The Planets for 1955 24 Eclipses, 1955 ------29 the Sky and Astronomical Phenomena Month by Month - - 30 Phenomena of Jupiter’S S a Te Llite S

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Planets for 1955 24 Eclipses, 1955 ------29 the Sky and Astronomical Phenomena Month by Month - - 30 Phenomena of Jupiter’S S a Te Llite S THE OBSERVER’S HANDBOOK FOR 1955 PUBLISHED BY The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada C. A. C H A N T, E d ito r RUTH J. NORTHCOTT, A s s is t a n t E d ito r DAVID DUNLAP OBSERVATORY FORTY-SEVENTH YEAR OF PUBLICATION P r i c e 50 C e n t s TORONTO 13 Ross S t r e e t Printed for th e Society By the University of Toronto Press THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA The Society was incorporated in 1890 as The Astronomical and Physical Society of Toronto, assuming its present name in 1903. For many years the Toronto organization existed alone, but now the Society is national in extent, having active Centres in Montreal and Quebec, P.Q.; Ottawa, Toronto, Hamilton, London, and Windsor, Ontario; Winnipeg, Man.; Saskatoon, Sask.; Edmonton, Alta.; Vancouver and Victoria, B.C. As well as nearly 1000 members of these Canadian Centres, there are nearly 400 members not attached to any Centre, mostly resident in other nations, while some 200 additional institutions or persons are on the regular mailing list of our publications. The Society publishes a bi-monthly J o u r n a l and a yearly O b s e r v e r ’s H a n d b o o k . Single copies of the J o u r n a l are 50 cents, and of the H a n d b o o k , 50 cents. Membership is open to anyone interested in astronomy. Annual dues, $3.00; life membership, $40.00. Publications are sent free to all members or may be subscribed for separately. Applications for membership or publications may be made to the National Secretary, 13 Ross St., Toronto 2B. CALENDAR 1955 Jan. Feb. Mar. April S MTW TFS s MTW TFS SM T WTFSSM T W TFS 1 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 2 3 .. 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 .4 5 6 7 8 9 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 30 31 May June July Aug. s M TWTFS s MTWTFS s MT W T F SS M TW T FS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 234 12 123456 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 . 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 31 31 Sept. O c t Nov. Dec. SM TW TFS s MT W TFS SMTWTFS s MTWT FS 1 2 3 1 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 . 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 3 4 5 6 *7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4 . 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 30 31 BUILD YOUR OWN TELESCOPE! Kits for Building your own Telescope. Accessories—Rack & Pinions, Eyepieces, Prisms, Prism Holders, Cells, Lenses, and Tubing. Finished Parabolic and Spherical Mirrors also Mirrors Ground to order. Complete Aluminizing Facilities. FREE CATALOG — INSTRUCTIONS 10 CENTS GARTH OPTICAL CO. G.P.O. BOX 954, NEW YORK 1, N.Y. THE OBSERVER’S HANDBOOK FOR 1955 PUBLISHED BY The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada C. A. CHANT, E ditor RUTH J. NORTHCOTT, A s s is t a n t E ditor DAVID DUNLAP OBSERVATORY FORTY-SEVENTH YEAR OF PUBLICATION P rice 50 C e n t s TORONTO 13 Ross S t r e e t Printed for the Society By the University of Toronto Press CONTENTS PAGE C a l e n d a r ...................................................................................Cover p. ii Preface 3 Anniversaries and F e s t iv a ls ......................................................................3 Symbols and A bbreviations......................................................................4 The Constellations......................................................................................... 5 Miscellaneous Astronomical D a t a ............................................................6 Ephemeris of the Su n ............................................................................... 7 Solar and Sidereal Time ------- - 8 Julian Day C a l e n d a r ............................................................................... 9 Map of Standard Time Z o n e s......................................................................9 Times of Sunrise and S u n s e t ....................................................................10 Times of Beginning and Ending of Twilight 17 Times of Moonrise and M o o n s e t .......................................................... 