Results from the adaptive optics coronagraph at the William Herschel Telescope
Described here is the design and commissioning of a coronagraph facilityfor the 4.2-m William Herschel Telescope (WHT) and its Nasmyth AdaptiveOptics for Multi-purpose Instrumentation (NAOMI). The use of the NAOMIsystem gives an improved image resolution of ~0.15 arcsec at awavelength of 2.2μm. This enables the Optimised Stellar Coronagraphfor Adaptive optics (OSCA) to suppress stellar light using smallerocculting masks and thus allows regions closer to bright astronomicalobjects to be imaged. OSCA provides a selection of 10 differentocculting masks with sizes of 0.25-2.0arcsec in diameter, including twowith full grey-scale Gaussian profiles. There is also a choice ofdifferent sized and shaped Lyot stops (pupil plane masks). Computersimulations of the different coronagraphic options with the NAOMIsegmented mirror have relevance for the next generation of highlysegmented extremely large telescopes.
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CHAOS: The Cornell High-Order Adaptive Optics Survey for Brown Dwarfs
The Cornell High-order Adaptive Optics Survey for brown dwarfs (CHAOS),currently about 90% complete, uses the Palomar Hale Telescope's adaptiveoptics system to survey 80 bright stars out to 13 parsecs. Using thetelescope's AO Science camera, brown dwarf companions 4-200 AU can beidentified using coronagraphic imaging and spectroscopic modes. We willbe using monte carlo simulations to create population models consistentwith the CHAOS data set.Currently, we have observed 70 systems out of a target sample of 80.Five candidate companions await follow-up observations. As of now, nosystems in the target sample have shown strong evidence of having browndwarf companions. These early results support previous speculations ofa ``brown dwarf desert'' at orbital separations out to 200 AU.While the target sources revealed no evidence of brown dwarf companions,accompanying observations of calibration stars provided evidence of anearly methane dwarf candidate around the binary system HD150451AB. Fortyseven parsecs from earth, the candidate indicated a projected orbitalseparation of 280 AU.
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A T-dwarf Companion to HD150451AB
We present strong evidence of an early-type methane brown dwarfcompanion to the binary system HD150451AB. We obtained J-band and K-banddiffraction-limited images with the Palomar Adaptive Optics system(PALAO) and the PHARO camera on the Hale 5-meter telescope, revealing anobject having infrared colors and luminosities consistent with anearly-type T-dwarf. We also obtained high-resolution astrometry over twoyears, showing common proper motion and confirming the object as a truephysical companion. We used differential methane band imaging with thePalomar Wide-field Infrared Camera (WIRC) to reveal methane absorption,confirming the T-dwarf nature of the object. We observed apparentvariability in the methane depression with ~{50%} amplitude over a~{72}-hour timescale. After Gliese 229B and Gliese 570D, HD150451C isonly the third known methane binary companion to a normal star.
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Rotational velocities of A-type stars in the northern hemisphere. II. Measurement of v sin i
This work is the second part of the set of measurements of v sin i forA-type stars, begun by Royer et al. (\cite{Ror_02a}). Spectra of 249 B8to F2-type stars brighter than V=7 have been collected at Observatoirede Haute-Provence (OHP). Fourier transforms of several line profiles inthe range 4200-4600 Å are used to derive v sin i from thefrequency of the first zero. Statistical analysis of the sampleindicates that measurement error mainly depends on v sin i and thisrelative error of the rotational velocity is found to be about 5% onaverage. The systematic shift with respect to standard values fromSlettebak et al. (\cite{Slk_75}), previously found in the first paper,is here confirmed. Comparisons with data from the literature agree withour findings: v sin i values from Slettebak et al. are underestimatedand the relation between both scales follows a linear law ensuremath vsin inew = 1.03 v sin iold+7.7. Finally, thesedata are combined with those from the previous paper (Royer et al.\cite{Ror_02a}), together with the catalogue of Abt & Morrell(\cite{AbtMol95}). The resulting sample includes some 2150 stars withhomogenized rotational velocities. Based on observations made atObservatoire de Haute Provence (CNRS), France. Tables \ref{results} and\ref{merging} are only available in electronic form at the CDS viaanonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.125.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/393/897
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Two-colour photometry for 9473 components of close Hipparcos double and multiple stars
Using observations obtained with the Tycho instrument of the ESAHipparcos satellite, a two-colour photometry is produced for componentsof more than 7 000 Hipparcos double and multiple stars with angularseparations 0.1 to 2.5 arcsec. We publish 9473 components of 5173systems with separations above 0.3 arcsec. The majority of them did nothave Tycho photometry in the Hipparcos catalogue. The magnitudes arederived in the Tycho B_T and V_T passbands, similar to the Johnsonpassbands. Photometrically resolved components of the binaries withstatistically significant trigonometric parallaxes can be put on an HRdiagram, the majority of them for the first time. Based on observationsmade with the ESA Hipparcos satellite.
