428 research outputs found
UBVRI photometric comparison sequences for symbiotic stars
We present accurate UBVRI photometric comparison sequences around 20
symbiotic stars. The sequences extend over wide brightness and color ranges,
and are suited to cover quiescence as well as outburst phases. The sequences
are intended to assist both present time photometry as well as measurement of
photographic plates from historical archives. The types of variability
presented by symbiotic stars are reviewed. Individual notes on the known
photometric behaviour of the program stars are provided.Comment: in press in Astron.Astrophys.Supp
Connection between orbital modulation of H-alpha and gamma-rays in the Be/X-ray binary LSI+61303
We studied the average orbital modulation of various parameters (gamma-ray
flux, H-alpha emission line, optical V band brightness) of the radio- and
gamma-ray emitting Be/X-ray binary LSI+61303. Using the Spearman rank
correlation test, we found highly significant correlations between the orbital
variability of the equivalent width of the blue hump of the H-alpha and
Fermi-LAT flux with a Spearman p-value 2e-5, and the equivalent widths ratio
EW_B/EW_R and Fermi-LAT flux with p-value 9e-5. We also found a significant
anti-correlation between Fermi-LAT flux and V band magnitude with p-value
7.10^{-4}.
All these correlations refer to the average orbital variability, and we
conclude that the H-alpha and gamma-ray emission processes in LSI+61303 are
connected. The possible physical scenario is briefly discussed.Comment: accepted as a Letter in Astronomy and Astrophysic
Selecting asteroids for a targeted spectroscopic survey
Asteroid spectroscopy reflects surface mineralogy. There are few thousand
asteroids whose surfaces have been observed spectrally. Determining the surface
properties of those objects is important for many practical and scientific
applications, such as for example developing impact deflection strategies or
studying history and evolution of the Solar System and planet formation.
The aim of this study is to develop a pre-selection method that can be
utilized in searching for asteroids of any taxonomic complex. The method could
then be utilized im multiple applications such as searching for the missing
V-types or looking for primitive asteroids.
We used the Bayes Naive Classifier combined with observations obtained in the
course of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and the Wide-field Infrared Survey
Explorer surveys as well as a database of asteroid phase curves for asteroids
with known taxonomic type. Using the new classification method we have selected
a number of possible V-type candidates. Some of the candidates were than
spectrally observed at the Nordic Optical Telescope and South African Large
Telescope.
We have developed and tested the new pre-selection method. We found three
asteroids in the mid/outer Main Belt that are likely of differentiated type.
Near-Infrared are still required to confirm this discovery. Similarly to other
studies we found that V-type candidates cluster around the Vesta family and are
rare in the mid/oter Main Belt.
The new method shows that even largely explored large databases combined
together could still be further exploited in for example solving the missing
dunite problem.Comment: accepted to A
The hydrogen and helium lines of the symbiotic binary Z And during its brightening at the end of 2002
High resolution observations in the region of the lines Halpha, He II 4686
and Hgamma of the spectrum of the symbiotic binary Z And were performed during
its small-amplitude brightening at the end of 2002. The profiles of the
hydrogen lines were double-peaked. These profiles give a reason to suppose that
the lines can be emitted mainly by an optically thin accretion disc. The Halpha
line is strongly contaminated by the emission of the envelope, therefore for
consideration of accretion disc properties we use the Hgamma line. The Halpha
line had broad wings which are supposed to be determined mostly from radiation
damping but high velocity stellar wind from the compact object in the system
can also contribute to their appearance. The Hgamma line had a broad emission
component which is assumed to be emitted mainly from the inner part of the
accretion disc. The line He II 4686 had a broad emission component too, but it
is supposed to appear in a region of a high velocity stellar wind. The outer
radius of the accretion disc can be calculated from the shift between the
peaks. Assuming, that the orbit inclination can ranges from 47 to
76, we estimate the outer radius as 20 - 50 R_sun. The behaviour of the
observed lines can be considered in the framework of the model proposed for
interpretation of the line spectrum during the major 2000 - 2002 brightening of
this binary.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy Report
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