Interstellar Ca II Line Intensities and the Distances of the OB stars
We show that the equivalent widths of the well-known interstellar Ca IIH and K lines can be used to determine the distances to OB stars in ourGalaxy. The equivalent widths, measured in the spectra of 147 early-typestars, are strongly related to the Hipparcos parallaxes of thoseobjects. The lines fitted to the parallax-equivalent width data aregiven by the formulae π=1/[2.78EW(K)+95] and π=1/[4.58EW(H)+102],where π is in arcseconds and EW is in milliangstroms. The form of theformulae, yielding a finite parallax even for zero absorption, showsthat space within ~100 pc of the Sun contains very little Ca II, whichis in agreement with the known dimensions of the Local Bubble. Using CaII lines for distance determination does not require the knowledge ofthe absolute magnitude of the object; it is thus well suited for targetsfor which the absolute calibration is either not precise (OBsupergiants) or not available at all (peculiar objects). We alsodemonstrate that neither the reddening E(B-V) nor the equivalent widthsof interstellar K I and CH lines are suitable candidates for distanceestimation, their relation with parallaxes being far less tight than forCa II.
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On the massive stellar population of the super star cluster Westerlund 1
We present new spectroscopic and photometric observations of the youngGalactic open cluster Westerlund 1 (Wd 1) that reveala unique population of massive evolved stars. We identify ~200 clustermembers and present spectroscopic classifications for ~25% of these. Wefind that all stars so classified are unambiguously post-Main Sequenceobjects, consistent with an apparent lack of an identifiable MainSequence in our photometric data to V 20. We are able to identifyrich populations of Wolf Rayet stars, OB supergiants and short livedtransitional objects. Of these, the latter group consists of both hot(Luminous Blue Variable and extreme B supergiant) and cool (YellowHypergiant and Red Supergiant) objects - we find that half the knownGalactic population of YHGs resides within Wd 1. We obtain a meanV-MV ~ 25 mag from the cluster Yellow Hypergiants, implying aMain Sequence turnoff at or below MV =-5 (O7 V or later).Based solely on the masses inferred for the 53 spectroscopicallyclassified stars, we determine an absolute minimum mass of ~1.5 ×10^3~Mȯ for Wd 1. However, considering the completephotometrically and spectroscopically selected cluster population andadopting a Kroupa IMF we infer a likely mass for Wd 1 of~10^5~Mȯ, noting that inevitable source confusion andincompleteness are likely to render this an underestimate. As such, Wd 1is the most massive compact young cluster yet identified in the LocalGroup, with a mass exceeding that of Galactic Centre clusters such asthe Arches and Quintuplet. Indeed, the luminosity, inferred mass andcompact nature of Wd 1 are comparable with those of Super Star Clusters- previously identified only in external galaxies - and is consistentwith expectations for a Globular Cluster progenitor.
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The total-to-selective extinction ratio determined from near IR photometry of OB stars
The paper presents an extensive list of the total to selectiveextinction ratios R calculated from the infrared magnitudes of 597 O andB stars using the extrapolation method. The IR magnitudes of these starswere taken from the literature. The IR colour excesses are determinedwith the aid of "artificial standards" - Wegner (1994). The individualand mean values of total to selective extinction ratios R differ in mostcases from the average value R=3.10 +/-0.05 - Wegner (1993) in differentOB associations. The relation between total to selective extinctionratios R determined in this paper and those calculated using the "methodof variable extinction" and the Cardelli et al. (1989) formulae isdiscussed. The R values presented in this paper can be used to determineindividual absolute magnitudes of reddened OB stars with knowntrigonometric parallaxes.
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New periodic variables from the Hipparcos epoch photometry
Two selection statistics are used to extract new candidate periodicvariables from the epoch photometry of the Hipparcos catalogue. Theprimary selection criterion is a signal-to-noise ratio. The dependenceof this statistic on the number of observations is calibrated usingabout 30000 randomly permuted Hipparcos data sets. A significance levelof 0.1 per cent is used to extract a first batch of candidate variables.The second criterion requires that the optimal frequency be unaffectedif the data are de-trended by low-order polynomials. We find 2675 newcandidate periodic variables, of which the majority (2082) are from theHipparcos`unsolved' variables. Potential problems with theinterpretation of the data (e.g. aliasing) are discussed.
