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Discovery of magnetic fields in the βCephei star ξ1 CMa and in several slowly pulsating B stars*
We present the results of a magnetic survey of a sample of eightβCephei stars and 26 slowly pulsating B (SPBs) stars with the FOcalReducer low dispersion Spectrograph at the Very Large Telescope. A weakmean longitudinal magnetic field of the order of a few hundred Gauss isdetected in the βCephei star ξ1CMa and in 13 SPBstars. The star ξ1CMa becomes the third magnetic staramong the βCephei stars. Before our study, the star ζCas wasthe only known magnetic SPB star. All magnetic SPB stars for which wegathered several magnetic field measurements show a field that varies intime. We do not find a relation between the evolution of the magneticfield with stellar age in our small sample. Our observations imply thatβCephei and SPB stars can no longer be considered as classes ofnon-magnetic pulsators, but the effect of the fields on the oscillationproperties remains to be studied.

Evolution of magnetic fields in stars across the upper main sequence: I. Catalogue of magnetic field measurements with FORS 1 at the VLT
To properly understand the physics of Ap and Bp stars it is particularlyimportant to identify the origin of their magnetic fields. For that, anaccurate knowledge of the evolutionary state of stars that have ameasured magnetic field is an important diagnostic. Previous resultsbased on a small and possibly biased sample suggest that thedistribution of magnetic stars with mass below 3 M_ȯ in the H-Rdiagram differs from that of normal stars in the same mass range (Hubriget al. 2000). In contrast, higher mass magnetic Bp stars may well occupythe whole main-sequence width (Hubrig, Schöller & North 2005b).In order to rediscuss the evolutionary state of upper main sequencemagnetic stars, we define a larger and bias-free sample of Ap and Bpstars with accurate Hipparcos parallaxes and reliably determinedlongitudinal magnetic fields. We used FORS 1 at the VLT in itsspectropolarimetric mode to measure the magnetic field in chemicallypeculiar stars where it was unknown or poorly known as yet. In thisfirst paper we present our results of the mean longitudinal magneticfield measurements in 136 stars. Our sample consists of 105 Ap and Bpstars, two PGa stars, 17 HgMn stars, three normal stars, and nine SPBstars. A magnetic field was for the first time detected in 57 Ap and Bpstars, in four HgMn stars, one PGa star, one normal B-type star and fourSPB stars.

Evolution of interacting binaries with a B type primary at birth
We revisited the analytical expression for the mass ratio distributionfor non-evolved binaries with a B type primary. Selection effectsgoverning the observations were taken into account in order to comparetheory with observations. Theory was optimized so as to fit best withthe observed q-distribution of SB1s and SB2s. The accuracy of thistheoretical mass ratio distribution function is severely hindered by theuncertainties on the observations. We present a library of evolutionarycomputations for binaries with a B type primary at birth. Some liberalcomputations including loss of mass and angular momentum during binaryevolution are added to an extensive grid of conservative calculations.Our computations are compared statistically to the observeddistributions of orbital periods and mass ratios of Algols. ConservativeRoche Lobe Over Flow (RLOF) reproduces the observed distribution oforbital periods but fails to explain the observed mass ratios in therange q in [0.4-1]. In order to obtain a better fit the binaries have tolose a significant amount of matter, without losing much angularmomentum.

B Star Rotational Velocities in h and χ Persei: A Probe of Initial Conditions during the Star Formation Epoch?
Projected rotational velocities (vsini) have been measured for 216 B0-B9stars in the rich, dense h and χ Persei double cluster and comparedwith the distribution of rotational velocities for a sample of fieldstars having comparable ages (t~12-15 Myr) and masses (M~4-15Msolar). For stars that are relatively little evolved fromtheir initial locations on the zero-age main sequence (ZAMS) (those withmasses M~4-5 Msolar), the mean vsini measured for the h andχ Per sample is slightly more than 2 times larger than the meandetermined for field stars of comparable mass, and the cluster and fieldvsini distributions differ with a high degree of significance. Forsomewhat more evolved stars with masses in the range 5-9Msolar, the mean vsini in h and χ Per is 1.5 times thatof the field; the vsini distributions differ as well, but with a lowerdegree of statistical significance. For stars that have evolvedsignificantly from the ZAMS and are approaching the hydrogen exhaustionphase (those with masses in the range 9-15 Msolar), thecluster and field star means and distributions are only slightlydifferent. We argue that both the higher rotation rates and the patternof rotation speeds as a function of mass that differentiatemain-sequence B stars in h and χ Per from their field analogs werelikely imprinted during the star formation process rather than a resultof angular momentum evolution over the 12-15 Myr cluster lifetime. Wespeculate that these differences may reflect the effects of the higheraccretion rates that theory suggests are characteristic of regions thatgive birth to dense clusters, namely, (1) higher initial rotationspeeds; (2) higher initial radii along the stellar birth line, resultingin greater spin-up between the birth line and the ZAMS; and (3) a morepronounced maximum in the birth line radius-mass relationship thatresults in differentially greater spin-up for stars that become mid- tolate-B stars on the ZAMS.

