Variable Star Section Circular

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Variable Star Section Circular The British Astronomical Association VARIABLE STAR SECTION DECEMBER CIRCULAR 74 1992 ISSN 0267-9272 Office: Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1V 9AG SECTION OFFICERS Director Tristram Brelstaff, 3 Malvern Court, Addington Road, Reading, Berks. RG1 5PL Tel: Reading (0734) 268981 Assistant Director S.R. Dunlop, 140 Stocks Lane, East Wittering, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 8NT Tel: Bracklesham Bay (0243) 670354 Fax: Bracklesham Bay (0243) 670400 Email: CompuServe 100015,1610 JANET: SDUNLOP @ UK.AC.SUSSEX.STARLINK INTERNET: SDUNLOP @ STARLINK.SUSSEX.AC.UK Secretary M.D. Taylor, 17 Cross Lane, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF2 8DA Tel: Wakefield (0924) 374651 Chart Secretary J. Toone, Hillside View, 17 Ashdale Road, Cressage, Shrewsbury SY5 6DT Tel: (0952)510794 Nova/Supemova G.M Hurst, 16 Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise, Basingstoke, Hants. Secretary RG22 4PP Tel. & Fax: Basingstoke (0256) 471074 Telex: 9312111261 (TA G) Email: Telecom Gold 10074:MIK2885 JANET: GMH @ UK. AC.CAM. AST-STAR INTERNET: GMH @ STARLINK.CAMBRIDGE.AC.UK Prof./Am. Liaison R.D. Pickard, 28 Appletons, Hadlow, Kent TN11 0DT Comm. Secretary Tel: Tonbridge (0732) 850663 Email: Telecom Gold 10074:MIK3229 Computer D. McAdam, 33 Wrekin View, Madeley, Telford, Shropshire TF7 5HZ Secretary Tel: Telford (0952) 432048 Email: Telecom Gold 10087:YQQ587 Telephone Alert Numbers The following numbers may be called at any time up to 23:00 UT (or BST when in operation) to report variable-star activity, or at any time during the night for possible novae and supemovae only: Guy Hurst 0256 471074 Gary Poyner 021 350 4312 Denis Buczynski 0524 68530 Graham Keitch 0934 862924 Martin Mobberley 0245 252975 weekdays - 0284 828431 weekends Notes on some suspected variables Chris Lloyd While following up the papers dealing with the Spearman Rank Correlation test, I came across a number of suspected variables and wondered what the professional literature had to say about them. In some cases it was very little but others had commanded more attention. The following notes are not exhaustive, but I hope they will help anyone who is interested in pursuing these stars. BS 551 = HD 11613 = SAO 37607 (And) A light curve and finding chart are given by Ian Middlemist ( VSSC67,26) and brief notes are also given by other observers (VSSC 61,9; 65,2). An analysis of the light curve in my paper on the statistical tests (VSSC 73,38) strongly suggests that the star is variable. However the two published photoelectric measurements are similar (V= 6.24). The star is a late type giant (Κ2ΠΙ) in a low amplitude spectroscopic binary, with a period of 838 days. The orbit is most probably circular (Griffin; Observatory 101,175 (1981)). In the light curve several fades are visible and the phasing of some of these is almost correct for eclipses but the others are clearly not. There is no obvious periodicity but all things considered this star must be a good candidate for variability and deserves to be put on someones photoelectric programme. NSV 13150 = HD 196036 = SAO 106259 = BD+19 4450 (Del) Magnitudes are given by John Isles (VSSC 67,12) and it receives a brief mention in VSSC 61,9. The literature has practically nothing to say about it. The spectral type is Μ, M7 in the NSV. If it is a main sequence dwarf then from the magnitudes it should be a very nearby star, and have a reliable parallax. It does not, nor does have a high proper motion, so in all probability it is a giant. From the application of the suite of statistical tests it is probably variable and what has been seen is consistent with a late type giant. HD 11907 = SAO 37652 (And) This star is given as a suspected variable by Tony Markham (VSSC 72,13). It seems to be a nearby F5 field dwarf, but very little else is known about it. The limited photometry does not suggest variability and no radial velocities appear to have to published. If this star is variable then it may be an eclipsing binary but intrinsic variations seem unlikely. NSV 02859 = HD 42379 = SAO 78074 (Gem) Another observed by Tony Markham. In the NSV the spectral type is given as Be but it is more generally given as B1II/B 11a. It has been observed as a suspected {greek capital beta} Cephei variable but this was not confirmed. It is variable by several hundredths and is probably an irregular luminous blue variable. One for PEP. NSV 03597 = HD 58640 = SAO 41795 (Lyn) The main claim to fame is a suggestion of micro-variability. The spectral type is M3 and it is probably a giant, so it must stand a good chance of being variable. 