18 The Planets for 1955 24 Eclipses, 1955 --------- 29 The Sky and Astronomical Phenomena Month by Month - - 30 Phenomena of Jupiter’s S a te llite s ..........................................................54 Lunar Occultations, 1955 56 Ephemeris for the Physical Observation of the Sun 57 Principal Elements of the Solar S y s t e m ................................................ 58 Satellites of the Solar S y stem ....................................................................59 Fields for Bright Variable S t a r s ..........................................................60 Representative Bright Variable Stars - - - - - 61 Double and Multiple Stars, with a short list 62 The Brightest Stars, their magnitudes, types, proper motions, distances and radial velocities..........................................................64 Clusters and Nebulae: Star C lu sters....................................................................................... 72 Galactic N e b u la e ............................................................................. 73 Extra-Galactic N e b u la e ....................................................................74 Four Circular Star M a p s ....................................................................75 TABLES IN RECENT OBSERVER’S HANDBOOKS Distance of the Stars—the Sun’s Neighbours - 1941 Messier’s List of Clusters and N e b u la e ............................................ 1942 Meteorological Data: European and Asiatic - 1942 Canada and United States - 1946 List of Air Navigation S t a r s ................................................................1947 Table of Precession for 50 Y e a r s ......................................................1951 PRINTED IN CANADA PREFACE The H a n d b o o k for 1955 is the 47th issue and its circulation is 5500. The Officers of the Society appreciate the increase in advertisements which will help to meet our mounting expense. In this issue the tables of the principal elements of the solar system have been revised. Four circular star maps 9 inches in diameter at a price of two cents each and a set of four maps plotted on equatorial co-ordinates at a price of twenty cents are obtainable from the Director of University Extension, University of Toronto. Toronto 5. Celestial distances given herein are based on the standard value of 8".80 for the sun’s parallax, not on the more recent value 8".790 determined by Sir Harold Jones; and the calculations for Algol are based on Olin J. Eggen’s epoch 2432520.6303 and period 2.86731525 d., as published in the Astrophysical Journal, 1948. Cordial thanks are tendered to those who assisted in preparing this volume, especially to the staff of the David Dunlap Observatory, and also Miss Olga Mracek, John Crawford, Basil Kerr, Malcolm Lennox, Donald Morton and Ghislain Roy. Our deep indebtedness to the British Nautical Almanac and the American Ephemeris is thankfully acknowledged. C . A . C h a n t David Dunlap Observatory, Richmond Hill, Ont., October 1954. ANNIVERSARIES AND FESTIVALS, 1955 New Y ear’s Day Sat. Jan. 1 Trinity Sunday............................ June 5 E piphany ........................Thu. Jan. 6 Corpus Christi................Thu. June 9 Accession of Queen St. John Baptist (Mid­ Elizabeth (1952). .Sun. Feb. 6 summer Day) Fri. June 24 Septuagesima Sunday Feb. 6 Dominion Day ...............Fri. July 1 Quinquagesima (Shrove Birthday of Queen Mother Sunday) Feb. 20 Elizabeth (1900).... Thu. Aug. 4 Ash Wednesday Feb. 23 Labour D a y .....................Mon. Sept. 5 St. D av id ........................Tue. Mar. 1 Hebrew New Year St. Patrick ......................Thu. Mar. 17 (Rosh Hashanah) ... Sat. Sept. 17 Palm Sunday Apr. 3 St. Michael Good Friday .................. Fri. Apr. 8 (Michaelmas Day) . .Thu. Sept. 29 Easter Sunday Apr. 10 All Saints’ Day ...............Tue. Nov. 1 Birthday of Queen Remembrance Day. .. .Fri. Nov. 11 Elizabeth (1926). .Thu. Apr. 21 First Sunday in Advent.............Nov. 27 St. George.......................Sat. Apr. 23 St. A ndrew ...................... Wed. Nov. 30 Rogation Sunday May 15 Christmas Day ...Sun. Dec. 25 Ascension Day .............. Thu. May 19 Empire Day (Victoria D a y )............................ Tue. May 24 Thanksgiving Day, date Pentecost (Whit Sunday) May 29 set by Proclamation SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC SUN, MOON AND PLANETS ASPECTS AND ABBREVIATIONS & Conjunction, or having the same Longitude or Right Ascension <P Opposition, or differing 180° in Longitude or Right Ascension □ Quadrature, or differing 90° in Longitude or Right Ascension 9> Ascending Node; U Descending Node. α or A. R ., Right Ascension; δ Declination, h, m, s. Hours, Minutes, Seconds of Time. ° ' Degrees, Minutes, Seconds of Arc.