NaI and CaII absorption components observed towards the Orion-Eridanus Superbubble
We present medium-resolution spectra (R ~ 7.5 km s-1) of theinterstellar NaI and CaII interstellar absorption lines observed towards16 early-type stars with distances of 160-1 kpc in the line-of-sighttowards the Orion-Eridanus Superbubble (OE-S). These data have beensupplemented with measurements of NaI absorption towards a further 13stars with similar sight-lines taken from the literature. We detect twomajor absorption components with velocities of Vlsr ~ +7.0and -8.0 km s-1. The former component, seen in 70% of thesight-lines is associated with the boundary to the Local Bubble cavitylocated at a distance of 140-150 pc. The other absorption component isonly detected towards a limited region of the sky bounded by (190°< l < 215°) and (-50° < b < -30°). If gas withthis velocity is associated with an outer expansion shell of the OE-S,then we can place its distance at 163-180 pc in agreement with theestimate by Guo et al. (1995, ApJ, 453, 256). Several other negativevelocity components at Vlsr ~ -20.4, -28.5 and -33.5 kms-1 have also been detected for sight-line distances > 220pc within an area coincident with that of the 0.75 keV X-ray enhancementof the OE-S. Column density ratios, N(NaI)/N(CaII), for the mostnegative velocity components have values < 1.0, suggesting that thisgas has been disrupted by a possible shock event. Our data do notsupport a simple model for the OE-S that involves a single stellarbubble cavity that stretches from the Orion Nebula to high galacticlatitudes. Instead, our detection of multiple positive and negativevelocity components suggests the presence of several gas shells producedby supernovae and/or stellar wind-driven shocks. We also confirm thatthe prominent "hook-like" feature of H-α emission thatcharacterizes the OE-S, in in fact composed of two physically separateemission arcs, with the brighter Arc A being at a distance > 500 pc.Finally, we place a similar distance limit for any coherently structuredrear shell of neutral gas associated with expansion of the OE-S towardsthe galactic halo.

A study of bright southern slowly pulsating B stars. III. Mode identification for singly-periodic targets in spectroscopy
We present the results of the mode identification for a sample of 7bright southern slowly pulsating B stars showing one pulsation frequencyin the λλ 413 nm Si II profiles. We combined the resultsfrom (1) the method of photometric amplitudes; (2) the moment method;and (3) the amplitude and phase variation across the profile to searchfor the ℓ and m values of the modes best fitting the data. It is thefirst time that the applicability of these techniques is tested to asample of main-sequence g-mode pulsators. Combining the moment methodwith the amplitude and phase variations across the observed line profilegives an improvement in spectroscopic identification of low degree ℓg-mode pulsations. Using the variations of the higher order even moments< v4> and < v6> of the moment methodsolutions can also help. For HD 181558, HD 24587, HD 140873 and HD177863, the photometric and spectroscopic results are compatible andpoint towards (ℓ,m) = (1, +1) sectoral modes. For HD 215573, HD53921 and HD 92287, the results are inconclusive. Our proposedmethodology for mode identification is also applicable to γDoradus stars.Based on observations collected with the CAT Telescope of the EuropeanSouthern Observatory and with the Swiss Photometric Telescope of theGeneva Observatory, both situated at La Silla in Chile.