1 NSV 02357 = HD 37519 = SAO 58319 = BS 1938 = BD+311048 (Aur) Observed by Tony Markham (VSSC 61,9) and others (VSSC 65,2). This is an evolved early type star and a possible weak Hg-Mn star (B9.5III-IVp). The published photometry shows a range of a few hundredths but no real evidence of variability. There is some suggestion of radial velocity variations. Its main claim to fame is the flash (flare implies dMe stars) of some 1-2 magnitudes. Reports of flashes in otherwise normal stars have been collected by Schaefer(ApJ 337,927; 1989). NSV 13784 = HD 205349 = SAO 51027 = BS 8248 = BD+45 3584 (Cyg) The spectral type is given generally as K llab( var) and so is almost certainly photometrically variable. The published photometry shows a range of a few hundredths but no real evidence of variability. Marginal activity is reported visually (VSSC 61,9). The spectral type is rather late for a Cepheid but it may be one of the ill defined, irregular, low amplitude variables that inhabit this part of the HR diagram. One for PEP?. 70 UMa = HD 107465 = SAO 28346 = BS 4701 = BDt-58 1371 The spectral type is Κ5ΠΙ so it may be a low amplitude, long period variable of some description. There is no evidence of radial velocity or photometric variations and only marginal visual activity (VSSC 61,9). NSV 00021 = HD 37 = BD+49 4329 (Cas) The spectral type of G9III is perhaps a little early for a giant variable but there are no hard and fast rules. Very little else is know about the star. The NSV suggests a range of 1 magnitude. Observations are reported in VSSC 65,2. ε Peg = HD 206778 = SAO 127029= BS 8308 The spectral type of K2Ib(var), slight radial velocity variations and arange of 0. lm in the photometric measurements all suggest that this is a low amplitude irregular supergiant variable. Interestingly it shows variations of a few tens of metres per second during anight and 2 -5 km/s on longer time scales. This star is also one of Schaefer’s flashers and apparently brightened to 0.7 on one night in 1972. Little visual activity is reported (VSSC 53, 11; 61,9). Chris Lloyd Astrophysics Division Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Chilton, Didcot Oxon, OX 11 0QX 2 When is a variable visible? Tony Markham When light-curves are generated for variable stars, there are often gaps in the coverage. Gaps due to bad weather, neglect by observers or the variable being too faint are difficult to predict. Annual gaps resulting from the variable being unfavourably positioned relative to the Sun ought, however, to be predictable. Unfortunately, these annual gaps are often larger than they need be. For example, observers might be slow to recommence observations as the variable emerges from the morning twilight, and may prematurely stop observing the variable before it has been lost in the evening twilight. Observations close to the limits of the apparition obviously require good sky conditions. Observers would also benefit from knowing the earliest and latest dates on which the variable might be visible given these good sky conditions. How easily can the limiting dates of the apparition be estimated? In order to predict such dates, it is necessary to establish criteria which define the circumstances under which the variable is visible on the first and last days of its apparition, given good, but not exceptional, sky conditions. The following results are based on my observations in the period 1980-91 of variables close to the limits of their apparitions. The observations were made using 10 x 50 binoculars. Times were recorded to the nearest 5 minutes. The results have been analysed to calculate the altitudes of the variable and the Sun at the time of each observation. Cholsey, Oxon. (51°35' N, 01°09' W) Date Time (UT) Variable RA Dec Mag Class Alt. (°) h m O ‘ Var. Sun Apr. 18 20:30 C K O ri 05 30 +04 12 6.6 3 + 14 -12 22 20:55 X P er 03 55 +31 03 6.2 3 + 15 -14 20:55 BUTau 03 49 +24 08 5.5 3 +9 -14 May 15 21:25 BQ Gem 07 13 + 16 10 5.6 2 + 14 -12 21:45 BN Gem 07 37 +16 54 6.6 3 + 16 -13 JlyO l 01:30 X P er 03 55 +31 03 6.2 3 +7 -15 21 01:35 NSV 2537 Aur 05 41 +31 22 6.5 3 +7 -15 Aug.04 02:45 BU Gem 06 12 +22 54 6.9 2 + 12 -14 02:45 TV Gem 06 12 +21 52 7.0 3 + 11 -14 Edinburgh (55°56' N, 03' °12' W) May 05 21:50 TV Gem 06 12 +21 52 7.1 3 +15 -12 14 21:35 BQ G em 07 13 + 16 10 5.5 2 +16 -9 21:35 Rho Per 03 05 +38 50 3.6 3 +9 -9 Jun.21 23:40 V465 Cas 01 18 +57 48 6.9 2 +35 -10 29 23:15 V465 Cas 01 18 +57 48 6.9 2 +36 -10 3 Date Time (UT) Variable RA Dec Mag Class Alt.