Recommended publications
  • The Denver Observer December 2017
    The Denver DECEMBER 2017 OBSERVER Messier 76, the Little Dumbbell Nebula, one of the deep-sky objects featured in this month’s “Skies.” Image © Joe Gafford. DECEMBER SKIES by Zachary Singer The Solar System of view in your ’scope will include the Moon’s Sky Calendar 3 Full Moon December will be a decent month for eastern section and the star, with plenty of 10 Last-Quarter Moon planetary events; though some planets are room. 17 New Moon slipping from view, others will take their I recommend you observe early—it 26 First-Quarter Moon place. We also have an occultation of Alde- should be a beautiful view, with the star a baran; as seen from Denver, the Moon will bright spark near the Moon’s edge, and over pass in front of the star at approximately the following minutes (they’ll go fast, just like In the Observer 4:06 PM, on the 30th. At that point, with the recent solar eclipse did), you can see the Moon move in its orbit around us, using the sunset still more than half an hour away, the President’s Message . .2 star won’t be visible to the naked eye, but it star for a benchmark. (Before 4:00 PM, look Society Directory. 2 should be in a telescope if you know where for Aldebaran outside the square, but along to look: Imagine a square drawn just large the diagonal from the Moon’s center to that Schedule of Events . 2 enough to touch the edges of the Moon, and lower-left edge.) About Denver Astronomical Society .
    [Show full text]
  • Unknown Amorphous Carbon II. LRS SPECTRA the Sample Consists Of
    Table I A summary of the spectral -features observed in the LRS spectra of the three groups o-f carbon stars. The de-finition o-f the groups is given in the text. wavelength Xmax identification Group I B - 12 urn E1 9.7 M™ Silicate 12 - 23 jim E IB ^m Silicate Group II < 8.5 M"i A C2H2 CS? 12 - 16 f-i/n A 13.7 - 14 Mm C2H2 HCN? 8 - 10 Mm E 8.6 M"i Unknown 10 - 13 Mm E 11.3 - 11 .7 M«> SiC Group III 10 - 13 MJn E 11.3 - 11 .7 tun SiC B - 23 Htn C Amorphous carbon 1 The letter in this column indicates the nature o-f the -feature: A = absorption; E = emission; C indicates the presence of continuum opacity. II. LRS SPECTRA The sample consists of 304 carbon stars with entries in the LRS catalog (Papers I-III). The LRS spectra have been divided into three groups. Group I consists of nine stars with 9.7 and 18 tun silicate features in their LRS spectra pointing to oxygen-rich dust in the circumstellar shell. These sources are discussed in Paper I. The remaining stars all have spectra with carbon-rich dust features. Using NIR photometry we have shown that in the group II spectra the stellar photosphere is the dominant continuum. The NIR color temperature is of the order of 25OO K. Paper II contains a discussion of sources with this class of spectra. The continuum in the group III spectra is probably due to amorphous carbon dust.
    [Show full text]
  • Binocular Universe: You're My Hero! December 2010
    Binocular Universe: You're My Hero! December 2010 Phil Harrington on't you just love a happy ending? I know I do. Picture this. Princess Andromeda, a helpless damsel in distress, chained to a rock as a ferocious D sea monster loomed nearby. Just when all appeared lost, our hero -- Perseus! -- plunges out of the sky, kills the monster, and sweeps up our maiden in his arms. Together, they fly off into the sunset on his winged horse to live happily ever after. Such is the stuff of myths and legends. That story, the legend of Perseus and Andromeda, was recounted in last month's column when we visited some binocular targets within the constellation Cassiopeia. In mythology, Queen Cassiopeia was Andromeda's mother, and the cause for her peril in the first place. Left: Autumn star map from Star Watch by Phil Harrington Above: Finder chart for this month's Binocular Universe. Chart adapted from Touring the Universe through Binoculars Atlas (TUBA), www.philharrington.net/tuba.htm This month, we return to the scene of the rescue, to our hero, Perseus. He stands in our sky to the east of Cassiopeia and Andromeda, should the Queen's bragging get her daughter into hot water again. The constellation's brightest star, Mirfak (Alpha [α] Persei), lies about two-thirds of the way along a line that stretches from Pegasus to the bright star Capella in Auriga. Shining at magnitude +1.8, Mirfak is classified as a class F5 white supergiant. It radiates some 5,000 times the energy of our Sun and has a diameter 62 times larger.