A Photometric and Spectroscopic Study of 3 Vulpeculae: An Observer's Nightmare
We describe photometry of 3 Vulpeculae obtained with the Four CollegeAutomated Photoelectric Telescope and spectroscopy obtained with the1.22 m telescope of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory. We haveanalyzed differential uvby photometric observations obtained over 7 yr.Three main frequencies (f1=0.9719, f2=0.7923, andf3=0.8553 cycles day-1) were found, as well as asum frequency (f1+f2=1.76420 cyclesday-1). A study of the photographic region usinghigh-dispersion spectrograms obtained with a Reticon detector at thecoudé spectrograph confirms the variable nature of 3 Vul as a 53Persei star and indicates that the star's abundances are normal formain-sequence band B stars. The new spectra were combined with thosepreviously published to confirm an orbital period very close to 1 yr.Finally, comparison with models yielded both a mass (4.16Msolar) and an age (25 Myr), and a mass range for thecompanion (0.6-1.1 Msolar). With an orbital period of almost1 yr and a pulsation period of almost 1 day, this star is indeed anobserver's nightmare.

3D mapping of the dense interstellar gas around the Local Bubble
We present intermediate results from a long-term program of mapping theneutral absorption characteristics of the local interstellar medium,motivated by the availability of accurate and consistent parallaxes fromthe Hipparcos satellite. Equivalent widths of the interstellar NaID-line doublet at 5890 Å are presented for the lines-of-sighttowards some 311 new target stars lying within ~ 350 pc of the Sun.Using these data, together with NaI absorption measurements towards afurther ~ 240 nearby targets published in the literature (for many ofthem, in the directions of molecular clouds), and the ~ 450lines-of-sight already presented by (Sfeir et al. \cite{sfeir99}), weshow 3D absorption maps of the local distribution of neutral gas towards1005 sight-lines with Hipparcos distances as viewed from a variety ofdifferent galactic projections.The data are synthesized by means of two complementary methods, (i) bymapping of iso-equivalent width contours, and (ii) by densitydistribution calculation from the inversion of column-densities, amethod devised by Vergely et al. (\cite{vergely01}). Our present dataconfirms the view that the local cavity is deficient in cold and neutralinterstellar gas. The closest dense and cold gas ``wall'', in the firstquadrant, is at ~ 55-60 pc. There are a few isolated clouds at closerdistance, if the detected absorption is not produced by circumstellarmaterial.The maps reveal narrow or wide ``interstellar tunnels'' which connectthe Local Bubble to surrounding cavities, as predicted by the model ofCox & Smith (1974). In particular, one of these tunnels, defined bystars at 300 to 600 pc from the Sun showing negligible sodiumabsorption, connects the well known CMa void (Gry et al. \cite{gry85}),which is part of the Local Bubble, with the supershell GSH 238+00+09(Heiles \cite{heiles98}). High latitude lines-of-sight with the smallestabsorption are found in two ``chimneys'', whose directions areperpendicular to the Gould belt plane. The maps show that the LocalBubble is ``squeezed'' by surrounding shells in a complicated patternand suggest that its pressure is smaller than in those expandingregions.We discuss the locations of several HI and molecular clouds. Usingcomparisons between NaI and HI or CO velocities, in some cases we areable to improve the constraints on their distances. According to thevelocity criteria, MBM 33-37, MBM 16-18, UT 3-7, and MBM 54-55 arecloser than ~ 100 pc, and MBM 40 is closer than 80 pc. Dense HI cloudsare seen at less than 90 pc and 85 pc in the directions of the MBM 12and MBM 41-43 clouds respectively, but the molecular clouds themselvesmay be far beyond. The above closest molecular clouds are located at theneutral boundary of the Bubble. Only one translucent cloud, G192-67, isclearly embedded within the LB and well isolated.These maps of the distribution of local neutral interstellar NaI gas arealso briefly compared with the distribution of both interstellar dustand neutral HI gas within 300 pc.Tables 1 and 2 are only available in electronic form at the CDS viaanonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp:cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/411/447

Quantitative Stellar Spectral Classification. II. Early Type Stars
The method developed by Stock & Stock (1999) for stars of spectraltypes A to K to derive absolute magnitudes and intrinsic colors from theequivalent widths of absorption lines in stellar spectra is extended toB-type stars. Spectra of this type of stars for which the Hipparcoscatalogue gives parallaxes with an error of less than 20% were observedwith the CIDA one-meter reflector equipped with a Richardsonspectrograph with a Thompson 576×384 CCD detector. The dispersionis 1.753 Å/pixel using a 600 lines/mm grating in the first order.In order to cover the spectral range 3850 Å to 5750 Å thegrating had to be used in two different positions, with an overlap inthe region from 4800 Å to 4900 Å . A total of 116 stars wasobserved, but not all with both grating positions. A total of 12measurable absorption lines were identified in the spectra and theirequivalent widths were measured. These were related to the absolutemagnitudes derived from the Hipparcos catalogue and to the intrinsiccolors (deduced from the MK spectral types) using linear and secondorder polynomials and two or three lines as independent variables. Thebest solutions were obtained with polynomials of three lines,reproducing the absolute magnitudes with an average residual of about0.40 magnitudes and the intrinsic colors with an average residual of0.016 magnitudes.