Recommended publications
  • Exoplanet Community Report
    JPL Publication 09‐3 Exoplanet Community Report Edited by: P. R. Lawson, W. A. Traub and S. C. Unwin National Aeronautics and Space Administration Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology Pasadena, California March 2009 The work described in this publication was performed at a number of organizations, including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Publication was provided by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Compiling and publication support was provided by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology under a contract with NASA. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement by the United States Government, or the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology. © 2009. All rights reserved. The exoplanet community’s top priority is that a line of probe­class missions for exoplanets be established, leading to a flagship mission at the earliest opportunity. iii Contents 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................................1 1.2 EXOPLANET FORUM 2008: THE PROCESS OF CONSENSUS BEGINS.....................................................2
    [Show full text]
  • The CORALIE Survey for Southern Extrasolar Planets XVII
    Astronomy & Astrophysics manuscript no. coralieXVII c ESO 2019 July 1, 2019 The CORALIE survey for southern extrasolar planets XVII. New and updated long period and massive planets ? ?? M. Marmier1, D. Segransan´ 1, S. Udry1, M. Mayor1, F. Pepe1, D. Queloz1, C. Lovis1, D. Naef1, N.C. Santos2;3;1, R. Alonso4;5;1, S. Alves8;1, S. Berthet1, B. Chazelas1, B-O. Demory9;1, X. Dumusque1, A. Eggenberger1, P. Figueira2;1, M. Gillon6;1, J. Hagelberg1, M. Lendl1, R. A. Mardling7;1, D. Megevand´ 1, M. Neveu1, J. Sahlmann1, D. Sosnowska1, M. Tewes10, and A. H.M.J. Triaud1 1 Observatoire astronomique de l’Universite´ de Geneve,` 51 ch. des Maillettes - Sauverny -, CH-1290 Versoix, Switzerland 2 Centro de Astrof´ısica, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Estrelas, 4150-762 Porto, Portugal 3 Departamento de F´ısica e Astronomia, Faculdade de Ciencias,ˆ Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal 4 Instituto de Astrof´ısica de Canarias, C/ V´ıa Lactea´ S/N, E-38200 La Laguna, Spain 5 Departamento de Astrof´ısica, Universidad de La Laguna, E-38205 La Laguna, Spain 6 Universite´ de Liege,` Allee´ du 6 aoutˆ 17, Sart Tilman, Liege` 1, Belgium 7 School of Mathematical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, 3800, Australia 8 Departamento de F´ısica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970, Natal, RN., Brazil 9 Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA 10 Laboratoire d’astrophysique, Ecole Polytechnique Fed´ erale´ de Lausanne (EPFL), Observatoire de Sauverny, CH-1290 Versoix, Switzerland Received month day, year; accepted month day, year ABSTRACT Context.