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Catalogue of Apparent Diameters and Absolute Radii of Stars (CADARS) - Third edition - Comments and statistics
The Catalogue, available at the Centre de Données Stellaires deStrasbourg, consists of 13 573 records concerning the results obtainedfrom different methods for 7778 stars, reported in the literature. Thefollowing data are listed for each star: identifications, apparentmagnitude, spectral type, apparent diameter in arcsec, absolute radiusin solar units, method of determination, reference, remarks. Commentsand statistics obtained from CADARS are given. The Catalogue isavailable in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp tocdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcar?J/A+A/367/521
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On the relation between diffuse interstellar bands and simple molecular species
We present observations of the major diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs)at 5780 and 5797 Ä as well as literature data and our ownobservations of the violet lines of CH and CH(+) , in the lines of sighttoward some 70 stars representing various degrees of the interstellarreddening. The correlations are shown and discussed in the context ofindicators such as far-UV extinction parameters and neutral molecularabundances. The results show that the DIBs in question (lambda lambda5797 and 5780) both probably form in diffuse cloud interiors, in arelated regime where CH and H_2 form. The ratio of the two DIBscorrelates with CH abundance, confirming that the lambda 5797 carrier isfavoured in enhanced molecular gas regions over the lambda 5780 carrier.The ratio of the two DIBs correlates poorly with CH(+) abundance. Ourcompilation of observational data also suggests that the DIB ratio maybe equally useful as a cloud type indicator as is R_V, the ratio oftotal to selective extinction, and much more readily observed. Based onobservations obtained at the Russian Special Astrophysical Observatory(SAO), Terskol Observatory (TER), Canada France Hawaii Telescope (CFHT),European Southern Observatory (ESO), Observatoire de Haute-Provence(OHP)
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Catalogue of H-alpha emission stars in the Northern Milky Way
The ``Catalogue of Stars in the Northern Milky Way Having H-alpha inEmission" appears in Abhandlungen aus der Hamburger Sternwarte, Band XIin the year 1997. It contains 4174 stars, range {32degr <= l() II< 214degr , -10degr < b() II < +10degr } having the Hαline in emission. HBH stars and stars of further 99 lists taken from theliterature till the end of 1994 were included in the catalogue. We givethe cross-identification of stars from all lists used. The catalogue isalso available in the Centre de Données, Strasbourg ftp130.79.128.5 or http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr and at the HamburgObservatory via internet.
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GAIA Spectroscopy: Proposing the 8500--8750 Angstroms Region and Evaluating the Performances
We propose the Gaia spectroscopic observations to be performed over thewavelength interval 8500--8750 Angstroms, with an optimal dispersion of0.25 Angstroms/pix (or 1000 pixels budget per spectrum) and a 2 pixelPSF. In this paper, on the base of extensive observations as well assynthetic spectra and simulations, we review the spectroscopicperformances expected for Gaia: radial and rotational velocities,spectral classification, detection of mass-loss and spectralpeculiarities, chemical abundance analysis and reddening estimates fromthe 8620 Angstroms diffuse interstellar band. Lower dispersion spectra(corresponding to smaller pixel budgets) are considered too.
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UBV beta Database for Case-Hamburg Northern and Southern Luminous Stars
A database of photoelectric UBV beta photometry for stars listed in theCase-Hamburg northern and southern Milky Way luminous stars surveys hasbeen compiled from the original research literature. Consisting of over16,000 observations of some 7300 stars from over 500 sources, thisdatabase constitutes the most complete compilation of such photometryavailable for intrinsically luminous stars around the Galactic plane.Over 5000 stars listed in the Case-Hamburg surveys still lackfundamental photometric data.
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Kinematic signatures of violent formation of galactic OB associations from HIPPARCOS measurements
Proper motions measured by Hipparcos confirm the large anomalousvelocities of the OB associations located around the Cygnus Superbubble(Cygnus OB1, OB3, OB7, and OB9), and reveal a clearly organizedexpanding pattern in Canis Major OB1. At the distances of theseassociations, the organized velocity patterns imply LSR velocities of upto ~ 60 km s(-1) for the associations in Cygnus, and about ~ 15 km s(-1)in Canis Major OB1. The magnitude and spatial arrangement of theexpanding motions suggests that very energetic phenomena are responsiblefor the formation of the present OB associations. This is independentlysupported by observations of the associated interstellar medium carriedout in other wavelengths. The gravitational instability scenarioproposed by Comeron & Torra 1994 (ApJ 423, 652) to account for theformation of the stars in the Cygnus Superbubble region is reviewed inthe light of the new kinematic data. It is found that the energeticrequirements set by the highest velocities on the OB associationpowering the Superbubble, Cygnus OB2, are too large by orders ofmagnitude. However, the scenario can still account for the formation ofmost of the stars if, as can be reasonably expected, the stars with thehighest measured velocities are actually runaways from Cygnus OB2itself. As for Canis Major OB1, we consider their formation in asupernova remnant, as suggested by Herbst & Assousa 1977 (ApJ, 217,473). The detection of a new runaway star, HIC 35707 (=HD 57682), whosemotion is directed away from the derived center of expansion, supportsthis scenario and provides an independent age for the supernova remnant,assuming that the runaway star was the binary companion of thesupernova. Based on a number of arguments, however, we find it unlikelythat the stars are a direct consequence of instabilities in theexpanding shell. We propose instead that their formation was triggeredin preexisting clouds, accelerated and compressed by the supernovaexplosion.