On the behavior of the Cii 4267.261, 6578.052 and 6582.882 Å lines in chemically peculiar and standard stars
With the aim of investigating the possible particular behavior of carbonin a sample of chemically peculiar stars of the main sequence withoutturning to modeling, we performed spectroscopic observations of threeimportant and usually prominent single ionized carbon lines: 4267.261,6578.052 and 6582.882 Å. In addition, we observed a large numberof standard stars in order to define a kind of normality strip, usefulfor comparing the observed trend for the peculiar stars. We paidparticular attention to the problem of the determination of fundamentalatmospheric parameters, especially for the chemically peculiar stars forwhich the abundance anomalies change the flux distribution in such a waythat the classical photometric methods to infer effective temperaturesand gravities parameter cannot be applied. Regarding CP stars, we founda normal carbon abundance in Hg-Mn, Si (with some exceptions) and Hestrong stars. He weak stars are normal too, but with a large spread outof the data around the mean value. A more complicated behavior has beennoted in the group of SrCrEu stars: four out of seven show a strongoverabundance, being the others normal.

Photometric modelling of slowly pulsating B stars
The photometric characteristics of slowly pulsating B stars areinvestigated using a numerical approach. Stability calculations areperformed for a set of stellar models representative of the mid-B type,using a non-radial non-adiabatic pulsation code. The results from thesecalculations are used to synthesize photometry, in several commonsystems, for unstable modes of harmonic degrees l=1...4. Focusing on theGeneva system for illustrative purposes, a variety of techniques areemployed to analyse and visualize the synthetic data, including the useof multicolour-amplitudes and amplitude-phase diagnostic diagrams. Oneoutstanding aspect of the analysis is the discovery, for the l=2...4modes, of `inter-term cancellation' (ITC) - the process of destructiveinterference between the flux variations originating from surfacetemperature perturbations and those arising from radius perturbations.The ITC can be severe enough that a mode may be excited to a significantamplitude, and yet exhibit levels of photometric variability that fallbelow typical observational detection thresholds. Furthermore, it canaffect not only the light variations in a given photometric passband,but also the variations of the bolometric flux. However, thecancellation is dependent on wavelength, and will not occur to the samedegree in more than one passband. Therefore, simultaneous observation ina multitude of passbands represents the best approach to ensuring thatno modes are overlooked during searches for variability in B-type stars.A consequence of ITC is that ratios between the variability amplitude,in differing passbands, become very sensitive towards mode-to-modechanges in the pulsation. This increased sensitivity will tend tocomplicate any attempts at identifying the harmonic degrees of the modesresponsible for observed variability. However, the cancellation alsointroduces significant phase differences between the light variations ineach passband, especially for the l=3 and l=4 modes. On the grounds thatcorrespondingly large phase differences are not seen in observationaldata, it is argued that the variability seen in slowly pulsating B starscan tentatively be attributed to l=1 and l=2 modes.

Rotational Velocities of B Stars
We measured the projected rotational velocities of 1092 northern B starslisted in the Bright Star Catalogue (BSC) and calibrated them againstthe 1975 Slettebak et al. system. We found that the published values ofB dwarfs in the BSC average 27% higher than those standards. Only 0.3%of the stars have rotational velocities in excess of two-thirds of thebreakup velocities, and the mean velocity is only 25% of breakup,implying that impending breakup is not a significant factor in reducingrotational velocities. For the B8-B9.5 III-V stars the bimodaldistribution in V can be explained by a set of slowly rotating Ap starsand a set of rapidly rotating normal stars. For the B0-B5 III-V starsthat include very few peculiar stars, the distributions in V are notbimodal. Are the low rotational velocities of B stars due to theoccurrence of frequent low-mass companions, planets, or disks? Therotational velocities of giants originating from late B dwarfs areconsistent with their conservation of angular momentum in shells.However, we are puzzled by why the giants that originate from the earlyB dwarfs, despite having 3 times greater radii, have nearly the samerotational velocities. We find that all B-type primaries in binarieswith periods less than 2.4 days have synchronized rotational and orbitalmotions; those with periods between 2.4 and 5.0 days are rotating withina factor 2 of synchronization or are ``nearly synchronized.'' Thecorresponding period ranges for A-type stars are 4.9 and 10.5 days, ortwice as large. We found that the rotational velocities of the primariesare synchronized earlier than their orbits are circularized. The maximumorbital period for circularized B binaries is 1.5 days and for Abinaries is 2.5 days. For stars of various ages from 107.5 to1010.2 yr the maximum circularized periods are a smoothexponential function of age.

