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On the λ Bootis spectroscopic binary hypothesis
Context: . It is still a matter of debate whether the group of λBootis stars have been homogeneously defined. A widely discussed workinghypothesis postulates that two apparent, solar-abundant stars of anundetected spectroscopic binary system mimic a single metal-weakspectrum thus preventing any reliable analysis of the groupcharacteristics. Aims: . We investigate whether the proposedspectroscopic binary model can explain the observed abundance pattern aswell photometric metallicity indices and what the percentage ofundetected spectroscopic binary systems is. Methods: . We usedthe newest available stellar atmospheres to synthesize 105 hypotheticalbinary systems in the relevant astrophysical parameter range. Thesemodels were used to derive photometric indices. As a test, values weregenerated for single stellar atmospheres, Vega and two typical λBootis stars, HD 107233 and HD 204041. Results: . The synthesizedindices fit the standard lines and the observations of the three starsexcellently. For about 90% of the group members, the spectroscopicbinary hypothesis cannot explain the observations. Conclusions: .A careful preselection of λ Bootis stars results in a homogeneousgroup of objects that can be used to investigate the groupcharacteristics.
| The heterogeneous class of lambda Bootis stars
We demonstrate that it is arduous to define the lambda Boo stars as aclass of objects exhibiting uniform abundance peculiarities which wouldbe generated by a mechanism altering the structure of their atmosphericlayers. We collected the stars classified as lambda Boo up to now anddiscuss their properties, in particular the important percentage ofconfirmed binaries producing composite spectra (including our adaptiveoptics observations) and of misclassified objects. The unexplained RVvariables (and thus suspected binaries), the known SB for which we lackinformation on the companion, the stars with an UV flux inconsistentwith their classification, and the fast rotating stars for which noaccurate abundance analysis can be performed, are also reviewed.Partly based on observations collected at the CFH Telescope (Hawaii) andat TBL of the Pic du Midi Observatory (France).Table \ref{tab5} is only available in electronic form athttp://www.edpsciences.org
| The status of Galactic field λ Bootis stars in the post-Hipparcos era
The λ Bootis stars are Population I, late B- to early F-typestars, with moderate to extreme (up to a factor 100) surfaceunderabundances of most Fe-peak elements and solar abundances of lighterelements (C, N, O and S). To put constraints on the various existingtheories that try to explain these peculiar stars, we investigate theobservational properties of λ Bootis stars compared with areference sample of normal stars. Using various photometric systems andHipparcos data, we analyse the validity of standard photometriccalibrations, elemental abundances, and Galactic space motions. Therecrystallizes a clear picture of a homogeneous group of Population Iobjects found at all stages of their main-sequence evolution, with apeak at about 1 Gyr. No correlation of astrophysical parameters such asthe projected rotational velocities or elemental abundances with age isfound, suggesting that the a priori unknown mechanism, which createsλ Bootis stars, works continuously for late B- to early F-typestars in all stages of main-sequence evolution. Surprisingly, the sodiumabundances seem to indicate an interaction between the stars and theirlocal environment.
| On the Period-Luminosity-Colour-Metallicity relation and the pulsational characteristics of lambda Bootis type stars
Generally, chemical peculiarity found for stars on the upper mainsequence excludes delta Scuti type pulsation (e.g. Ap and Am stars), butfor the group of lambda Bootis stars it is just the opposite. This makesthem very interesting for asteroseismological investigations. The groupof lambda Bootis type stars comprises late B- to early F-type,Population I objects which are basically metal weak, in particular theFe group elements, but with the clear exception of C, N, O and S. Thepresent work is a continuation of the studies by Paunzen et al.(\cite{Pau97}, \cite{Pau98}), who presented first results on thepulsational characteristics of the lambda Bootis stars. Since then, wehave observed 22 additional objects; we found eight new pulsators andconfirmed another one. Furthermore, new spectroscopic data (Paunzen\cite{Pau01}) allowed us to sort out misidentified candidates and to addtrue members to the group. From 67 members of this group, only two arenot photometrically investigated yet which makes our analysis highlyrepresentative. We have compared our results on the pulsationalbehaviour of the lambda Bootis stars with those of a sample of deltaScuti type objects. We find that at least 70% of all lambda Bootis typestars inside the classical instability strip pulsate, and they do sowith high overtone modes (Q < 0.020 d). Only a few stars, if any,pulsate in the fundamental mode. Our photometric results are inexcellent agreement with the spectroscopic work on high-degree nonradialpulsations by Bohlender et al. (\cite{Boh99}). Compared to the deltaScuti stars, the cool and hot borders of the instability strip of thelambda Bootis stars are shifted by about 25 mmag, towards smaller(b-y)_0. Using published abundances and the metallicity sensitiveindices of the Geneva 7-colour and Strömgren uvbybeta systems, wehave derived [Z] values which describe the surface abundance of theheavier elements for the group members. We find that thePeriod-Luminosity-Colour relation for the group of lambda Bootis starsis within the errors identical with that of the normal delta Scutistars. No clear evidence for a statistically significant metallicityterm was detected. Based on observations from the Austrian AutomaticPhotoelectric Telescope (Fairborn Observatory), SAAO and Siding SpringObservatory.