    [Show full text]
  • Wynyard Planetarium & Observatory a Autumn Observing Notes
    Wynyard Planetarium & Observatory A Autumn Observing Notes Wynyard Planetarium & Observatory PUBLIC OBSERVING – Autumn Tour of the Sky with the Naked Eye CASSIOPEIA Look for the ‘W’ 4 shape 3 Polaris URSA MINOR Notice how the constellations swing around Polaris during the night Pherkad Kochab Is Kochab orange compared 2 to Polaris? Pointers Is Dubhe Dubhe yellowish compared to Merak? 1 Merak THE PLOUGH Figure 1: Sketch of the northern sky in autumn. © Rob Peeling, CaDAS, 2007 version 1.2 Wynyard Planetarium & Observatory PUBLIC OBSERVING – Autumn North 1. On leaving the planetarium, turn around and look northwards over the roof of the building. Close to the horizon is a group of stars like the outline of a saucepan with the handle stretching to your left. This is the Plough (also called the Big Dipper) and is part of the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear. The two right-hand stars are called the Pointers. Can you tell that the higher of the two, Dubhe is slightly yellowish compared to the lower, Merak? Check with binoculars. Not all stars are white. The colour shows that Dubhe is cooler than Merak in the same way that red-hot is cooler than white- hot. 2. Use the Pointers to guide you upwards to the next bright star. This is Polaris, the Pole (or North) Star. Note that it is not the brightest star in the sky, a common misconception. Below and to the left are two prominent but fainter stars. These are Kochab and Pherkad, the Guardians of the Pole. Look carefully and you will notice that Kochab is slightly orange when compared to Polaris.
    [Show full text]
  • Interferometric Observations of the Hierarchical Triple System Algol
    The Astrophysical Journal, 705:436–445, 2009 November 1 doi:10.1088/0004-637X/705/1/436 C 2009. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. INTERFEROMETRIC OBSERVATIONS OF THE HIERARCHICAL TRIPLE SYSTEM ALGOL Sz. Csizmadia1,2,9, T. Borkovits3, Zs. Paragi2,4,P.Abrah´ am´ 5, L. Szabados5, L. Mosoni6,9, L. Sturmann7, J. Sturmann7, C. Farrington7, H. A. McAlister7, T. A. ten Brummelaar7, N. H. Turner7, and P. Klagyivik8 1 Institute of Planetary Research, DLR Rutherfordstr. 2 D-12489 Berlin, Germany 2 MTA Research Group for Physical Geodesy and Geodynamics, H-1585 Budapest, P.O. Box 585, Hungary; [email protected] 3 Baja Astronomical Observatory, H-6500 Baja, Szegedi ut,´ Kt. 766, Hungary 4 Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe, Postbus 2, 7990 AA Dwingeloo, Netherlands 5 Konkoly Observatory, H-1525 Budapest, P.O. Box 67, Hungary 6 Max-Planck-Institut fur¨ Astronomy, Konigstuhl¨ 17, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany 7 Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 3969, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA 8 Department of Astronomy, Roland Eotv¨ os¨ University, H-1517 Budapest, P.O. Box 32, Hungary Received 2009 March 16; accepted 2009 September 11; published 2009 October 12 ABSTRACT Algol is a triple stellar system consisting of a close semidetached binary orbited by a third object. Due to the disputed spatial orientation of the close pair, the third body perturbation of this pair is a subject of much research. In this study, we determine the spatial orientation of the close pair orbital plane using the CHARA Array, a six-element optical/IR interferometer located on Mount Wilson, and state-of-the-art e-EVN interferometric techniques.