A study of bright southern slowly pulsating B stars. II. The intrinsic frequencies
We present the results of detailed frequency analyses of a sample ofthirteen confirmed slowly pulsating B stars. Our analysis is based on acombination of elaborate photometric and spectroscopic data-sets. Theoriginal sample consists of a mixture of five confirmed slowly pulsatingB stars and twelve candidate slowly pulsating B stars discovered thanksto the photometric measurements of the HIPPARCOS satellite. HD 55522 andHD 131120 turn out to be chemically peculiar stars. HD 169978 and HD69144 are two ellipsoidal variables for which no intrinsic variabilityis found. At least nine of the thirteen studied slowly pulsating B starsare multi-periodic. For HD 74195, HD 85953, HD 123515 and HD 215573, theobserved frequency spacings suggest that we are dealing with frequencymultiplets. For the apparent mono-periodic binary HD 24587, it is notclear if the observed variations are induced by stellar pulsation and/orby rotation modulation. We highlight the statistical character of theobserved pulsational properties of our sample. Based on observationscollected with the CAT Telescope of the European Southern Observatoryand with the Swiss Photometric Telescope of the Geneva Observatory, bothsituated at La Silla in Chile Full Tables 2-4, 6-15 are only availablein electronic form at the CDS via anounymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr(130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/393/965

Are Stellar Rotational Axes Distributed Randomly?
Stellar line widths yield values of Vsini, but the equatorial rotationalvelocities, V, cannot be determined for individual stars withoutknowledge of their inclinations, i, relative to the lines of sight. Forlarge numbers of stars we usually assume random orientations ofrotational axes to derive mean values of V, but we wonder whether thatassumption is valid. Individual inclinations can be derived only inspecial cases, such as for eclipsing binaries where they are close to90° or for chromospherically active late-type dwarfs or spotted(e.g., Ap) stars where we have independent information about therotational periods. We consider recent data on 102 Ap stars for whichCatalano & Renson compiled rotational periods from the literatureand Abt & Morrell (primarily) obtained measures of Vsini. We findthat the rotational axes are oriented randomly within the measuringerrors. We searched for possible dependence of the inclinations onGalactic latitude or longitude, and found no dependence.

Catalogue of Apparent Diameters and Absolute Radii of Stars (CADARS) - Third edition - Comments and statistics
The Catalogue, available at the Centre de Données Stellaires deStrasbourg, consists of 13 573 records concerning the results obtainedfrom different methods for 7778 stars, reported in the literature. Thefollowing data are listed for each star: identifications, apparentmagnitude, spectral type, apparent diameter in arcsec, absolute radiusin solar units, method of determination, reference, remarks. Commentsand statistics obtained from CADARS are given. The Catalogue isavailable in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp tocdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcar?J/A+A/367/521

A study of bright southern slowly pulsating B stars. I. Determination of the orbital parameters and of the main frequency of the spectroscopic binaries
In 1996, we started a long-term spectroscopic and photometric study of17 southern Slowly Pulsating B-stars. In this paper, we report ourfinding that at least 8 of them turn out to be spectroscopic binaries.We present the results of the determination of the orbits from thespectroscopic data. There is a great variety in the derived orbits.HD123515 and HD140873 were known as single-lined spectroscopic binaries,but both turn out to be double-lined. All the others binaries aresingle-lined. For HD140873 and HD177863, we find orbits with a largeeccentricity of respectively e=0.731 +/- 0.006 and e=0.603 +/- 0.007.HD69144, HD92287 and HD169978 are three circular binaries with a veryshort orbital period (a few days). Since their photometric measurementsare dominated by a (close to) sinusoidal variation with twice theorbital frequency, these stars are ellipsoidal variables. Their orbitalperiods are of the same order of magnitude as the periods of pulsation.After removing the orbit, we find the same first frequency in theresidual radial velocities as in the gathered photometric measurementsfor 6 stars. For HD69144 and HD169978 we did not yet succeed in derivingan intrinsic period, although HD69144 has prominent line profilevariations. HD169978 was misclassified as an SPB. Based on observationscollected with the CAT Telescope of the European Southern Observatoryand with the Swiss Photometric Telescope of the Geneva Observatory, bothsituated at La Silla in Chile