| The accretion/diffusion theory for lambda Bootis stars in the light of spectroscopic data
Most of the current theories suggest the lambda Bootis phenomenon tooriginate from an interaction between the stellar surface and its localenvironment. In this paper, we compare the abundance pattern of thelambda Bootis stars to that of the interstellar medium and find largerdeficiencies for Mg, Si, Mn and Zn than in the interstellar medium. Acomparison with metal poor post-AGB stars showing evidence forcircumstellar material indicates a similar physical process possiblybeing at work for some of the lambda Bootis stars, but not for all ofthem. Despite the fact that the number of spectroscopically analysedlambda Bootis stars has considerably increased in the past, a test ofpredicted effects with observations shows current abundance andtemperature data to be still controversial.
| The abundance pattern of lambda Bootis stars
Within a project to investigate the properties of lambda Bootis stars,we report on their abundance pattern. High resolution spectra have beenobtained for a total of twelve candidate lambda Bootis stars, four ofthem being contained in spectroscopic binary systems, and detailedabundance analyses have been performed. All program stars show acharacteristic lambda Bootis abundance pattern (deficient heavy elementsand solar abundant light elements) and an enhanced abundance of Na. Thiswork raises the fraction of lambda Bootis stars with known abundances to50%. The resulting abundances complemented by literature data are usedto construct a ``mean lambda Bootis abundance pattern'', which exhibits,apart from general underabundances of heavy elements (~-1 dex) and solarabundances of C, N, O, Na and S, a star-to-star scatter which is up totwice as large as for a comparable sample of normal stars. Based onobservations obtained at the Osservatorio Astronomico di Padua-Asiago,OPD/LNA, KPNO and DSO.
| Light element non-LTE abundances of lambda Bootis stars. II. Nitrogen and sulphur
One of the main characteristics proclaimed for the group of the lambdaBootis stars is the apparent solar abundance of the light elements C, N,O and S. The typical abundance pattern is completed by the strongunderabundances of the Fe-peak elements. In the first paper of thisseries, we have shown that carbon is less abundant than oxygen but bothelements are still significantly more abundant than Fe-peak elements.The mean abundances, based on a detailed non-LTE investigation, werefound -0.37 dex and -0.07 dex, respectively. As a further step, we nowpresent non-LTE abundances of nitrogen and sulphur for thirteen membersof the lambda Bootis group based on several spectral lines between 8590Å, and 8750 Å. Furthermore, LTE abundances for calcium inthe same spectral range were derived and compared with values from theliterature. Similar to the mean abundances of carbon and oxygen, nearlysolar values were found (-0.30 dex for nitrogen and -0.11 dex forsulphur) for our sample of program stars. Among our sample, onepreviously undetected binary system (HD 64491) was identified. From astatistical point of view, the abundances of the light elements rangefrom slightly overabundant to moderately underabundant compared to theSun. However, the individual objects always exhibit a similiar pattern,with the Fe-peak elements being significantly more underabundant thanthe light elements. No correlation of the derived abundances withastrophysical parameters such as the effective temperature, surfacegravity or projected rotational velocity was found. Furthermore, theabundances of the light elements do not allow us to discriminate betweenany proposed theory. Based on observations obtained at BNAO Rozhen andComplejo Astronómico el Leoncito (CASLEO), operated under theagreement between the Consejo Nacional de InvestigacionesCientíficas y Técnicas de la República Argentinaand the National Universities of La Plata, Córdoba y San Juan.