    [Show full text]
  • BAV Rundbrief Nr. 1 (2012)
    BAV Rundbrief 61. Jahrgang Nr. 1 (2012) ISSN 0405-5497 D. Bannuscher Liebe BAVer 1 N. Reichmann Lichtkurve des EA-Veränderlichen RZ Cas 2 S. Hümmerich / OGLEII BUL-SC33 V4375 und MACHO 176.19087.17: Zwei neue K. Bernhard bedeckungsveränderliche RS-CVn-Sterne 7 S. Hümmerich Datamining in der OGLE-Datenbank - erste Versuche, erste Erfolge 10 W. Vollmann, W. Braune Beobachtung des Minimums von Zeta Aurigae Oktober - Dezember 2011 16 E. Pollmann / Hα-Emission und V-Korrelation als Sonden von Be-Sternscheiben 20 W. Vollmann / F. Puskás L. Pagel Beobachtung von V377 Aurigae 28 G. Srdoc, K. Bernhard GSC 01563-03262 und GSC 02626-00896: Zwei neue RR-Lyrae- Sterne aus der SuperWasp Datenbank 29 H. Diederich EX Hydrae - ein etwas sonderbarer Indermediärer Polar (IP) Teil 1 31 K. Wenzel TW Vul - ein vergessener unbekannter Heidelberger Veränderlicher 38 H. Diederich AM Canum Venaticorum - ein Doppelstern mit ultrakurzer Umlauf- periode 41 P. Lehmann R Corona Borealis 49 J. Neumann V407 Cygni 51 G. Maintz Der Blahzko-Effekt der RR-Lyrae-Sterne 52 Aus der Literatur W. Grimm Aus den IBVS 56 Aus der BAV J. Hübscher Aus der BAV Geschäftsführung 58 L. Pagel BAV-Veränderlichenbeobachter-Treffen am 5. Mai 2012 in Hartha 59 T. Lange Einzelbeobachtungsübersicht 2011 60 A. Oertlin Umsetzung eines Remoteteleskops 61 J. Hambsch AAVSO Jahrestreffen zum 100 jährigen Bestehen 64 Aus den Sektionen F. Walter Bedeckungsveränderliche: Epsilon Aurigae 67 Änderungen der BAV-Programm Bedeckungsveränderliche 68 F. Vohla Mirasterne: Neues zu vernachlässigten Mirasternen 69 T. Lange Kataklysmische: Aktivitäten zwischen Nov. 2011 und Januar 2012 72 J. Hübscher Auswertung: BAV Mitteilungen und aktueller Beobachtungseingang 74 C.
    [Show full text]
  • SIAC Newsletter April 2015
    April 2015 The Sidereal Times Southeastern Iowa Astronomy Club A Member Society of the Astronomical League Club Officers: Minutes March 19, 2015 Executive Committee President Jim Hilkin Vice President Libby published, Bill seconded, ship. Payment can be Vice President Libby Snipes Treasurer Vicki Philabaum Snipes called the meeng and the moon passed. made at a club meeng Secretary David Philabaum Chief Observer David Philabaum to order at 6:33 pm with Vicki gave the Treasurer's or by mailing them to PO Members-at-Large Claus Benninghoven the following members in report stang that the Box 14, West Burlington, Duane Gerling Blake Stumpf aendance: Carl Snipes , current balance in the IA 52655. John moved to Board of Directors Paul Sly, Chuck Block, checking account is approve the Treasurer's Chair Judy Hilkin Vice Chair Ray Reineke Claus Benninghoven, $1,914.04. She also stat- report, seconded by Secretary David Philabaum Members-at-Large Duane Gerling, Bill Stew- ed that she will be send- Chuck, and the moon Frank Libe Blake Stumpf art, Ray Reineke, John ing out noces reminding passed. Dave reported Jim Wilt Toney, and Dave & Vicki people when it is me to that the only groups on Audit Committee Dean Moberg (2012) Philabaum. Lavon Worley renew their member- the schedule at this me JT Stumpf (2013) John Toney (2014) from the conservaon ships. Dues remain $20 are the county Dark Newsletter board was also in aend- per year for a single Wings camps this sum- Karen Johnson ance. John moved to ap- membership and $30 per mer. Libby reported that
    [Show full text]
  • Newsletter 2019-4 October 2019
    Newsletter 2019-4 October 2019 www.variablestarssouth.org NGC 55 photobombs Mark Blackford’s study of the EW binary UY Sculptor. See page 7 for the story. Contents From the director - Mark Blackford ......................................................................................................................................................2 Sixth Variable Stars South Symposium – Mark Blackford ................................................................................3 Positions for SMC Novae 1897-1952 – Mati Morel .....................................................................................................4 As photo bombs go this one’s a beauty – Mark Blackford ..............................................................................7 The ZWO ASI 1600 MM-Cool camera – Roy Axelsen ............................................................................................8 