Long-term spectroscopic monitoring of pulsating B stars : a tribute to the CAT.
Not Available

A Second Catalog of Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 2 Filter Photometry: Ultraviolet Photometry of 614 Stars
Ultraviolet photometry from the Wisconsin Experiment Package on theOrbiting Astronomical Observatory 2 (OAO 2) is presented for 614 stars.Previously unpublished magnitudes from 12 filter bandpasses withwavelengths ranging from 1330 to 4250 Å have been placed on thewhite dwarf model atmosphere absolute flux scale. The fluxes wereconverted to magnitudes using V=0 for F(V)=3.46x10^-9 ergs cm^-2 s^-1Å^-1, or m_lambda=-2.5logF_lambda-21.15. This second catalogeffectively doubles the amount of OAO 2 photometry available in theliterature and includes many objects too bright to be observed withmodern space observatories.

Variability of the Hei5876 { Angstroms} line in early type chemically peculiar stars
Chemically peculiar stars present spectral and photometric variabilitywith a single period. In the oblique rotator model, the non homogeneousdistribution of elements on the stellar surface is at the origin of theobserved variations. As to helium weak stars, it has been suggested thatphotometric and helium line equivalent width variations are out ofphase. To understand the behaviour of helium in CP stars, we haveobtained time resolved spectra of the Hei5876\ { Angstroms} line for asample of 16 chemically peculiar stars in the spectral range B3 - A1 andbelonging to different sub-groups. The Hei5876 { Angstroms} line is tooweak to be measured in the spectra of the stars HD 24155, HD 41269, andHD 220825. No variation of the equivalent width of the selected He linehas been revealed in the stars HD 22920, HD 24587, HD 36589, HD 49606,and HD 209515. The equivalent width variation of the Hei5876 {Angstroms} line is in phase with the photometric variability for thestars HD 43819, HD 171247 and HD 176582. On the contrary it is out ofphase for the stars HD 28843, HD 182255 and HD 223640. No clear relationhas been found for the stars HD 26571 and HD 177003.

Strömgren and Hβ photometry of O and B type stars in star-forming regions. II. Monoceros OB2, Canis Major OB1 and Collinder 121
Strömgren and Hβ photometry of O and B type stars, generallybrighter than 10 mag is presented for the fields of the galactic OBassociations Monoceros OB2, Canis Major OB1 and Collinder 121. Theobservations are based on the PPM catalogue identifications and aredesigned to improve the completeness of the existing uvbybeta data forthe bright early-type stars in these fields. We present new uvbyphotometry for 343 stars and Hβ photometry for 213 of them. Theseobservations are part of our effort to study the structure of selectedstar-forming regions in the Milky Way, utilizing uvbybeta photometry.Based on data from the Strömgren Automatic Telescope of theCopenhagen Astronomical Observatory, La Silla. Tables 3 and 4 are onlyavailable in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp to130.79.128.5 or via http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html

Strömgren and Hβ photometry of O and B type stars in star-forming regions. I. Canis Major - Puppis - Vela
Strömgren and Hβ photometry of OB-stars generally brighterthan 9.5 mag in the Canis Major - Puppis - Vela region of Milky Way isreported. The observations are based on the Milky Way luminous-star (LS)identifications and are designed to create a complete, magnitude-limitedsample of LS for this field. We present new uvby photometry for 127 LSand Hβ photometry for 25 of them. These observations are part of anongoing effort to improve the completeness of the existing uvbybetadata-base for the bright OB-type stars in the Milky Way, with the aim toinvestigate the structure of selected star-forming regions. Based ondata from the Strömgren Automatic Telescope of the CopenhagenAstronomical Observatory, La Silla. Tables 3 and 4 are only available inelectronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp to 130.79.128.5 or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html