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Catalogue of stars in the northern Milky Way having H-alpha in emission
Not Available
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Vitesses radiales. Catalogue WEB: Wilson Evans Batten. Subtittle: Radial velocities: The Wilson-Evans-Batten catalogue.
We give a common version of the two catalogues of Mean Radial Velocitiesby Wilson (1963) and Evans (1978) to which we have added the catalogueof spectroscopic binary systems (Batten et al. 1989). For each star,when possible, we give: 1) an acronym to enter SIMBAD (Set ofIdentifications Measurements and Bibliography for Astronomical Data) ofthe CDS (Centre de Donnees Astronomiques de Strasbourg). 2) the numberHIC of the HIPPARCOS catalogue (Turon 1992). 3) the CCDM number(Catalogue des Composantes des etoiles Doubles et Multiples) byDommanget & Nys (1994). For the cluster stars, a precise study hasbeen done, on the identificator numbers. Numerous remarks point out theproblems we have had to deal with.
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An atlas of the infrared spectral region. I. The early type stars (O-G0).
The Atlas illustrates the behavior of early type stars (O, B, A and Ftype) in the near infrared 8375-8770A region at a resolution of aboutone A. Intensity tracings of 76 stars are presented. Of these 51 starscover the spectral range O to G0 and luminosity classes V, III, Ib andIa. The influence of the rotational velocity is also illustrated as wellas the spectra of 19 stars with spectral peculiarities. The completeAtlas is also available under catalog number 3183 from the CDSStrasbourg and other data centers.
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Evaluation of a 512X512-Element Platinum Silicide Schottky-Barrier Infrared Image Sensor and Pilot Observations of Cygnus X Region
We present evaluation of the performance of Mitsubishi's 512X512 elementplatinum silicide (PtSi) Schottky-Barrier infrared image sensor forapplication to astronomical observation. An infrared camera system,incorporating the PtSi array, was built and its performance wasevaluated both in the laboratory and in observations. Dark current, DCstability, noise, quantum efficiency (QE), linearity, and uniformitywere measured. Results of a series of measurements show that the arrayhas potential capability for astronomical use. Several problems such aslow QE and "splashes" are discussed. To demonstrate the effectiveness ofthe array by using this infrared camera, we have mapped an area of 8X9square degrees of the Cygnus X region with a small telescope consistingof a silicon singlet lens. More than 1000 stars brighter than 6.5 mag inH-band were detected in the region. (SECTION: AstronomicalInstrumentation)
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Intrinsic colour indices of O- and B- type stars in the Vilnius photometric system.
Not Available
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Anomalous Proper-Motions in the Cygnus Super Bubble Region
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1993A&AS..101...37C&db_key=AST
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Interstellar extinction in the vicinity of the North America and Pelican Nebulae. II
The results of photoelectric photometry of 564 stars in the Vilniusseven-color system in three areas near the North America and PelicanNebulae are given. Photometric spectral types, absolute magnitudes,color excesses, interstellar extinction,s and distances to the stars aredetermined. We find that the dark cloud separating both nebulae is at580 pc distance. A number of stars immersed in the dark cloud have beenfound. It seems that the dark cloud extends south down to 40 degdeclination. The area southwest of alpha Cygni in the declination zones42 deg and 43 deg is comparatively transparent at least up to 1 kpc.
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Groups of stars with common motion in the Galaxy. Groups of O and B stars
Not Available
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Correlation between the very broad structure and the continuum in FUV extinction curves
There exists a correlation between the amount of the far UV extinctionand the relative strength of the very broad structure in the 500 to 600nm wavelength region of the interstellar extinction curves. For a givencolor excess E(B-V) values of the UV extinction large than averagecorrespond to larger strengths of the very broad structure (VBS) andvice versa. The VBS seems to be a common dust-related feature.
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Groups of stars with common motion in the Galaxy - Groups of B stars of luminosity classes I and II and their comparison with groups of long-period Cepheids and open clusters
In a sample of 93 stars of luminosity classes I and II, ten groups withcommon motion in space are isolated. The reality of five groups isestablished by numerical experiment. A comparison is made with groups oflong-period Cepheids and open clusters. Regularities in the distributionof groups of different objects in space are found. The reality of therotation of a star aggregate consisting of three Cepheid groups isestablished.
