18,515 research outputs found
Brown dwarfs in the Hyades and beyond?
We have used both the Low-Resolution Imaging Spectrograph and the HIRES
echelle spectrograph on the Keck telescopes to obtain spectra of twelve
candidate members of the Hyades cluster identified by Leggett and Hawkins
(1988, 1989). All of the objects are chromospherically-active, late-type
M-dwarfs, with H equivalent widths varying from 1 to 30\AA. Based on
our measured radial velocities, the level of stellar activity and other
spectroscopic features, only one of the twelve stars has properties consistent
with cluster membership. We consider how this result affects estimates of the
luminosity and mass function of the Hyades cluster. Five of the eleven field
stars have weak K I 7665/7699\AA and CaH absorption as compared with M-dwarf
standards of the same spectral type, suggesting a lower surface gravity. Two of
these sources, LH0416+14 and LH0419+15, exhibit significant lithium 6708 \AA
absorption. Based partly on parallax measurements by the US Naval Observatory
(Harris et al, 1998), we identify all five as likely to be young, pre-main
sequence objects in or near the Taurus-Auriga association at distances of
between 150 and 250 parsecs. A comparison with theoretical models of pre-main
sequence stars indicates masses of less than 0.05 M.Comment: to appear in AJ, January 1999; 34 pages, (Latex format), including 10
embedded postscript figures and two table
An unusual pi* shape resonance in the near-threshold photoionization of S(1) para-difluorobenzene
Previously reported dramatic changes in photoelectron angular distributions (PADs) as a function of photoelectron kinetic energy following the ionization of S1 p-difluorobenzene are shown to be explained by a shape resonance in the b(2g) symmetry continuum. The characteristics of this resonance are clearly demonstrated by a theoretical multiple-scattering treatment of the photoionization dynamics. New experimental data are presented which demonstrate an apparent insensitivity of the PADs to both vibrational motion and prepared molecular alignment, however, the calculations suggest that strong alignment effects may nevertheless be recognized in the detail of the comparison with experimental data. The apparent, but unexpected, indifference to vibrational excitation is rationalized by considering the nature of the resonance. The correlation of this shape resonance in the continuum with a virtual pi* antibonding orbital is considered. Because this orbital is characteristic of the benzene ring, the existence of similar resonances in related substituted benzenes is discussed.Bellm, SM: Davies, JA: Whiteside, PT; Guo, J: Powis, I; and Reid KL
The Radio Spectrum of TVLM513-46546: Constraints on the Coronal Properties of a Late M Dwarf
We explore the radio emission from the M9 dwarf, TVLM513-46546, at multiple
radio frequencies, determining the flux spectrum of persistent radio emission,
as well as constraining the levels of circular polarization. Detections at both
3.6 and 6 cm provide spectral index measurement (where S) of . A detection at 20 cm suggests that the
spectral peak is between 1.4 and 5 GHz. The most stringent upper limits on
circular polarization are at 3.6 and 6 cm, with 15%. These
characteristics agree well with those of typical parameters for early to mid M
dwarfs, confirming that magnetic activity is present at levels comparable with
those extrapolated from earlier M dwarfs. We apply analytic models to
investigate the coronal properties under simple assumptions of dipole magnetic
field geometry and radially varying nonthermal electron density distributions.
Requiring the spectrum to be optically thin at frequencies higher than 5 GHz
and reproducing the observed 3.6 cm fluxes constrains the magnetic field at the
base to be less than about 500 G. There is no statistically significant
periodicity in the 3.6 cm light curve, but it is consistent with low-level
variability.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical
Journa
Low-mass spectroscopic binaries in the Hyades: a candidate brown dwarf companion
We have used the HIRES echelle spectrograph in the Keck I telescope to obtain
high-resolution spectroscopy of 51 late-type M dwarfs in the Hyades cluster.