Selection of a sample of bright southern Slowly Pulsating B Stars for long-term photometric and spectroscopic monitoring
The photometric experiment on Hipparcos has led to the discovery of,among other types of variables, a large amount of new Slowly Pulsating BStars. We have selected twelve bright southern stars of this sample,together with five previously known Slowly Pulsating B Stars, forspectroscopic and photometric monitoring. These seventeen stars havespectral types ranging from B 2 up to B 9 and thus fully cover theinstability strip. We here present the results of a preliminary analysisof our data and show that our sample is an extremely important one toperform seismology of intermediate-massive stars. In particular, we findthat all but one of the selected stars exhibit clear line-profilevariability. The broader-lined Slowly Pulsating B Stars tend to havemore complex line-profile variations. One of the previously known SlowlyPulsating B stars was known to be a binary. Besides this star, anothersix of the selected Slowly Pulsating B stars turn out to be multiplesystems. Five of these seven binaries have large rotational velocitiesand complicated line-profile variations with moving subfeatures. It isnot yet clear whether or not the binarity results in a particularspectrum of excited modes. Based on observations collected with the CATTelescope of the European Southern Observatory and with the SwissPhotometric Telescope of the Geneva Observatory, both situated at LaSilla in Chile

An extensive Delta a-photometric survey of southern B and A type bright stars
Photoelectric photometry of 803 southern BS objects in the Deltaa-system as detection tool for magnetic chemically peculiar (=CP2) starshas been carried out and compared to published spectral types. Thestatistical yield of such objects detected by both techniques ispractically the same. We show that there are several factors whichcontaminate the search for these stars, but this contamination is onlyof the order of 10% in both techniques. We find a smooth transition fromnormal to peculiar stars. Our sample exhibits the largest fraction ofCP2 stars at their bluest colour interval, i.e. 10% of all stars in thecolour range -0.19 <= B-V < -0.10 or -0.10 <= b-y < -0.05.No peculiar stars based on the Delta a-criterion were found at bluercolours. Towards the red side the fraction of CP2 stars drops to about3% for positive values of B-V or b-y with red limits roughlycorresponding to normal stars of spectral type A5. The photometricbehaviour of other peculiar stars: Am, HgMn, delta Del, lambda Boo, Heabnormal stars, as well as Be/shell stars and supergiants shows someslight, but definite deviations from normal stars. Spectroscopic andvisual binaries are not distinguished from normal stars in their Delta abehaviour. The results of this work justify larger statistical work(e.g. in open clusters) employing more time-saving photometric methods(CCD). \newpage Based on observations obtained at the European SouthernObservatory, La Silla, Chile. This research has made use of the Simbaddatabase, operated at CDS, Strasbourg, France. Table 2 is only availablein electronic form via anonymous ftp 130.79.128.5 orhttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html

The observed periods of AP and BP stars
A catalogue of all the periods up to now proposed for the variations ofCP2, CP3, and CP4 stars is presented. The main identifiers (HD and HR),the proper name, the variable-star name, and the spectral type andpeculiarity are given for each star as far as the coordinates at 2000.0and the visual magnitude. The nature of the observed variations (light,spectrum, magnetic field, etc.) is presented in a codified way. Thecatalogue is arranged in three tables: the bulk of the data, i.e. thosereferring to CP2, CP3, and CP4 stars, are given in Table 1, while thedata concerning He-strong stars are given in Table 2 and those foreclipsing or ellipsoidal variables are collected in Table 3. Notes arealso provided at the end of each table, mainly about duplicities. Thecatalogue contains data on 364 CP stars and is updated to 1996, October31. This research has made use of the SIMBAD database, operated at CDS,Strasbourg, France.

A spectroscopic study of some suspected chemically peculiar stars
Time-resolved spectra in the 410 - 700 nm range have been obtained toinvestigate 10 stars which are classified as suspected chemicallypeculiar stars in The General Catalogue of Ap and Am stars by Renson etal. (1991) or in the latest literature. Among the studied stars, HD20629presents metal abundances which are significantly different from mainsequence star values and it should be classified as Silicon star. Fromthe Hei587.6 nm line, we conclude that HD35575 is a helium weak star.Because of the found radial velocity variability and the derivedabundances, the periodic photometric variable HD38602 could be anellipsoidal variable.

Study of an unbiased sample of B stars observed with Hipparcos: the discovery of a large amount of new slowly pulsating B stars
We present a classification of 267 new variable B-type stars discoveredby Hipparcos. We have used two different classification schemes and theyboth result in only a few new beta Cephei stars, a huge number of newslowly pulsating B stars, quite some supergiants with alpha Cyg-typevariations and variable CP stars, and further some new periodic Be starsand eclipsing binaries. Our results clearly point out the biased naturetowards short-period variables of earlier, ground-based surveys ofvariable stars. The position of the new beta Cephei stars and slowlypulsating B stars in the HR diagram is determined by means of Genevaphotometry and is confronted with the most recent calculations of theinstability strips for both groups of variables. We find that the newbeta Cephei stars are situated in the blue part of the instability stripand that the new slowly pulsating B stars almost fully cover thetheoretical instability domain determined for such stars. Thesupergiants with alpha Cyg-type variations are situated between theinstability strips of the beta Cephei and the slowly pulsating B starson the one hand and previously known supergiants that exhibitmicrovariations on the other hand. This suggests some connection betweenthe variability caused by the kappa mechanism acting in a zone ofpartially ionised metals and the unknown cause of the variations insupergiants.