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Radial velocities. Measurements of 2800 B2-F5 stars for HIPPARCOS
Radial velocities have been determined for a sample of 2930 B2-F5 stars,95% observed by the Hipparcos satellite in the north hemisphere and 80%without reliable radial velocity up to now. Observations were obtainedat the Observatoire de Haute Provence with a dispersion of 80Ä,mm(-1) with the aim of studying stellar and galactic dynamics.Radial velocities have been measured by correlation with templates ofthe same spectral class. The mean obtained precision is 3.0 km s(-1)with three observations. A new MK spectral classification is estimatedfor all stars. Based on observations made at the Haute ProvenceObservatory, France and on data from The Hipparcos Catalogue, ESA.Tables 4, 5 and 6 are only available in electronic form at the CDS viaanonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.htm
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On the HIPPARCOS photometry of chemically peculiar B, A, and F stars
The Hipparcos photometry of the Chemically Peculiar main sequence B, A,and F stars is examined for variability. Some non-magnetic CP stars,Mercury-Manganese and metallic-line stars, which according to canonicalwisdom should not be variable, may be variable and are identified forfurther study. Some potentially important magnetic CP stars are noted.Tables 1, 2, and 3 are available only in electronic form at the CDS viaanonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html
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The Angular Momentum of Main Sequence Stars and Its Relation to Stellar Activity
Rotational velocities are reported for intermediate-mass main sequencestars it the field. The measurements are based on new, high S/N CCDspectra from the Coudé Feed Telescope of the Kitt Peak NationalObservatory. We analyze these rotation rates for a dependence on bothmass and age. We compare the average rotation speeds of the field starswith mean velocities for young stars in Orion, the Alpha Persei cluster,the Pleiades, and the Hyades. The average rotation speeds of stars moremassive than $\sim1.6$ \msun\experience little or no change during theevolutionary lifetimes of these stars on the zero age main sequence orwithin the main sequence band. Less massive stars in the range betwee n1.6\msun\ and 1.3\msun\ also show little decline in mean rotation ratewhile they are on the main sequence, and at most a factor of 2 decreasein velocity as they evolve off the main sequence. The {\it e}-foldingtime for the loss of angular momentum b y the latter group of stars isat least 1--2 billion years. This inferred characteristic time scale forspindown is far longer than the established rotational braking time forsolar-type stars with masses below $\sim1.3$ \msun. We conclude from acomparison of the trends in rotation with trends in chromospheric andcoronal activity that the overall decline in mean rotation speed alongthe main sequence, from $\sim2$ \msun\ down to $\sim1.3$ \msun, isimposed during the pre-main sequence phase of evolution, and that thispattern changes little thereafter while the star resides on the mainsequence. The magnetic activity implicated in the rotational spindown ofthe Sun and of similar stars during their main sequence lifetimes mus ttherefore play only a minor role in determining the rotation rates ofthe intermediate mass stars, either because a solar-like dynamo is weakor absent, or else the geometry of the magnetic field is appreciablyless effective in removing angular momentu m from these stars. (SECTION:Stars)
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The Relation between Rotational Velocities and Spectral Peculiarities among A-Type Stars
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1995ApJS...99..135A&db_key=AST
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The southern Vilnius photometric system. I - Transformation to the standard system
This paper is the first in a series on the extension of the Vilniusphotometric system to the southern hemisphere. Observations of a commonset of 73 stars measured in both hemispheres are described and ananalysis of the differences is given.
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The early F-type stars - Refined classification, confrontation with Stromgren photometry, and the effects of rotation
The classification for early F-type stars in the MK spectralclassification system presented by Gray and Garrison (1987) is refined.The effect of rotation on spectral classification and ubvy-betaphotometry of early F-type stars is examined. It is found that theclassical luminosity criterion, the 4417 A/4481 A ratio givesinconsistent results. It is shown that most of the stars in the DeltaDelphini class of metallic-line stars are either normal or areindistinguishable from proto-Am stars. It is suggested that thedesignation Delta Delphini should be dropped. The classifications arecompared with Stromgren photometry. The effects of rotation on thedelta-c1 index in the early-F field dwarfs is demonstrated.