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Mass loss from stars : the universal formula for mass loss rate
Not Available
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Photographic UBV Photometry of Flare Stars in the gamma Cygni Region
Not Available
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H-alpha as a tracer of mass loss from OB stars
This paper investigates the use of the H-alpha emission from stellarwinds of OB stars to determine the stellar mass-loss rate. The power inH-alpha emitted by the wind can be parameterized in terms of thetemperature and the density field of the wind. A simple expression isderived which relates the observed H-alpha luminosity to the stellarmass-loss rate, the stellar radius, the velocity law, and the stellareffective temperature. This expression is calibrated for the influenceof the velocity law using a sample of Galactic OB stars with UVmass-loss rates. Consequently, the results depend on the validity of theUV rates. The derived velocity law for O stars turns out to be inagreement with the radiation-pressure-driven wind theory. There isevidence for a dependence of the velocity-law gradient on spectral type.The results for B stars, however, are more uncertain due to thedependence on the adopted mass accretion rate/L relation. Application ofthe calibrated H-alpha luminosity/mass-loss rate relation to a sample of149 galactic OB stars shows that mass accretion rate can be reliablydetermined from H-alpha. Due to the moderate amount of observing timerequired to derive mass accretion rate from H-alpha, this method may beapplied successfully to investigate mass-loss effects in extra-Galacticstars.
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Mass loss rates in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram
Mass loss rates have been collected for 271 stars of spectral type Othrough M, primarily of population I. Good agreement is found forresults obtained according to six different methods, and it is shownthat the mass loss rate data can be well represented by one empiricalinterpolation formula as a function of the effective temperature andluminosity. The chemically evolved stars are shown to have mass lossrates which are larger than those of normal stars occupying the samepositions in the Hertzprung-Russell diagram by factors of 160 forWolf-Rayet stars and 11 for C-type stars.
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The interstellar 217 NM band - A third catalogue of equivalent widths
A catalog of equivalent widths of the 217 nm interstellar absorptionband as well as other parameters characterizing the extinction curve inthe ultraviolet has been compiled for 790 O and B stars. A relativelytight correlation between the equivalent width of the 217 nm band andE(B-V) indicates that the absorber of this band is connected with thepopulation of larger interstellar grains responsible for the visualextinction. The parameter characterizing the amount of extinction in thefar UV is only weakly correlated with E(B-V), a result in accord withthe assumption that a second population of very small grains causes therapid increase of the far-UV extinction.
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Interstellar extinction curve - The profile of very broad structure
The interstellar extinction curve between 3500 and 10,500 A isdetermined from a series of two-color plots based on existing spectralscans. Very Broad Structure (VBS) covers the wavelength range from 5000to 8000 A and consists of three components centered at 5300, 5900 and6800 A. The VBS is shown to originate in the same agent as that ofcontinuous extinction.
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Observations of interstellar diffuse absorption band at 4430 A
Observations of the interstellar diffuse absorption band at 4430 A for800 O and B stars in Neckel's (1967) catalog are being carried out, and482 spectra obtained up to September 1983 have been reduced. It isconfirmed that the strength of the interstellar diffuse absorption bandat 4430 A does not simply relate to the abundance of interstellar grainson the line of sight. The relation between the color excess E(B-V) andthe equivalent width of the band to the direction of l = 130-140 deg andb = -5 to +5 deg shows that some parameter(s) other than E(B-V) is (are)needed to understand the cause of this band.
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Catalog of O-B stars observed with Tokyo Meridian Circle
A catalog of the O-B stars, selected from 'Blaauw-Parenago' list andRubin's catalog, has been compiled on the FK4 system by the observationsmade with Gautier 8-inch Meridian Circle at the Tokyo AstronomicalObservatory during the period, 1971 to 1979. It contains 1059 stars andwas compiled for the future establishment of high precision propermotions of O-B stars.
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A catalog of ultraviolet interstellar extinction excesses for 1415 stars
Ultraviolet interstellar extinction excesses are presented for 1415stars with spectral types B7 and earlier. The excesses with respect to Vare derived from Astronomical Netherlands Satellite (ANS) 5-channel UVphotometry at central wavelengths of approximately 1550, 1800, 2500, and3300 A. A measure of the excess extinction in the 2200-A extinction bumpis also given. The data are valuable for investigating the systematicsof peculiar interstellar extinction and for studying the character of UVinterstellar extinction in the general direction of stars for which theextinction-curve shape is unknown.
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Mass loss rates for northern OB-stars
A mass loss survey of 44 O- and early B-type stars in northern OBassociations is presented. For 22 stars mass loss rates were derivedfrom H-alpha equivalent widths using the method of Klein and Castor(1978). For 15 stars upper limits of the mass loss rates were estimated.For the remaining 7 stars H-alpha and H-beta equivalent width values aregiven but no quantitative evaluation of M-dot was possible. The resultsare compared with present ideas concerning the relation between massloss and other basic stellar parameters.
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