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Astrophysics in 2005
We bring you, as usual, the Sun and Moon and stars, plus some galaxiesand a new section on astrobiology. Some highlights are short (the newlyidentified class of gamma-ray bursts, and the Deep Impact on Comet9P/Tempel 1), some long (the age of the universe, which will be found tohave the Earth at its center), and a few metonymic, for instance theterm ``down-sizing'' to describe the evolution of star formation rateswith redshift.
| The Effective Temperature Scale of Galactic Red Supergiants: Cool, but Not As Cool As We Thought
We use moderate-resolution optical spectrophotometry and the new MARCSstellar atmosphere models to determine the effective temperatures of 74Galactic red supergiants (RSGs). The stars are mostly members of OBassociations or clusters with known distances, allowing a criticalcomparison with modern stellar evolutionary tracks. We find we canachieve excellent matches between the observations and the reddenedmodel fluxes and molecular transitions, although the atomic lines Ca Iλ4226 and Ca II H and K are found to be unrealistically strong inthe models. Our new effective temperature scale is significantly warmerthan those in the literature, with the differences amounting to 400 Kfor the latest type M supergiants (i.e., M5 I). We show that the newlyderived temperatures and bolometric corrections give much betteragreement with stellar evolutionary tracks. This agreement provides acompletely independent verification of our new temperature scale. Thecombination of effective temperature and bolometric luminosities allowsus to calculate stellar radii; the coolest and most luminous stars (KWSgr, Case 75, KY Cyg, HD 206936=μ Cep) have radii of roughly 1500Rsolar (7 AU), in excellent accordance with the largeststellar radii predicted from current evolutionary theory, althoughsmaller than that found by others for the binary VV Cep and for thepeculiar star VY CMa. We find that similar results are obtained for theeffective temperatures and bolometric luminosities using only thedereddened V-K colors, providing a powerful demonstration of theself-consistency of the MARCS models.
| An empirical formula for the mass-loss rates of dust-enshrouded red supergiants and oxygen-rich Asymptotic Giant Branch stars
We present an empirical determination of the mass-loss rate as afunction of stellar luminosity and effective temperature, foroxygen-rich dust-enshrouded Asymptotic Giant Branch stars and redsupergiants. To this aim we obtained optical spectra of a sample ofdust-enshrouded red giants in the Large Magellanic Cloud, which wecomplemented with spectroscopic and infrared photometric data from theliterature. Two of these turned out to be hot emission-line stars, ofwhich one is a definite B[e] star. The mass-loss rates were measuredthrough modelling of the spectral energy distributions. We thus obtainthe mass-loss rate formula log dot{M} = -5.65 + 1.05 log ( L / 10 000{L}_ȯ ) -6.3 log ( T_eff / 3500 K ), valid for dust-enshrouded redsupergiants and oxygen-rich AGB stars. Despite the low metallicity ofthe LMC, both AGB stars and red supergiants are found at late spectraltypes. A comparison with galactic AGB stars and red supergiants showsexcellent agreement between the mass-loss rate as predicted by ourformula and that derived from the 60 μm flux density fordust-enshrouded objects, but not for optically bright objects. Wediscuss the possible implications of this for the mass-loss mechanism.