The inconstant eclipsing binary BO Indus – Mark Blackford .....................................................................12 VW Hydri is still worth observing – Stan Walker ..........................................................................................................15 Short period pulsators at AAVSO – Alan Baldwin ......................................................................................................20 Publication watch .......................................................................................................................................................................................................21
    [Show full text]
  • Download a Sample Issue
    ASTRONOMERS FROM ANTIQUITY PPAGEage 164 MARCH/APRIL 2019 $5 Probing for Planets Space agencies prepare next generation of exoplanet hunters THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN Mc DONALD OBSERVATORY STARDATE STAFF MARCH/APRIL • Vol. 47, No. 2 EXECUTIVE EDITOR Damond Benningfield EDITOR Rebecca Johnson ART DIRECTOR C.J. Duncan EATURES EPARtmENts TECHNICAL EDITOR F D Dr. Tom Barnes CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Alan MacRobert 4 Poets, Philosophers, Queens, Astronomers MERLIN 3 MARKETING MANAGER Casey Walker Early women astronomers drafted MARKETING ASSISTANT calendars, plotted eclipses, built SKY CALENDAR MARCH/APRIL 10 Joanne Duffy observatories, and helped shape humanity’s early understanding of the THE STARS IN MARCH/APRIL 12 universe For information about StarDate or other programs of the McDonald Observatory By Jasmin Fox-Skelly Education and Outreach Office, contact ASTROMISCELLANY 14 us at 512-471-5285. For subscription orders only, call 800-STARDATE. 16 Kepler Passes the Torch ASTRONEWS 20 StarDate (ISSN 0889-3098) is published As a successful planet-hunting bimonthly by the McDonald Observatory Resetting the Clock on Saturn’s Rings Education and Outreach Office, The Uni- spacecraft came to the end of its mission, versity of Texas at Austin, 2515 Speedway, Chasing Away Planet Nine Stop C1402, Austin, TX 78712. © 2019 a successor took flight. Several others are The University of Texas at Austin. Annual expected to follow in the next decade Chillin’ Under the Sun subscription rate is $26 in the United States. Subscriptions may be paid for using By Rebecca Johnson Birth of a Black Hole, or Death by Black Hole? credit card or money orders. The University of Texas cannot accept checks drawn on Gaia Spies Galaxy-Hopping Stars foreign banks.
    [Show full text]
  • ABUNDANCE DERIVATIONS for the SECONDARY STARS in CATACLYSMIC VARIABLES from NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY Thomas E
    The Astrophysical Journal, 833:14 (30pp), 2016 December 10 doi:10.3847/0004-637X/833/1/14 © 2016. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved. ABUNDANCE DERIVATIONS FOR THE SECONDARY STARS IN CATACLYSMIC VARIABLES FROM NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY Thomas E. Harrison1,2 Department of Astronomy, New Mexico State University, Box 30001, MSC 4500, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001, USA; [email protected] Received 2016 August 3; revised 2016 September 2; accepted 2016 September 29; published 2016 December 1 ABSTRACT We derive metallicities for 41 cataclysmic variables (CVs) from near-infrared spectroscopy. We use synthetic spectra that cover the 0.8 μmλ2.5μm bandpass to ascertain the value of [Fe/H] for CVs with K-type donors, while also deriving abundances for other elements. Using calibrations for determining [Fe/H] from the K- band spectra of M-dwarfs, we derive more precise values for Teff for the secondaries in the shortest period CVs, and examine whether they have carbon deficits. In general, the donor stars in CVs have subsolar metallicities. We confirm carbon deficits for a large number of systems. CVs with orbital periods >5 hr are most likely to have unusual abundances. We identify four CVs with CO emission. We use phase-resolved spectra to ascertain the mass and radius of the donor in U Gem. The secondary star in U Gem appears to have a lower apparent gravity than a main sequence star of its spectral type. Applying this result to other CVs, we find that the later-than-expected spectral types observed for many CV donors are mostly an effect of inclination.
