324 research outputs found
On the highly reddened members in 6 young galactic star clusters - a multiwavelength study
The spectral and reddening properties of 211 highly reddened proper motion
members with mag in 6 young galactic star clusters are investigated
using low resolution spectroscopic, broad-band and mid-IR data. We
report emission features in CaII HK and HI lines for a sample of 29 stars
including 11 stars reported for the first time and also provide either a new or
more reliable spectral class for a sample of 24 stars. CaII triplet width
measurements are used to indicate the presence of an accretion disk for a dozen
stars and to hint luminosity for a couple of stars. On the basis of spectral
features, near-IR excesses, dereddened color-color diagrams and mid-IR spectral
indices we identify a group of 28 pre-main sequence cluster members including 5
highly probable Herbig Ae/Be and 6 classical T Tauri star. A total of 25
non-emission MS stars, amounting to 10 % early type MS members, appears
to show Vega-like characteristics or are precursors to such a phenomenon. The
various membership indicators suggest that 16% of the PM members are
non-members. A significant fraction (70%) of program stars in NGC 1976, NGC
2244, NGC 6530 and NGC 6611 show anomalous reddening with =
, , and , respectively,
indicating the presence of grain size dust larger than that typical to the
diffuse medium. A small number of stars in NGC 1976, NGC 2244 and NGC 6611 also
show normal behavior while the cluster NGC 6823 appears to have a normal
reddening. Three highly luminous late type giants, one in NGC 2244 and two in
NGC 6530, appears to be member and are in post-hydrogen-core-burning stages
suggesting a prolonged duration ( 25 Myrs) of star formation.Comment: 12 pages, 13 figures, submitted to MNRA
Yield improvement through female homosexual hybrids and sex genetics of sweet gourd (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng.)
Variability of the Vela Pulsar-wind Nebula Observed with Chandra
The observations of the pulsar-wind nebula (PWN) around the Vela pulsar with
the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer aboard the Chandra X-ray Observatory,
taken on 2000 April 30 and November 30, reveal its complex morphology
reminiscent of that of the Crab PWN. Comparison of the two observations shows
changes up to 30% in the surface brightness of the PWN features. Some of the
PWN elements show appreciable shifts, up to a few arcseconds (about 10^{16}
cm), and/or spectral changes. To elucidate the nature of the observed
variations, further monitoring of the Vela PWN is needed.Comment: 7 pages (incl. 3 embedded PS figures), AASTEX, uses emulateapj5.sty.
Submitted to ApJ Lett. For a high-resolution color PS image of Figure 3 (6.3
Mby), see http://www.astro.psu.edu/users/divas/velaneb_fig3.p
A spectroscopic study of the hybrid pulsator Gamma Pegasi
The recent detection of both pressure and high-order gravity modes in the
classical B-type pulsator Gamma Pegasi offers promising prospects for probing
its internal structure through seismic studies. To aid further modelling of
this star, we present the results of a detailed NLTE abundance analysis based
on a large number of time-resolved, high-quality spectra. A chemical
composition typical of nearby B-type stars is found. The hybrid nature of this
star is consistent with its location in the overlapping region of the
instability strips for beta Cephei and slowly pulsating B stars computed using
OP opacity tables, although OPAL calculations may also be compatible with the
observations once the uncertainties in the stellar parameters and the current
limitations of the stability calculations are taken into account. The two known
frequencies f1 = 6.58974 and f2 = 0.68241 c/d are detected in the spectroscopic
time series. A mode identification is attempted for the low-frequency signal,
which can be associated to a high-order g -mode. Finally, we re-assess the
binary status of Gamma Peg and find no evidence for variations that can be
ascribed to orbital motion, contrary to previous claims in the literature.Comment: 28 pages, 16 figure
X-ray Spectrum and Pulsations of the Vela Pulsar
We report the results of the spectral and timing analysis of observations of
the Vela pulsar with the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The spectrum shows no
statistically significant spectral lines in the observed 0.25--8.0 keV band. It
consists of two distinct continuum components. The softer component can be
modeled as either a magnetic hydrogen atmosphere spectrum with kT = 59 +- 3 eV,
R = 15.5 +- 1.5 km, or a standard blackbody with kT = 129 +- 4 eV, R = 2.1 +-
0.2 km (the radii are for a distance of 250 pc). The harder component, modeled
as a power-law spectrum, gives photon indices depending on the model adopted
for the soft component: gamma = 1.5 +- 0.3 for the magnetic atmosphere soft
component, and gamma = 2.7 +- 0.4 for the blackbody soft component. Timing
analysis shows three peaks in the pulse profile, separated by about 0.3 in
phase. Energy-resolved timing provides evidence for pulse profile variation
with energy. The higher energy (E > 1.8 keV) profile shows significantly higher
pulsed fraction.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, To appear in "Neutron Stars in Supernova
Remnants" (ASP Conference Proceedings), eds P. O. Slane and B. M. Gaensler
Corrected TYPO
The Compact Central Object in Cas A: A Neutron Star with Hot Polar Caps or a Black Hole?