| Classification of Spectra from the Infrared Space Observatory PHT-S Database
We have classified over 1500 infrared spectra obtained with the PHT-Sspectrometer aboard the Infrared Space Observatory according to thesystem developed for the Short Wavelength Spectrometer (SWS) spectra byKraemer et al. The majority of these spectra contribute to subclassesthat are either underrepresented in the SWS spectral database or containsources that are too faint, such as M dwarfs, to have been observed byeither the SWS or the Infrared Astronomical Satellite Low ResolutionSpectrometer. There is strong overall agreement about the chemistry ofobjects observed with both instruments. Discrepancies can usually betraced to the different wavelength ranges and sensitivities of theinstruments. Finally, a large subset of the observations (~=250 spectra)exhibit a featureless, red continuum that is consistent with emissionfrom zodiacal dust and suggest directions for further analysis of thisserendipitous measurement of the zodiacal background.Based on observations with the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO), aEuropean Space Agency (ESA) project with instruments funded by ESAMember States (especially the Principle Investigator countries: France,Germany, Netherlands, and United Kingdom) and with the participation ofthe Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) and the NationalAeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
| Really Cool Stars and the Star Formation History at the Galactic Center
We present λ/Δλ=550-1200 near-infrared H and Kspectra for a magnitude-limited sample of 79 asymptotic giant branch andcool supergiant stars in the central ~5 pc (diameter) of the Galaxy. Weuse a set of similar spectra obtained for solar neighborhood stars withknown Teff and Mbol that is in the same range asthe Galactic center (GC) sample to derive Teff andMbol for the GC sample. We then construct the H-R diagram forthe GC sample. Using an automated maximum likelihood routine, we derivea coarse star formation history of the GC. We find that (1) roughly 75%of the stars formed in the central few parsecs are older than 5 Gyr; (2)the star formation rate (SFR) is variable over time, with a roughly 4times higher SFR in the last 100 Myr compared to the average SFR; (3)our model can match dynamical limits on the total mass of stars formedonly by limiting the initial mass function to masses above 0.7Msolar (this could be a signature of mass segregation or ofthe bias toward massive star formation from the unique star formationconditions in the GC); (4) blue supergiants account for 12% of the totalsample observed, and the ratio of red to blue supergiants is roughly1.5; and (5) models with isochrones with [Fe/H]=0.0 over all ages fitthe stars in our H-R diagram better than models with lower [Fe/H] in theoldest age bins, consistent with the finding of Ramírez et al.that stars with ages between 10 Myr and 1 Gyr have solar [Fe/H].
| Hipparcos red stars in the HpV_T2 and V I_C systems
For Hipparcos M, S, and C spectral type stars, we provide calibratedinstantaneous (epoch) Cousins V - I color indices using newly derivedHpV_T2 photometry. Three new sets of ground-based Cousins V I data havebeen obtained for more than 170 carbon and red M giants. These datasetsin combination with the published sources of V I photometry served toobtain the calibration curves linking Hipparcos/Tycho Hp-V_T2 with theCousins V - I index. In total, 321 carbon stars and 4464 M- and S-typestars have new V - I indices. The standard error of the mean V - I isabout 0.1 mag or better down to Hp~9 although it deteriorates rapidly atfainter magnitudes. These V - I indices can be used to verify thepublished Hipparcos V - I color indices. Thus, we have identified ahandful of new cases where, instead of the real target, a random fieldstar has been observed. A considerable fraction of the DMSA/C and DMSA/Vsolutions for red stars appear not to be warranted. Most likely suchspurious solutions may originate from usage of a heavily biased color inthe astrometric processing.Based on observations from the Hipparcos astrometric satellite operatedby the European Space Agency (ESA 1997).}\fnmsep\thanks{Table 7 is onlyavailable 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/qcat?J/A+A/397/997
| A Catalog and Atlas of Cataclysmic Variables: The Living Edition
The Catalog and Atlas of Cataclysmic Variables (Edition 1: Downes &Shara; Edition 2: Downes, Webbink, & Shara) has been a valuablesource of information for the cataclysmic variable community. However,the goal of having a central location for all objects is slowly beinglost as each new edition is generated. There can also be a long timedelay between new information becoming available on an object and itspublication in the catalog. To eliminate these concerns, as well as tomake the catalog more accessible, we have created a Web site which willcontain a ``living'' edition of the catalog. We have also added orbitalperiod information, as well as finding charts for novae, to thecatalog.