    [Show full text]
  • Black Holes, Chaos in Universe, Processes in Space, Stars, Galaxies, Ordered Universe
    International Journal of Astronomy 2020, 9(1): 12-26 DOI: 10.5923/j.astronomy.20200901.03 Black Hole & There is no Chaos in the Universe Weitter Duckss Independent Researcher, Zadar, Croatia Abstract This year's Nobel's Prize in physics has turned into another degradation of science. The first part of the article (3.) deals with chaos that includes very different star systems. Inside a system there are objects with a lot of satellites and those with none. Some planets in distant orbits and brown dwarfs are warmer than some stars. The objects and stars of the same mass have completely different temperatures and are often classified into almost all star types. There is light inside an atmosphere or on the surface of an object without an atmosphere, but it disappears just outside the atmosphere or the surface of the object without the atmosphere. There are galaxies with the blueshift and redshift; although the Universe expands faster and faster, there are 200 000 galaxies and clusters of galaxies that merge or collide. There are enormous differences in the quantity of redshift at the same distances for galaxies and larger objects, i.e., there are different distances – with the differences measured in billions of light-years – for the same quantities of redshift. The other part of the article (4.) removes chaos and returns order in the Universe by implementing identical principles in the whole of the volume and for all objects. Keywords Black holes, Chaos in universe, Processes in space, Stars, Galaxies, Ordered universe universality and removing any paradox that might negate the 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Search for 150 Mhz Radio Emission from Extrasolar Planets in the TIFR GMRT Sky Survey
    A&A 562, A108 (2014) Astronomy DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201321571 & c ESO 2014 Astrophysics Search for 150 MHz radio emission from extrasolar planets in the TIFR GMRT Sky Survey S. K. Sirothia1, A. Lecavelier des Etangs2,3, Gopal-Krishna1,N.G.Kantharia1, and C. H. Ishwar-Chandra1 1 National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, TIFR, Post Bag 3, Pune University Campus, 411007 Pune, India 2 CNRS, UMR 7095, Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris, 98bis boulevard Arago, 75014 Paris, France e-mail: [email protected] 3 UPMC Univ. Paris 6, UMR 7095, Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris, 98bis boulevard Arago, 75014 Paris, France Received 26 March 2013 / Accepted 7 January 2014 ABSTRACT The ongoing radio continuum TIFR GMRT Sky Survey (TGSS) using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at 150 MHz offers an unprecedented opportunity to undertake a fairly deep search for low-frequency radio emission from nearby extrasolar plan- ets. Currently TGSS images are available for a little over a steradian, encompassing 175 confirmed exoplanetary systems. We have searched for their radio counterparts in the TGSS (150 MHz), supplemented with a search in the NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS) and the VLA FIRST survey at 1.4 GHz. For 171 planetary systems, we find no evidence of radio emission in the TGSS maps, placing a3σ upper limit between 8.7 mJy and 136 mJy (median ∼24.8 mJy) at 150 MHz. These non-detections include the 55 Cnc system for which we place a 3σ upper limit of 28 mJy at 150 MHz. Nonetheless, for four of the extrasolar planetary systems, we find TGSS radio sources coinciding with or located very close to their coordinates.