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Magnetic structure in cool stars. XV - The evolution of rotation rates and chromospheric activity of giants
For cool giants and subgiants the observed dependence of rotationalvelocity and Ca II H and K line-core emission on color B-V isinterpreted in terms of changes in the moment of inertia by stellarevolution. Modeling of the rotational velocity during the evolution ofcool giants with masses between 2.0 and 3.0 solar masses, by taking intoaccount the change in the moment of inertia and assuming rigid-bodyrotation and conservation of angular momentum, describes the observeddecrease of v sin i with B-V. The computed evolution of the rotationalvelocity, together with the empirical relation between the Ca IIline-core emission and the rotation rate, explain the observed drop inthe Ca II line-core emission for giants at B-V = about 0.95. Forsubgiants with masses of about 1.5 solar mass, the change in the momentof inertia by itself cannot explain the observed v sin i distribution:there are indications of loss of angular momentum, presumably bymagnetic braking.
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ICCD speckle observations of binary stars. I - A survey for duplicity among the bright stars
A survey of a sample of 672 stars from the Yale Bright Star Catalog(Hoffleit, 1982) has been carried out using speckle interferometry onthe 3.6-cm Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope in order to establish thebinary star frequency within the sample. This effort was motivated bythe need for a more observationally determined basis for predicting thefrequency of failure of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) fine-guidancesensors to achieve guide-star lock due to duplicity. This survey of 426dwarfs and 246 evolved stars yielded measurements of 52 newly discoveredbinaries and 60 previously known binary systems. It is shown that thefrequency of close visual binaries in the separation range 0.04-0.25arcsec is 11 percent, or nearly 3.5 times that previously known.
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Photoelectric Photometry of Stars in the Vilnius System in Kapteyn Areas SA:92 SA:108 and SA:112
Not Available
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Prediction of spectral classification from photometric observations - Application of the UVBY beta photometry and the MK spectra classification. II - General case
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1980A&A....85...93M&db_key=AST
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Prediction of spectral classification from photometric observations-application to the UVBY beta photometry and the MK spectral classification. I - Prediction assuming a luminosity class
An algorithm based on multiple stepwise and isotonic regressions isdeveloped for the prediction of spectral classification from photometricdata. The prediction assumes a luminosity class with reference touvbybeta photometry and the MK spectral classification. The precisionattained is about 90 percent and 80 percent probability of being withinone spectral subtype respectively for luminosity groups I and V and forluminosity groups III and IV. A list of stars for which discrepanciesappear between photometry and spectral classification is given.
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UBVRI photometry of 225 AM stars
UBVRI photometry of 225 Am stars taken from Mendoza's (1974) catalog ispresented. The results are compared with those obtained by Feinstein(1974) for 21 of the stars and with the values of Johnson et al. (1966).It is assumed that in the first approximation the (V-I) color index ofan unreddened Am star is equal to that of a normal main-sequence star; astandard main sequence is defined for A and early F stars, and thefive-color photometry is analyzed by means of plots of U-V vs. V-I, B-Vvs. V-I, and V-R vs. V-I. Mean color deficiencies of Am stars areexamined, and it is suggested that an unreddened star located below themain-sequence A0-F2 line in the (V-I, U-V) plane is a photometric Amstar. It is concluded that: (1) photometric Am stars have colordeficiencies (as a function of V-I) which, on the average, are 0.07 magin (U-V) color index and 0.025 mag in (B-V) color index; (2) Am starswith V-R less than 0.25 mag may also have a color deficiency of about0.01 mag; (3) Am stars with V-R greater than 0.3 mag may have a colorexcess of approximately 0.01 mag; and (4) Am stars with V-R between 0.25and 0.3 mag may have normal colors.
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Photoelectric UVBY and H BET photometry of 750 A and F stars in 63 selected areas with |b|<30
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1977A&AS...30..297K&db_key=AST
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Detection of errors in spectral classification by cluster analysis
Cluster analysis methods are applied to the photometric catalogue ofuvby-beta measurements by Hauck and Lindemann (1973) and point out 249stars the spectral type of which should be reconsidered or thephotometric indices of which should be redetermined.
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The interstellar reddening in front of globular clusters.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1975PASP...87...65C&db_key=AST
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Multicolor photometry of metallic-line stars. III. A photometric catalogue
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1974RMxAA...1..175M&db_key=AST
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Rotation of evolving A and F stars.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1972A&A....18..428D&db_key=AST
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NEWS@SKY (Science&Space News)