| Dust features in the 10-mu m infrared spectra of oxygen-rich evolved stars
We have analyzed the 8-13.5 mu m UKIRT CGS3 spectra of 142 M-type starsincluding 80 oxygen-rich AGB stars and 62 red supergiants, with a viewto understanding the differences and similarities between the dustfeatures of these stars. We have classified the spectra into groupsaccording to the observed appearance of the infrared features. In eachcase the normalized continuum-subtracted spectrum has been compared tothose of the other stars to find similarities and form groups. The dustfeatures of the AGB stars are classified into six groups: broad AGB,where the feature extends from 8 mu m to about 12.5 mu m with littlestructure; broad+sil AGB, which consists of a broad feature with anemerging 9.7 mu m silicate bump; and four silicate AGB groups in which a``classic'' 9.7 mu m silicate feature gets progressively narrower.Likewise, the supergiant spectra have also been classified into groups,however these do not all coincide with the AGB star groups. In thesupergiant case we again have six groups: featureless, where there islittle or no emission above the continuum; broad Super, where thefeature extends from about 9 mu m to about 13 mu m; and four silicateSuper groups, which again show a progression towards the narrowest``classic'' 9.7 mu m silicate feature. We compare the mean spectrum foreach group, which yields two main results. Firstly, while the``classic'' silicate feature is essentially identical for both AGB starsand red supergiants, the broad features observed for these two stellartypes are quite different. We suggest that the dust in these twoenvironments follows different evolutionary paths, with the dust aroundMira stars, whose broad feature spectra can be fit by a combination ofalumina (Al2O3) and magnesium silicate,progressing from this composition to dust dominated by magnesiumsilicate only, while the dust around supergiants, whose broad featurecan be fit by a combination of Ca-Al-rich silicate andAl2O3, progresses from this initial composition toone eventually also dominated by magnesium silicate. The reason for thedifference in the respective broad features is not clear as yet, butcould be influenced by lower C/O ratios and chromospheric UV radiationfields in supergiant outflow environments. The second result concernsthe 12.5 - 13.0 mu m feature discovered in IRAS LRS spectra and widelyattributed to Al2O3. This feature is seenpredominantly in the spectra of semiregular variables, sometime in Mirasand only once (so far) in supergiant spectra. We argue that it isunlikely that this feature is due to Al2O3 or, ashas more recently been suggested, spinel(MgAl2O4), but could be associated with silicondioxide or highly polymerized silicates (not pyroxenes or olivines).
| Observational investigation of mass loss of M supergiants
We present the analysis of infrared photometry and millimeterspectroscopy of a sample of 74 late-type supergiants. These observationsare particularly suitable to study the mass loss and the circumstellarenvelopes of evolved massive stars. In particular, we quantify thecircumstellar infrared excess, the relation of mass loss with stellarproperties, using the K-[12] colour index as mass-loss indicator. We donot find any clear correlation between mass loss rate and luminosity. Wealso show that the K-band magnitude is a simple luminosity indicator,because of the relative constancy of the K-band bolometric correction.Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory, LaSilla, Chile within program ESO 54.E-0914, and on observations collectedwith the IRAM 30m telescope. Tables A1 to A3 are only available inelectronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr(130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html
| Silicate and hydrocarbon emission from Galactic M supergiants
Following our discovery of unidentified infrared (UIR) band emission ina number of M supergiants in h and chi Per, we have obtained 10-μmspectra of a sample of 60 galactic M supergiants. Only three newsources, V1749 Cyg, UW Aql and IRC+40 427, appear to show the UIR bands;the others show the expected silicate emission or a featurelesscontinuum. The occurrence of UIR-band emission in M supergiants istherefore much higher in the h and chi Per cluster than in the Galaxy asa whole. Possible explanations for the origin and distribution of UIRbands in oxygen-rich supergiants are discussed. We use our spectra toderive mass-loss rates ranging from 10^-8 to 10^-4 M_solar yr^-1 for thenew sample, based on the power emitted in the silicate feature. Therelationship between mass-loss rate and luminosity for M supergiants isdiscussed, and correlations are explored between their mid-infraredemission properties.