| Physical parameters of lambda Bootis stars
This is the first of two papers whose main goal is to update and improvethe information available on the physical properties of the lambdaBootis stars. The determination of the stellar parameters is offundamental importance to shed light into the different theoriesproposed to explain the lambda Bootis phenomenon. With this aim,projected rotational velocities, effective temperatures, surfacegravities and chemical abundances of a sample of suspected lambda Bootisstars have been calculated. Five objects showing composite spectratypical of binary systems were found in our analysis. The abundancedistribution of the program stars does not resemble the chemicalcomposition of the class prototype, lambda Boo, which poses someconcerns regarding the idea of a well-defined, chemically homogeneousgroup of stars. A possible relation between rotational velocities andthe lambda Bootis phenomenon has been found. This result would be inagreement with the accretion scenario proposed by Turcotte &Charbonneau (\cite{Turcotte93}). Figure 3 is only available inelectronic form at http://www.edpsciences.org
| A spectroscopic survey for lambda Bootis stars. II. The observational data
lambda Bootis stars comprise only a small number of all A-type stars andare characterized as nonmagnetic, Population i, late B to early F-typedwarfs which show significant underabundances of metals whereas thelight elements (C, N, O and S) are almost normal abundant compared tothe Sun. In the second paper on a spectroscopic survey for lambda Bootisstars, we present the spectral classifications of all program starsobserved. These stars were selected on the basis of their Strömgrenuvbybeta colors as lambda Bootis candidates. In total, 708 objects insix open clusters, the Orion OB1 association and the Galactic field wereclassified. In addition, 9 serendipity non-candidates in the vicinity ofour program stars as well as 15 Guide Star Catalogue stars were observedresulting in a total of 732 classified stars. The 15 objects from theGuide Star Catalogue are part of a program for the classification ofapparent variable stars from the Fine Guidance Sensors of the HubbleSpace Telescope. A grid of 105 MK standard as well as ``pathological''stars guarantees a precise classification. A comparison of our spectralclassification with the extensive work of Abt & Morrell(\cite{Abt95}) shows no significant differences. The derived types are0.23 +/- 0.09 (rms error per measurement) subclasses later and 0.30 +/-0.08 luminosity classes more luminous than those of Abt & Morrell(\cite{Abt95}) based on a sample of 160 objects in common. The estimatederrors of the means are +/- 0.1 subclasses. The characteristics of oursample are discussed in respect to the distribution on the sky, apparentvisual magnitudes and Strömgren uvbybeta colors. Based onobservations from the Observatoire de Haute-Provence, OsservatorioAstronomico di Padova-Asiago, Observatório do Pico dosDias-LNA/CNPq/MCT, Chews Ridge Observatory (MIRA) and University ofToronto Southern Observatory (Las Campanas).
| How many lambda Bootis stars are binaries?
In the attempt to shed new light on the lambda Boo phenomenon weanalyzed the astrometric, photometric and spectroscopic characteristicsof stars out of a list of recently selected lambda Boo candidates. Weshow that the class is still ill-defined and discuss the possibilitythat some, if not most stars presently classified as lambda Boo, are infact binary pairs and that peculiar abundances may not correspond toactual values if the average values of the atmospheric parameters{Teff} and log g are assumed and the effect of veiling is nottaken into account. Partly based on data from the ESA Hipparcosastrometry satellite.
| The pulsation and evolution of lambda Bootis stars.
Not Available
| On the evolutionary status of lambda Bbootis stars using HIPPARCOS data
Using the Hipparcos data, absolute magnitudes and thus the evolutionarystatus for the group of lambda Bootis stars were derived. The origin ofthis small group of non-magnetic, chemically peculiar stars, stillremains a matter of debate. Using new evolutionary tracks, an agedetermination could be provided to distinguish between the two competingtheories - the diffusion/mass-loss and the accretion. The resultsestablish the members of this group as objects which are very close tothe Main Sequence. This is supported by Pre-Main Sequence evolutionarytracks as well as by observational results. This contradicts priorconclusions that most of these stars are in the middle of their MainSequence lifetime. The new results strongly support the predictions ofthe accretion theory.
| Identification of lambda Bootis stars using IUE spectra. I. Low resolution data
An analysis of the stars included in the catalogue of lambda Bootisstars by Paunzen et al. (1997) and which also have IUE observations ispresented here. Population I A-F type stars as well as field horizontalbranch stars were also included in the analysis. Using line-ratios ofcarbon to heavier elements (Al and Ni) allows us to establishunambiguous membership criteria for the lambda Bootis group. Tables 1-3are only available in electronic form at CDS via anonymous ftp tocdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html
| First CCD measurements in the {DELTA}a system for detecting CP2 stars.
This is the first time that CCD-photometry in the three filter {DELTA}asystem (Maitzen, 1976A&A....52..223M) was carried out after twodecades of classical photoelectric photometry. The aim is to extend thesuccessful search for chemically peculiar stars to more and distant openclusters as well as far galactic fields. In this paper we presentCCD-photometry for a sample of 25 field stars with publishedspectroscopic peculiarity types. 22 of them show discordance betweentheir Michigan catalogue types (non-peculiar) and the Bidelman &MacConnell (1973AJ.....78..678B; BC) peculiarity assignments. Eightstars are peculiar in {DELTA}a (five of them also in the Geneva index{DELTA}(V1-G)) thus supporting BC, mainly among their Silicon stardiscoveries. Considering cases where Silicon line enhancements wereinterpreted as peculiar instead as indicator of higher luminosity by BC,and the perfect detection of the three unambiguous peculiar stars, inaddition to the achievement of an accuracy of 0.003mags, we arejustified to conclude that the performance of our CCD-{DELTA}aphotometry perfectly matches the requirements of the conventionalphotometric technique and thus opens the way to observations of fainterstars.
| On the evolutionary status of λ Bootis stars using HIPPARCOS data.