Cross-correlating the calibrated data against spectra of white dwarfs allows us
to determine heliocentric velocities with an accuracy of +/- 0.3 km/s. Twenty
seven stars were observed at two epochs in 1997; two stars, RHy 42 and RHy 403,
are confirmed spectroscopic binaries. RHY 42 is a double-lined, equal-mass
system; RHy 403 is a single-lined, short-period binary, P ~ 1.275 days. RHy
403A has an absolute magnitude of M_I = 10.85, consistent with a mass of 0.15
M(Sun). The systemic mass function has a value of 0.0085, which, combined with
the non-detection of a secondary peak in the cross-correlation function,
implies 0.095 > M_2 > 0.06 M (Sun), and the strong possibility that the
companion is the first Hyades brown dwarf to be identified. Unfortunately, the
maximum expected angular separation in the system is only 0.25 mas. Five other
low-mass Hyads are identified as possible spectroscopic binaries, based either
on repeat observations or comparison between the observed radial velocity and
the value expected for Hyades cluster members. Combined with HST imaging data,
we infer a binary fraction between 23 and 30 . All of the stars are
chromospherically active. RHy 281 was caught in mid-flare and, based on that
detection, we estimate a flaring frequency of 2.5% for low-mass Hyades stars.
Nine stars have rotational velocities, v sin(i), exceeding 20 km/s and most of
the sample have detectable rotation. We examine the H-alpha emission
characteristics of low-mass cluster members and show that there is no evidence
for a correlation with rotation.Comment: accepted for MNRAS, 10 figures & 8 tables embedded in tex
Forever Young: High Chromospheric Activity in M subdwarfs
We present spectroscopic observations of two halo M subdwarfs which have H
alpha emission lines. We show that in both cases close companions are the most
likely cause of the chromospheric activity in these old, metal-poor stars. We
argue that Gl 781 A's unseen companion is most likely a cool helium white
dwarf. Gl 455 is a near-equal-mass M subdwarf (sdM) system. Gl 781 A is rapidly
rotating with v sin i = 30 km/s. The properties of the chromospheres and X-ray
coronae of these systems are compared to M dwarfs with emission (dMe). The
X-ray hardness ratios and optical chromospheric lines emission ratios are
consistent with those seen in dMe stars. Comparison to active near-solar
metallicity stars indicates that despite their low metallicity ([m/H] = -1/2),
the sdMe stars are roughly as active in both X-rays and chromospheric emission.
Measured by L_X/L_bol, the activity level of Gl 781 A is no more than a factor
of 2.5 subluminous with respect to near-solar metallicity stars.Comment: 16 pages including 1 figure, AASTeX, to appear in May 1998 A.
Isolation and characterisation of 17 microsatellite loci for the red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax)
Peer reviewedPostprin
Bell inequalities for continuous-variable correlations
We derive a new class of correlation Bell-type inequalities. The inequalities
are valid for any number of outcomes of two observables per each of n parties,
including continuous and unbounded observables. We show that there are no
first-moment correlation Bell inequalities for that scenario, but such
inequalities can be found if one considers at least second moments. The
derivation stems from a simple variance inequality by setting local commutators
to zero. We show that above a constant detector efficiency threshold, the
continuous variable Bell violation can survive even in the macroscopic limit of
large n. This method can be used to derive other well-known Bell inequalities,
shedding new light on the importance of non-commutativity for violations of
local realism.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure. v2: New results on detector efficiencies and
macroscopic limit, new co-author, changed title and abstract, changed figure,
added journal reference and DO
Symmetries of Differential Equations via Cartan's Method of Equivalence
We formulate a method of computing invariant 1-forms and structure equations
of symmetry pseudo-groups of differential equations based on Cartan's method of
equivalence and the moving coframe method introduced by Fels and Olver. Our
apparoach does not require a preliminary computation of infinitesimal defining
systems, their analysis and integration, and uses differentiation and linear
algebra operations only. Examples of its applications are given.Comment: 15 pages, LaTeX 2.0
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