| The Infrared Spectral Classification of Oxygen-rich Dust Shells
This paper presents infrared spectral classifications for a flux-limitedsample of 635 optically identified oxygen-rich variables includingsupergiants and sources on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB). Severalclasses of spectra from oxygen-rich dust exist, and these can bearranged in a smoothly varying sequence of spectral shapes known as thesilicate dust sequence. Classification based on this sequence revealsseveral dependencies of the dust emission on the properties of thecentral star. Nearly all S stars show broad emission features fromalumina dust, while most of the supergiants exhibit classic featuresfrom amorphous silicate dust. Mira variables with symmetric light curvesgenerally show broad alumina emission, while those with more asymmetriclight curves show classic silicate emission. These differences may arisefrom differences in the photospheric C/O ratio.
| HIPPARCOS Astrometry of Infrared-Selected Sources and the Connection Between Optical and Infrared Reference Frames
Astrometric data from the Hipparcos satellite are reported for theoptical counterparts of 87 bright infrared sources. These sources may beuseful in defining a reference frame for infrared observations. The dataare also useful in studying the locations of circumstellar SiO masers.(SECTION: Stars)
| Classification and Identification of IRAS Sources with Low-Resolution Spectra
IRAS low-resolution spectra were extracted for 11,224 IRAS sources.These spectra were classified into astrophysical classes, based on thepresence of emission and absorption features and on the shape of thecontinuum. Counterparts of these IRAS sources in existing optical andinfrared catalogs are identified, and their optical spectral types arelisted if they are known. The correlations between thephotospheric/optical and circumstellar/infrared classification arediscussed.
| A Renewed Search for Water Maser Emission from Mira Variables.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1997AJ....114.1602L&db_key=AST
| A Catalog and Atlas of Cataclysmic Variables-Second Edition
We present a catalog of all 1020 known cataclysmic variables (CVs). Thispaper is a major update of the first edition of the catalog (Downes andShara 1993, PASP, 105, 127), which contained coordinates (measured inthe reference frame of the Hubble Space Telescope Guide Star Survey forthe non-novae, and obtained from the literature for the novae), thevariability type, the magnitude range, and references to both findingcharts and spectroscopy. Also included in the catalog were findingcharts for all dwarf novae, novalike variables, and objects classifiedonly as cataclysmic variables known as of 1993; a similar catalog andatlas for novae has been published by Duerbeck (1978a). This updatededition includes 195 new objects (172 CVs and 23 non-CVs), revisedidentifications for 57 objects, and revised information (classificationand spectral references) when available. We also now include plateidentification information for the coordinate measurements, a referenceto the classification, proper motion information where appropriate, anda table showing the CVs observed by space-based observatories. Thissecond edition is inclusive of the first edition, although only new orupdated charts are presented. (SECTION: Special Issue on CataclysmicVariable Stars)
| ROSAT Observations of Symbiotic Binaries and Related Objects
Not Available
| An Infrared Color-Magnitude Relationship
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1995AJ....110.2910H&db_key=AST
| The Henry Draper Extension Charts: A catalogue of accurate positions, proper motions, magnitudes and spectral types of 86933 stars
The Henry Draper Extension Charts (HDEC), published in the form offinding charts, provide spectral classification for some 87000 starsmostly between 10th and 11th magnitude. This data, being highlyvaluable, as yet was practically unusable for modern computer-basedastronomy. An earlier pilot project (Roeser et al. 1991) demonstrated apossibility to convert this into a star catalogue, using measurements ofcartesian coordinates of stars on the charts and positions of theAstrographic Catalogue (AC) for subsequent identification. We presenthere a final HDEC catalogue comprising accurate positions, propermotions, magnitudes and spectral classes for 86933 stars of the HenryDraper Extension Charts.
| Radio continuum emission from stars: a catalogue update.