We have used the Hipparcos data to derive absolute magnitudes and thusthe evolutionary status for the group of λ Bootis stars. Theorigin for this small group of nonmagnetic, chemically peculiar stars,still remains a matter of debate. Using new evolutionary tracks, we areable to provide an age determination to distinguish between the twoproposed theories - the diffusion/mass-loss and the accretion theory.Our results establish the member of this group as objects which are veryclose to the Main Sequence. This is also supported by Pre-Main Sequenceevolutionary tracks as well as by observational results. We thereforecontradict prior conclusions that most of these stars are in the middleof their Main Sequence lifetime. The new results strongly support thepredictions of the accretion theory.
| A consolidated catalogue of lambda Bootis stars
lambda Bootis stars challenge our understanding of diffusion andaccretion processes related to stars and their circumstellarenvironment, and they are interesting components of the classicalinstability strip. Attempts to derive group properties with statisticalmethods are severely limited by the small number of unambiguouslyidentified lambda Bootis stars. In general, the subject appears to beobscured by incorrect memberships and it is therefore essential toprovide a sufficiently large catalogue of definitive group membersbefore modeling the lambda Bootis phenomenon. This paper describes thefirst steps towards this goal, based on our current knowledge of wellinvestigated members, leading to a concise definition of lambda Bootisstars: {Pop I hydrogen burning metal poor (except of C,N,O and S) A-typestars.} The definition does not depend on phenomenological features,like flux depressions, colour excesses, v sin i values, etc. Based on anew homogeneous catalogue with 45 lambda Bootis stars, we discussclassification criteria which can be used for a spectroscopic andphotometric all-sky survey for lambda Bootis stars in the field and inclusters of different ages. Based on observations obtained atESO-La,Silla, CTIO, Observatoire de Haute-Provence, OsservatorioAstronomico di Padua-Asiago, Univ. Toronto Southern Observatory,Observatorio do Pico dos Dias-LNA/CNPq/MCT (Brazil). Table 1 is alsoavailable in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp tocdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html.
| Mass and age determination for 21 λ Bootis-type stars.
Newly published theoretical grids of stellar models are used to evaluatemasses and ages of 21 stars with proven λ Bootis characteristics.Basic input parameters as effective temperature and luminosity for eachstar are calculated from their uvbyβ indices. Masses thus estimatedare in the range of 1.6-2.7 solar masses, the evolutionary ages arebetween 10^7^ and 10^9^ years. In terms of stellar evolution, most ofthe studied λ Bootis stars are in the middle of their mainsequence evolution. Only a few of them are young enough to fulfill therequirements of the "diffusion/accretion" model. Masses and ages of theexamined stars are compared with already published [Fe/H] data. Iron isless deficient in more massive λ Bootis stars. There is noevidence for significant change in the chemical composition ofconsidered λ Bootis type stars during their evolution on the mainsequence.
| Hydrogen-line profiles of six lambda Bootis stars
Based on high resolution spectroscopic observations hydrogen-lineprofiles of six lambda Bootis stars: HD 31295, HD 101108, HD 105058, HD106223, HD 142703 and HD 183324 are presented. Peculiar line profileswith weak cores and broad but shallow wings are found for four of thestars. Influence of metallicity parameter (Z/H) and effectivetemperature on the appearance of the observed hydrogen lines isdiscussed.
| A search for Lambda Bootis stars in OB associations
A search for Lambda Bootis stars in two OB associations, Orion OB1 andLacerta OB1, has been carried out. One Lambda Bootis star has beendiscovered in the Orion OB1 association. In addition, nine A-type starswhich appear to be slightly metal weak have been found in the twoassociations. The Lambda Bootis star is situated on the Zero-Age MainSequence (ZAMS). The discovery of these stars strengthens the hypothesisthat the Lambda Bootis stars are related to a short-lived evolutionaryphase associated with the arrival of the star on the ZAMS.
| The calibration of the Stromgren photometric system for A, F and early G supergiants. I - The observational data
An empirical calibration of the Stromgren uvby-beta photometric systemfor the A, F, and early G supergiants is being derived. This paperexplains the observational program and the photometric reductiontechniques used and presents a catalog of new Stromgren photometry forover 600 A, F, and G supergiants.
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Observation and Astrometry data
| Constellation: | Κένταυρος |
| Right ascension: | 12h19m55.64s |
| Declination: | -48°18'59.5" |
| Apparent magnitude: | 7.363 |
| Distance: | 81.169 parsecs |
| Proper motion RA: | 50.7 |
| Proper motion Dec: | -17.4 |
| B-T magnitude: | 7.656 |
| V-T magnitude: | 7.388 |
Catalogs and designations:
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