    [Show full text]
  • A Basic Requirement for Studying the Heavens Is Determining Where In
    Abasic requirement for studying the heavens is determining where in the sky things are. To specify sky positions, astronomers have developed several coordinate systems. Each uses a coordinate grid projected on to the celestial sphere, in analogy to the geographic coordinate system used on the surface of the Earth. The coordinate systems differ only in their choice of the fundamental plane, which divides the sky into two equal hemispheres along a great circle (the fundamental plane of the geographic system is the Earth's equator) . Each coordinate system is named for its choice of fundamental plane. The equatorial coordinate system is probably the most widely used celestial coordinate system. It is also the one most closely related to the geographic coordinate system, because they use the same fun­ damental plane and the same poles. The projection of the Earth's equator onto the celestial sphere is called the celestial equator. Similarly, projecting the geographic poles on to the celest ial sphere defines the north and south celestial poles. However, there is an important difference between the equatorial and geographic coordinate systems: the geographic system is fixed to the Earth; it rotates as the Earth does . The equatorial system is fixed to the stars, so it appears to rotate across the sky with the stars, but of course it's really the Earth rotating under the fixed sky. The latitudinal (latitude-like) angle of the equatorial system is called declination (Dec for short) . It measures the angle of an object above or below the celestial equator. The longitud inal angle is called the right ascension (RA for short).
    [Show full text]
  • Proper Motion Surveys of the Young Open Clusters Alpha Persei and the Pleiades
    A&A 416, 125–136 (2004) Astronomy DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20034238 & c ESO 2004 Astrophysics Proper motion surveys of the young open clusters Alpha Persei and the Pleiades N. R. Deacon and N. C. Hambly Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh EH9 3HJ, UK Received 28 August 2003 / Accepted 28 October 2003 Abstract. In this paper we present surveys of two open clusters using photometry and accurate astrometry from the SuperCOSMOS microdensitometer. These use plates taken by the Palomar Oschin Schmidt Telescope giving a wide field (5◦ from the cluster centre in both cases), accurate positions and a long time baseline for the proper motions. Distribution functions are fitted to proper motion vector point diagrams yielding formal membership probabilities. Luminosity and mass functions are then produced along with a catalogue of high probability members. Background star contamination limited the depth of the study of Alpha Per to R = 18. Due to this the mass function found for this cluster could only be fitted with a power ξ = −α α = . +0.14 law ( (m) m ) with 0 86−0.19. However with the better seperation of the Pleiades’ cluster proper motion from the field population results were obtained down to R = 21. As the mass function produced for this cluster extends to lower masses it is possible to see the gradient becoming increasingly shallow. This mass function is well fitted by a log normal distribution. Key words. astrometry – stars: low mass, brown dwarfs – Galaxy: open clusters and associations: individual: Alpha Per, Pleiades 1. Introduction Most recently Barrado y Navascu´es et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Keck Spectra of Brown Dwarf Candidates and a Precise
    TABLE 1 Summary of Optical Imaging for Alpha Persei Telescope Area Covered Limiting Magnitude (sq.degrees) (R/I) CWRU Schmidt 3.2 21.5/20.5 MHO 1.2m 1.1 22.0/20.7 KPNO 0.9m 0.5 21.5/20.5 KPNO 4.0m 1.3 22.4/21.0 KPNO 4.0m a (2.5) ≈ 24/≈ 23 aBouvier et al. (1999) TABLE 2 Photometry of Alpha Persei Stars Star α(J2000) δ(J2000) Ic R − Ic K Ic − K AP300 3 17 27.6 49 36 53.0 17.85 2.18 14.62 3.23 AP301 3 18 09.2 49 25 19.0 17.75 2.22 14.14 3.61 AP302 3 19 08.4 48 43 48.5 17.63 2.08 ······ AP303 3 19 10.9 48 42 20.0 16.98 1.88 ······ AP304 3 19 13.2 48 31 55.0 18.83 2.40 ······ AP305 3 19 21.7 49 23 32.0 18.48 2.34 ······ AP306 3 19 41.8 50 30 42.0 18.40 2.34 14.9 3.5 AP307 3 20 20.9 48 01 05.0 17.08 2.01 ······ AP308 3 20 59.7 48 18 37.0 16.71 1.89 ······ AP309 3 22 40.6 48 00 36.0 16.57 1.88 ······ AP275 a 3 23 03.3 48 53 07.0 17.25 2.20 ······ AP310 3 23 04.7 48 16 13.0 17.80 2.33 14.55 3.25 AP311 3 23 08.4 48 04 52.5 17.70 2.12 14.30 3.40 AP312 3 23 14.8 48 11 56.0 18.60 2.41 15.21 3.39 AP313 3 24 08.1 48 48 30.0 17.55 2.13 ······ AP314 3 25 19.6 49 17 58.0 18.20 2.26 15.15 3.05 AP315 3 26 34.5 49 07 46.0 18.20 2.34 14.80 3.40 arXiv:astro-ph/9909207v2 15 Sep 1999 AP316 3 27 01.3 49 14 40.0 17.75 2.18 14.48 3.27 AP317 3 28 06.0 48 45 13.5 17.85 2.29 15.0 2.85 AP318 3 30 42.5 48 21 27.0 17.45 2.16 14.10 3.35 AP319 3 31 03.2 49 02 58.0 16.89 1.95 ······ AP320 3 31 25.3 49 02 52.0 16.79 1.90 ······ AP321 3 32 18.7 49 32 18.0 17.75 2.20 ······ AP322 3 33 08.3 49 37 56.5 17.60 2.14 14.57 3.03 AP323 3 33 20.7 48 45 51.0 17.50 2.13 14.33 3.17 AP324 3 33 48.2 48 52 30.5 18.10 2.36 14.68 3.42 AP325 3 35 47.2 49 17 43.0 17.65 2.30 14.14 3.51 AP326 3 38 55.2 48 57 31.0 18.70 2.40 15.09 3.61 aAP275 is from Prosser (1994).