    [Show full text]
  • VSS Newsletter – May 2009
    Newsletter 2009/2 2009 May From the Director The opening bars of the first movement Sometimes I feel like the conductor of an orchestra – I wave a wand but everyone else produces the real music. And that’s the way it is in these early days of VSS. A priority for me has been to recruit people far better qualified than I to develop the various spe- cialist areas of VSS. In addition to Stan Walker in LPVs and Alan Plummer in Visual, we now have Dr Paddy McGee of Adelaide to handle CVs. With a PhD in CVs and a range of valuable collabora- tions, it would be hard to find better. I’m really looking forward to see what Paddy comes up with for us. Bob Evans of Invercargill has kindly agreed to handle membership and finance for VSS. Thank God you’re here, Bob! Membership already stands at 20, and I’d expect more to sign up at the RASNZ Conference. A membership form is in the back of this Newsletter. Remember, only VSS members can partake in VSS Projects. After much arm-twisting, I’ve finally persuaded me to take on the role of Coordinator of the Eclips- ing Binaries Programme. I’ve got a couple of projects in mind that I’ll discuss later in this Newsletter, but I confess I’ve been too busy running this show to have anything concrete yet. Which is why a Director shouldn’t be a Coordinator. Anyone want to take Eclipsers away from me, please? Pleeeease? Everyone is waiting on what Michael Chapman will produce for our website, www.varstars.org.
    [Show full text]
  • SAB C SAB 2010 ⋆ ⋆
    Boletim ⋆ da ⋆ Boletim da Sociedade Astronˆomica Brasileira, 29, no.1, 26-53 SAB c SAB 2010 ⋆ ⋆ Naming the extrasolar planets W. Lyra American Museum of Natural History, 79th Street at Central Park West, New York, NY, 10024, USA e-mail: [email protected] Received January 14th 2010; accepted August 25th 2010 Resumo. Planetas extrassolares n˜ao s˜ao nomeados e s˜ao referenciados apenas pela sua designa¸c˜ao cient´ıfica. A raz˜ao apresentada pela UAI para n˜ao os nomear ´eque isso seria impratic´avel dado que os planetas devem ser comuns. Apresento algumas raz˜oes sobre porquˆeessa l´ogica ´einsustent´avel, e sugiro nomes para os 429 candidatos a planetas extrassolares conhecidos at´efevereiro de 2010. Os nomes seguem uma associa¸c˜ao com a constela¸c˜ao `aqual a estrela parental pertence e, desta forma, s˜ao em sua maioria retirados da mitologia greco-romana. Outras mitologias podem ser tamb´em usadas desde que uma associa¸c˜ao adequada seja estabelecida. Abstract. Extrasolar planets are not named and are referred to only by their assigned scientific designation. The reason given by the IAU to not name the planets is that it is considered impractical as planets are expected to be common. I advance some reasons as to why this logic is flawed, and suggest names for the 429 extrasolar planet candidates known as of Feb 2010. The names follow a scheme of association with the constellation that the host star pertains to, and therefore are mostly drawn from Roman-Greek mythology. Other mythologies may also be used given that a suitable association is established.
    [Show full text]
  • Astrosat – Redbook – Proposals April-2016 to September-2016
    AstroSat – redbook – proposals April-2016 to September-2016 PropId Title Abstract SrcNa me RA DEC Tid Piid Institut e Remar ks Probing various G05_002 X-ray binaries show a plethora of spectral and 2S 09 22 -63 17 T02 sudip TIFR properties of three timing properties which can be used to study 0921- 35.20 38.5 X-ray binaries with fundamental problems, such as probing the strong 630 ASTROSAT gravity and dense matter, and understanding the accretion-ejection mechanism. We propose to observe three X-ray binaries, 4U 1636-536, 2S 0921-630 and GS 1826-238, for a total exposure of 80 ks to study a number of such properties. This proposal relies on the broadband X-ray spectral and fast timing capabilities of ASTROSAT. -- -- -- 4U 16 40 -53 45 T01 sudip TIFR 1636- 55.50 05.0 536 -- -- -- GS 18 29 -23 47 T03 sudip TIFR 1826- 28.20 49.0 238 Globular Clusters (GCs) house exotic stellar G05_009 GCs: UV study of NGC 0 52 -26 34 T02 annapur IIA exotic stellar populations and are the only sites where the 288 45.240 57.400 ni products of direct collision of stars (Blue Straggler populations, stars, BSS) are found. GCs also have accreting binaries and binaries, WDs and Horizontal branch stars, which variables - A pilot are all bright in the UV. In the UV, all these stars stand out from the swamp of the cooler main- study sequence stars and red giants. Our simulations suggest that the colour-magnitude diagrams using UVIT filters create definite diagnostic regions which can be used to detect and identify these systems.
    [Show full text]