Secondary standard stars for UVBY beta CCD photometry
Accurate standard uvby indices are presented for 73 southern B, A, F andG stars in the $V$ magnitude range 8.2 to 10.9. They cover all threetransformation regions of the $uvby$ system (Olsen \cite[1983]{Olsen1})well. Standard $\beta$ indices are included for the 55 B, A, and F starsin the sample. Our results provide a useful set of secondary standardsfor uvby beta CCD photometry with southern hemisphere 1-2 m classtelescopes. A critical comparison with published photometry, in generalbased on fewer observations, is given. Based on observations made at theEuropean Southern Observatory, La Silla, Chile. Tables 3, 4, 5 are alsoavailable in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp tocdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html

Magnesium abundance in main sequence B-type and magnetic chemically peculiar stars.
The abundance of magnesium for a sample of 19 main sequence B-type and41 magnetic chemically peculiar stars has been derived by spectrumsynthesis analysis of the MgII448.1nm line under the LTE assumption. Thelogarithm of the average Mg abundance for the main sequence stars is log(N(MgII)/N(Tot))=-4.28+/-0.19. Comparing magnetic chemically peculiar(Cp) and main sequence stars with equal effective temperature andgravity, one finds that the magnesium abundance tends to be lower inpeculiar stars with the exception of helium rich stars where thiselement can be overabundant. In Cp stars with effective temperature ofabout 14000K, the magnesium abundance does not depend on gravity,microturbulent velocity or rotational period. There appears to exist acorrelation between the magnesium abundance and the surface magneticfield, with the stars poorest in magnesium presenting the strongestmagnetic fields. In accord with the theory of magnetically controlleddiffusion - which predicts a non-homogeneous distribution of magnesiumover the stellar surface and stratification in the photosphere - somepeculiar stars show evidence of spectral variability with the rotationalphase; the respective magnesium abundances of the HgMn stars HD49606 andHD78316 depend on optical depth.

The ROSAT all-sky survey catalogue of optically bright OB-type stars.
For the detailed statistical analysis of the X-ray emission of hot starswe selected all stars of spectral type O and B listed in the Yale BrightStar Catalogue and searched for them in the ROSAT All-Sky Survey. Inthis paper we describe the selection and preparation of the data andpresent a compilation of the derived X-ray data for a complete sample ofbright OB stars.

Vitesses radiales. Catalogue WEB: Wilson Evans Batten. Subtittle: Radial velocities: The Wilson-Evans-Batten catalogue.
We give a common version of the two catalogues of Mean Radial Velocitiesby Wilson (1963) and Evans (1978) to which we have added the catalogueof spectroscopic binary systems (Batten et al. 1989). For each star,when possible, we give: 1) an acronym to enter SIMBAD (Set ofIdentifications Measurements and Bibliography for Astronomical Data) ofthe CDS (Centre de Donnees Astronomiques de Strasbourg). 2) the numberHIC of the HIPPARCOS catalogue (Turon 1992). 3) the CCDM number(Catalogue des Composantes des etoiles Doubles et Multiples) byDommanget & Nys (1994). For the cluster stars, a precise study hasbeen done, on the identificator numbers. Numerous remarks point out theproblems we have had to deal with.

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Observation and Astrometry data

Constellation:Eridanus
Right ascension:03h53m42.60s
Declination:-24°36'45.0"
Apparent magnitude:4.65
Distance:118.203 parsecs
Proper motion RA:32.2
Proper motion Dec:-5.1
B-T magnitude:4.466
V-T magnitude:4.603

Catalogs and designations:
Proper Names   (Edit)
Bayerτθ Eri
Flamsteed33 Eri
HD 1989HD 24587
TYCHO-2 2000TYC 6448-1372-1
USNO-A2.0USNO-A2 0600-01545743
BSC 1991HR 1213
HIPHIP 18216

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