    [Show full text]
  • A Review of the Disc Instability Model for Dwarf Novae, Soft X-Ray Transients and Related Objects a J.M
    A review of the disc instability model for dwarf novae, soft X-ray transients and related objects a J.M. Hameury aObservatoire Astronomique de Strasbourg ARTICLEINFO ABSTRACT Keywords: I review the basics of the disc instability model (DIM) for dwarf novae and soft-X-ray transients Cataclysmic variable and its most recent developments, as well as the current limitations of the model, focusing on the Accretion discs dwarf nova case. Although the DIM uses the Shakura-Sunyaev prescription for angular momentum X-ray binaries transport, which we know now to be at best inaccurate, it is surprisingly efficient in reproducing the outbursts of dwarf novae and soft X-ray transients, provided that some ingredients, such as irradiation of the accretion disc and of the donor star, mass transfer variations, truncation of the inner disc, etc., are added to the basic model. As recently realized, taking into account the existence of winds and outflows and of the torque they exert on the accretion disc may significantly impact the model. I also discuss the origin of the superoutbursts that are probably due to a combination of variations of the mass transfer rate and of a tidal instability. I finally mention a number of unsolved problems and caveats, among which the most embarrassing one is the modelling of the low state. Despite significant progresses in the past few years both on our understanding of angular momentum transport, the DIM is still needed for understanding transient systems. 1. Introduction tems using Doppler tomography techniques (Steeghs et al. 1997; Marsh and Horne 1988; see also Marsh and Schwope Dwarf novae (DNe) are cataclysmic variables (CV) that 2016 for a recent review).
    [Show full text]
  • The Ages of Early-Type Stars: Str\" Omgren Photometric Methods
    Draft version September 10, 2018 Preprint typeset using LATEX style emulateapj v. 5/2/11 THE AGES OF EARLY-TYPE STARS: STROMGREN¨ PHOTOMETRIC METHODS CALIBRATED, VALIDATED, TESTED, AND APPLIED TO HOSTS AND PROSPECTIVE HOSTS OF DIRECTLY IMAGED EXOPLANETS Trevor J. David1,2 and Lynne A. Hillenbrand1 1Department of Astronomy; MC 249-17; California Institute of Technology; Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; tjd,[email protected] Draft version September 10, 2018 ABSTRACT Age determination is undertaken for nearby early-type (BAF) stars, which constitute attractive targets for high-contrast debris disk and planet imaging surveys. Our analysis sequence consists of: acquisition of uvbyβ photometry from catalogs, correction for the effects of extinction, interpolation of the photometry onto model atmosphere grids from which atmospheric parameters are determined, and finally, comparison to the theoretical isochrones from pre-main sequence through post-main sequence stellar evolution models, accounting for the effects of stellar rotation. We calibrate and validate our methods at the atmospheric parameter stage by comparing our results to fundamentally determined Teff and log g values. We validate and test our methods at the evolutionary model stage by comparing our results on ages to the accepted ages of several benchmark open clusters (IC 2602, α Persei, Pleiades, Hyades). Finally, we apply our methods to estimate stellar ages for 3493 field stars, including several with directly imaged exoplanet candidates. Subject headings: stars: early-type |evolution |fundamental parameters |Hertzsprung-Russell and C-M diagrams |planetary systems |astronomical databases: catalogs 1. INTRODUCTION planet formation efficiency to stellar mass. The claim is In contrast to other fundamental stellar parameters that while 14% of A stars have one or more > 1MJupiter companions∼ at <5 AU, only 2% of M stars do (Johnson such as mass, radius, and angular momentum { that for ∼ certain well-studied stars and stellar systems can be an- et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Present Status and Future Directions of the EVN
