-state, optically thick accretion disk models to the observed UV luminosity. The rate is found to be 3 x 10 to the 17th g/s for Z Cam and EM Cyg in outburst and a factor of 3 smaller of Z Cam in standstill. The models, however, do not reproduce the slope of the Balmer continuum. Of special interest are the observations of outburst rises of SS Aur, SU UMa, and EM Cyg. SS Aur exhibits an exponential increase at a rate of 3.5 mag in 0.5 d. The outburst in EM Cyg also reveals an exponential rise, but at a rate of only 1.2 mag per day.

Wu, C.-C.↗

Some constraints on the color-magnitude diagram of giants in the galactic spheroid

The color-magnitude diagram of giants in the Galactic spheroid is shown to be important in determining the number-color histogram of stars brighter than B = 19 mag. This result is demonstrated by comparing a standard Galaxy model with observations of 391 stars in a field in the direction of Aquarius (l = 36.5 deg, b = -51.1 deg). More than 80 percent of the spheroid stars and 40 percent of all stars in this magnitude range and direction are predicted to be giants. At most, a few percent of the spheroid stars in the current sample can lie on the main sequence bluer than the turn-off onto the giant branch near B - V approximately 0.4. The available observations suggest that the blue tip of the horizontal branch of the spheroid must be sparsely populated about a factor of 10 less than would be expected if the color-magnitude diagram of the spheroid were the same as diagrams for any of the globular clusters M3, M13, or M92. The total dispersion in colors (measurement errors and intrinsic dispersion) has a standard deviation in B - V color that is less than 0.2 mag.

Bahcall, J. N.↗