An updated version of my catalogue of radio stars is presented. Somestatistics and availability are discussed.
| A catalog and atlas of cataclysmic variables
The General Catalogue of Variable Stars contains information necessaryfor obtaining observations of variable stars, and in particular,cataclysmic variables. However, the coordinates presented are notaccurate enough for observatories such as the Hubble Space Telescope,and the references to finding charts are often to journals not easilyaccessible to some astronomers. We have therefore created a catalog ofall cataclysmic variables (known to us as of February 1992) whichcontains coordinates (measured in the reference frame of the HubbleSpace Telescope Guide Star Survey for the nonnovae, and obtained fromthe literature for the novae), the variability type, the magnituderange, and references to both finding charts and spectroscopy. The atlascontains finding charts for the dwarf novae, novalike variables, andobjects classified only as cataclysmic variables, for which we couldobtain valid identifications; a similar catalog and atlas for novae hasbeen published by Duerbeck (1987).
| 1612 MHz OH survey of IRAS point sources. I - Observations made at Dwingeloo, Effelsberg and Parkes
The data from a large sky survey are presented including a northernpilot study and a detailed southern study in which detections are biasedtoward the most evolved sources and distant sources. Both areinvestigated at the 1612-MHz transition of OH to take advantage of thestrongest line for AGB stars with optically thick dust shells. The IRASsources are chosen by considering their IR colors related to fluxes at12, 25, and 60 microns. Observations are reported for 2703 IRAS pointsources at the 1612-MHz transition, and 738 OH/IR stars are detected.The survey identifies 597 of the sources as previously unidentified, and95 percent of the OH profiles observed have twin-peak masercharacteristics which are related to emission from expandingcircumstellar shells. The other 5 percent of the sources are concludedto be transition objects between OH/IR stars and planetary nebulae.
| M supergiants with large infrared excesses in the direction of the Galactic centre
The spatial distribution of M supergiant stars in the Galaxy isdiscussed on the basis of IR data from IRAS. Using the calibratedabsolute magnitude and assuming no interstellar extinction at 12microns, the distance moduli of the M supergiants are calculated.Nineteen of the 27 M supergiants are associated with the spiral arm.Seven M supergiants have distance moduli between 14.2 and 14.7, fromwhich it is inferred that these stars are located within 2 kpc from theGalactic center.
| Mass-losing M supergiants in the solar neighborhood
A list of the 21 mass-losing red supergiants (20 M type, one G type; Lgreater than 100,000 solar luminosities) within 2.5 kpc of the sun iscompiled. These supergiants are highly evolved descendants ofmain-sequence stars with initial masses larger than 20 solar masses. Thesurface density is between about 1 and 2/sq kpc. As found previously,these stars are much less concentrated toward the Galactic center thanW-R stars, which are also highly evolved massive stars. Although withconsiderable uncertainty, it is estimated that the mass return by the Msupergiants is somewhere between 0.00001 and 0.00003 solar mass/sq kpcyr. In the hemisphere facing the Galactic center there is much less massloss from M supergiants than from W-R stars, but, in the anticenterdirection, the M supergiants return more mass than do the W-R stars. Theduration of the M supergiant phase appears to be between 200,000 and400,000 yr. During this phase, a star of initially at least 20 solarmasses returns perhaps 3-10 solar masses into the interstellar medium.
| Statistical characteristics of the ten-micron silicate emission in M-type stars
The statistical characteristics of 10 micron silicate emission wereexamined for 1427 M-type stars in the catalog of the Two-Micron SkySurvey using the low-resolution spectra obtained by IRAS. Correlationswere examined of 10 micron silicate emission with the spectralclassification in the visual wavelength region, with near-infrared colorI - K, with a variability type, and with the period of variation. It wasfound that supergiants show silicate emission more frequently than dogiants. Silicate emission was found in stars of all three variabilitytypes: irregular, semiregular, and Mira variables. The proportion ofstars with silicate emission was found to be larger for Mira variables.Most of the Mira variables with periods of variation longer than about450 d were found to show silicate emission.