    http://www.evlbi.org/ Present status and future directions of the EVN Michael Lindqvist, Onsala Space Observatory Zsolt Paragi, JIVE Onsala Space Observatory http://www.evlbi.org/ Thanks Tasso! Onsala Space Observatory http://www.evlbi.org/ VLBI science • Radio jet & black hole physics • Radio source evolution • Astrometry • Galactic and extra-galactic masers • Gravitational lenses • Supernovae and gamma-ray-burst studies • Nearby and distant starburst galaxies • Nature of faint radio source population • HI absorption studies in AGN • Space science VLBI • Transients • SETI Onsala Space Observatory http://www.evlbi.org/ Description of the EVN • The European VLBI Network (EVN) was formed in 1980. Today it includes 15 major institutes, including the Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC, JIVE • JIVE operates EVN correlator. JIVE is also involved in supporting EVN users and operations of EVN as a facility. JIVE has officially been established as an European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC). • The EVN operates an “open sky” policy • No standing centralised budget for the EVN - distributed European facility Onsala Space Observatory http://www.evlbi.org/ The network Onsala Space Observatory http://www.evlbi.org/ EVN and e-VLBI From tape reel to intercontinental light paths • Pieces falling into place around 2003: – Introduction of Mark5 recording system (game changer) by Haystack Observatory – Emergence of high bandwidth optical fibre networks e-VLBI JIVE Hot scienceJIVE • The development of e-VLBI has been spearheaded by the JIVE/EVN (EXPReS, Garrett) • In this way, the EVN/JIVE is a recognized SKA pathfinder Onsala Space Observatory http://www.evlbi.org/ e-VLBI - rapid turn-around • e-VLBI has made rapid turn-around possible – X-ray, γ-ray binaries in flaring states (including novae) – AGN γ-ray outbursts — locus of VHE emission – Other high-energy flaring (e.g., Crab) – Outbursts in Mira variables (spectral-line) – Just-exploded GRBs, SNe – Binaries (incl.
    [Show full text]
  • December 2019 BRAS Newsletter
    A Monthly Meeting December 11th at 7PM at HRPO (Monthly meetings are on 2nd Mondays, Highland Road Park Observatory). Annual Christmas Potluck, and election of officers. What's In This Issue? President’s Message Secretary's Summary Outreach Report Asteroid and Comet News Light Pollution Committee Report Globe at Night Member’s Corner – The Green Odyssey Messages from the HRPO Friday Night Lecture Series Science Academy Solar Viewing Stem Expansion Transit of Murcury Edge of Night Natural Sky Conference Observing Notes: Perseus – Rescuer Of Andromeda, or the Hero & Mythology Like this newsletter? See PAST ISSUES online back to 2009 Visit us on Facebook – Baton Rouge Astronomical Society Baton Rouge Astronomical Society Newsletter, Night Visions Page 2 of 25 December 2019 President’s Message I would like to thank everyone for having me as your president for the last two years . I hope you have enjoyed the past two year as much as I did. We had our first Members Only Observing Night (MOON) at HRPO on Sunday, 29 November,. New officers nominated for next year: Scott Cadwallader for President, Coy Wagoner for Vice- President, Thomas Halligan for Secretary, and Trey Anding for Treasurer. Of course, the nominations are still open. If you wish to be an officer or know of a fellow member who would make a good officer contact John Nagle, Merrill Hess, or Craig Brenden. We will hold our annual Baton Rouge “Gastronomical” Society Christmas holiday feast potluck and officer elections on Monday, December 9th at 7PM at HRPO. I look forward to seeing you all there. ALCon 2022 Bid Preparation and Planning Committee: We’ll meet again on December 14 at 3:00.pm at Coffee Call, 3132 College Dr F, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, UPCOMING BRAS MEETINGS: Light Pollution Committee - HRPO, Wednesday December 4th, 6:15 P.M.
    [Show full text]