The central pointlike X-ray source of the Cas A supernova remnant was
discovered in the Chandra First Light Observation and found later in the
archival ROSAT and Einstein images. The analysis of these data does not show
statistically significant variability of the source. The power-law fit yields
the photon index 2.6-4.1, and luminosity (2-60)e34 erg/s, for d=3.4 kpc. The
power-law index is higher, and the luminosity lower, than those observed
fromvery young pulsars. One can fit the spectrum equally well with a blackbody
model with T=6-8 MK, R=0.2-0.5 km, L=(1.4-1.9)e33 erg/s. The inferred radii are
too small, and the temperatures too high, for the radiationcould be interpreted
as emitted from the whole surface of a uniformly heated neutron star. Fits with
the neutron star atmosphere models increase the radius and reduce the
temperature, but these parameters are still substantially different from those
expected for a young neutron star. One cannot exclude, however, that the
observed emission originates from hot spots on a cooler neutron star surface.
Because of strong interstellar absorption, the possible low-temperature
component gives a small contribution to the observed spectrum; an upper limit
on the (gravitationally redshifted) surface temperature is < 1.9-2.3 MK.
Amongst several possible interpretations, we favor a model of a strongly
magnetized neutron star with magnetically confined hydrogen or helium polar
caps on a cooler iron surface. Alternatively, the observed radiation may be
interpreted as emitted by a compact object (more likely, a black hole)
accreting from a fossil disk or from a late-type dwarf in a close binary.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, submitted to ApJ
Chandra Observations of 1RXS J141256.0+792204 (Calvera)
We report the results of a 30 ks Chandra ACIS-S observation of the isolated
compact object 1RXS J141256.0+792204 (Calvera). The X-ray spectrum is
adequately described by an absorbed neutron star hydrogen atmosphere model with
an effective temperature at infinity of 88.3 +/- 0.8 eV and radiation radius at
infinity of 4.1 +/- 0.1 km/kpc. The best-fit blackbody spectrum yields
parameters consistent with previous measurements; although the fit itself is
not statistically acceptable, systematic uncertainties in the pile-up
correction may contribute to this. We find marginal evidence for narrow
spectral features in the X-ray spectrum between 0.3 and 1.0 keV. In one
interpretation, we find evidence at 81%-confidence for an absorption edge at
0.64 (+0.08) (-0.06) keV with an equivalent width of ~70 eV; if this feature is
real, it is reminiscent of features seen in the isolated neutron stars RX
J1605.3+3249, RX J0720.4-3125, and 1RXS J130848.6+212708 (RBS 1223). In an
alternative approach, we find evidence at 88%-confidence for an unresolved
emission line at energy 0.53 +/- 0.02 keV, with an equivalent width of ~28 eV;
the interpretation of this feature, if real, is uncertain. We search for
coherent pulsations up to the Nyquist frequency of 1.13 Hz and set an upper
limit of 8.0% rms on the strength of any such modulation. We derive an improved
position for the source and set the most rigorous limits to-date on any
associated extended emission on arcsecond scales. Our analysis confirms the
basic picture of Calvera as the first isolated compact object in the
ROSAT/Bright Source Catalog discovered in six years, the hottest such object
known, and an intriguing target for multiwavelength study.Comment: Submitted to ApJ. AASTeX, 19 pages, 2 figure
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