| Water maser emission from southern IRAS sources
A search for water maser emission in 112 bright, southern IRAS sourceswas conducted. Water maser emission was detected in 27 cases. Thesesources include M-type stars and previously unidentified IRAS objects.The detection rate is discussed with reference to IRAS low-resolutionspectral (LRS) class and the (60-25) micron color index. Water maseremission was detected in three sources which have LRS class 4n,indicating the presence of 11-micron SiC emission. The O/C-richness ofthe circumstellar envelopes of these sources is discussed, and it isconcluded that these sources are probably M-type stars whose LRS classis misassigned.
| Infrared circumstellar shells - Origins, and clues to the evolution of massive stars
The infrared fluxes, spatial and spectral characteristics for a sampleof 111 supergiant stars of spectral types F0 through M5 are tabulated,and correlations examined with respect to the nature of theircircumstellar envelopes. One-fourth of these objects were spatialyresolved by IRAS at 60 microns and possess extended circumstellar shellmaterial, with implied expansion ages of about 10 to the 5th yr.Inferences about the production of dust, mass loss, and the relation ofthese characteristics of the evolution of massive stars, are discussed.
| Infrared spectra and circumstellar emission of late-type stars
NIR photometry has been carried out for 63 M-type stars in eightphotometric bands. Four bands were the usual J, H, K, and L bands ofbroad-band photometry, and the other four were defined with relativelynarrow filters at 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, and 3.7 microns to measure the strengthof a stellar H2O absortion band centered at about 2.7 microns. Theeffects of circumstellar emission due to silicate dust on the energyspectra of oxygen-rich stars are extracted on the basis of the presentdata and IRAS photometric data. Peculiar carbon stars which exhibit asilicatelike emission feature at 10 microns were searched for from about1800 carbon stars. Eleven new candidate carbon stars were found.
| Circumstellar environments. III - M-supergiants
Spectra of M-supergiants in the 7-100-micron region are studied. Thecircumstellar silicate dust features at 9.7 and 18 microns are found tobe of variable width. Although most stars are shown to exhibit theclassical circumstellar silicate dust features typified by those ofAlpha Ori, some, such as VX SGr, exhibit much broader features.Mass-loss rates are given for 31 M-supergiants.
| Far-infrared circumstellar 'debris' shell of red supergiant stars
An examination of IRAS data of red supergiant stars in the field and ingalactic OB star associations indicates the presence of substantialamounts of 60-micron emitting material extending several arcminutesaround many such sources. The characteristics of these large shells arediscussed in terms of remnants of ongoing mass loss, and a simple modeldeveloped for the case of Alpha Orionis, in particular.
| Optical properties of circumstellar silicates in the visible and the near-infrared
The results of Papoular and Pegourie (1983) and Pegourie and Papoular(1985) on modeling the IR emission of a sample of O-rich giants andsupergiants are used to deduce the optical properties of circumstellarsilicates in the visible and the near-IR. It is shown that the energybalance between the total energy radiated by the shell and that which itabsorbs from the star makes it possible to stongly constrain the opticalproperties of the grain material and to determine the refraction index.Planck mean efficiencies both for emissivity and radiation pressure arecalculated for the temperature and grain radius ranges of interest forcomputations of a red giant environment.
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Observation and Astrometry data
| Constellation: | Sagittarius |
| Right ascension: | 17h52m00.73s |
| Declination: | -28°01'20.6" |
| Apparent magnitude: | 9.061 |
| Distance: | 10000000 parsecs |
| Proper motion RA: | 0.7 |
| Proper motion Dec: | -2.8 |
| B-T magnitude: | 12.375 |
| V-T magnitude: | 9.335 |
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INHABITED SKY
