463 research outputs found
The Luminosity and Mass Function of the Globular Cluster NGC1261
I-band CCD images of two large regions of the Galactic globular cluster NGC
1261 have been used to construct stellar luminosity functions (LF) for 14000
stars in three annuli from 1.4' from the cluster center to the tidal radius.
The LFs extend to M_I~8 and tend to steepen from the inner to the outer
annulus, in agreement with the predictions of the multimass King-Michie model
that we have calculated for this cluster. The LFs have been transformed into
mass functions. Once corrected for mass segregation the global mass function of
NGC 1261 has a slope x_0=0.8+/-0.5Comment: 9 pages, A&A macros, accepted for publication in A&
Pre-MS depletion, accretion and primordial 7Li
We reconsider the role of pre-main sequence (pre-MS) Li depletion on the
basis of new observational and theoretical evidence: i) new observations of
Halpha emissions in young clusters show that mass accretion could be continuing
till the first stages of the MS, ii) theoretical implications from
helioseismology suggest large overshooting values below the bottom of the
convective envelopes. We argue here that a significant pre-MS 7Li destruction,
caused by efficient overshoot mixing, could be followed by a matter accretion
after 7Li depletion has ceased on MS thus restoring Li almost to the pristine
value. As a test case we show that a halo dwarf of 0.85 Msun with an extended
overshooting envelope starting with an initial abundance of A(Li) = 2.74 would
burn Li completely, but an accretion rate of the type 1e-8xe^{-t/3e6} Msun
yr would restore Li to end with an A(Li) = 2.31. A self-regulating
process is required to produce similar final values in a range of different
stellar masses to explain the PopII Spite plateau. However, this framework
could explain why open cluster stars have lower Li abundances than the
pre-solar nebula, the absence of Li in the most metal poor dwarfs and a number
of other features which lack of a satisfactory explanation.Comment: To be published in Memorie della Societ\`a Astronomica Italiana
Supplementi Vol. 22, Proceedings of Lithium in the cosmos, Iocco F.,
Bonifacio P., Vangioni E., ed
Structure and kinematics of the peculiar galaxy NGC 128
This is a multiband photometric and spectroscopic study of the peculiar S0
galaxy NGC128. We present results from broad (B and R) and narrow band optical
CCD photometry, near (NIR) and far (FIR) infrared observations, long slit
spectroscopy, and Fabry-Perot interferometry (CIGALE). The peculiar peanut
shape morphology of the galaxy is observed both at optical and near-infrared
wavelengths. The stellar disk is thick and distorted (arc-bended), with a color
asymmetry along the major axis due to the presence of a large amount of dust,
estimated through NIR and FIR data of ~6x10^6 M_sun, in the region of
interaction with the companion galaxy NGC127. The color maps are nearly uniform
over the whole galaxy, but for the major axis asymmetry, and a small gradient
toward the center indicating the presence of a redder disk-like component. The
H_alpha image indeed reveals the existence of a tilted gaseous ``disk'' around
the center, oriented with the major axis toward the companion galaxy NGC127.
Long slit and CIGALE data confirm the presence of gas in a disk-like component
counter-rotating and inclined approximately of 50 deg. to the line of sight.
The mass of the gas disk in the inner region is ~2.7x10^4 M_sun. The stellar
velocity field is cylindrical up to the last measured points of the derived
rotation curves, while the velocity dispersion profiles are typical for an S0
galaxy, but for an extended constant behaviour along the minor axis.Comment: accepted for pubblication in A&A Supp
Deep infrared observations of the puzzling central X-ray source in RCW103
1E 161348-5055 (1E 1613) is a point-like, soft X-ray source originally
identified as a radio-quiet, isolated neutron star, shining at the center of
the 2000 yr old supernova remnant RCW103. 1E 1613 features a puzzling 6.67 hour
periodicity as well as a dramatic variability over a time scale of few years.
Such a temporal behavior, coupled to the young age and to the lack of an
obvious optical counterpart, makes 1E 1613 a unique source among all compact
objects associated to SNRs. It could either be the first low-mass X-ray binary
system discovered inside a SNR, or a peculiar isolated magnetar with an
extremely slow spin period. Analysis of archival IR observations, performed in
2001 with the VLT/ISAAC instrument, and in 2002 with the NICMOS camera onboard
HST unveils a very crowded field. A few sources are positionally consistent
with the refined X-ray error region that we derived from the analysis of 13
Chandra observations. To shed light on the nature of 1E 1613, we have performed
deep IR observations of the field with the NACO instrument at the ESO/VLT,
searching for variability. We find no compelling reasons to associate any of
the candidates to 1E 1613. On one side, within the frame of the binary system
model for the X-ray source, it is very unlikely that one of the candidates be a
low-mass companion star to 1E 1613. On the other side, if the X-ray source is
an isolated magnetar surrounded by a fallback disc, we cannot exclude that the
IR counterpart be hidden among the candidates. If none of the potential
counterparts is linked to the X-ray source, 1E 1613 would remain undetected in
the IR down to Ks>22.1. Such an upper limit is consistent only with an
extremely low-mass star (an M6-M8 dwarf) at the position of 1E 1613, and makes
rather problematic the interpretation of 1E 1613 as an accreting binary system.Comment: 26 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in Ap
Color and Variability Characteristics of Point Sources in the Faint Sky Variability Survey
We present an analysis of the color and variability characteristics for point
sources in the Faint Sky Variability Survey (FSVS). The FSVS cataloged ~23
square degrees in BVI filters from ~16--24 mag to investigate variability in
faint sources at moderate to high Galactic latitudes. Point source completeness
is found to be >83% for a selected representative sample (V=17.5--22.0 mag,
B-V=0.0--1.5) containing both photometric B, V detections and 80% of the
time-sampled V data available compared to a basic internal source completeness
of 99%. Multi-epoch (10--30) observations in V spanning minutes to years
modeled by light curve simulations reveal amplitude sensitivities to
0.015--0.075 mag over a representative V=18--22 mag range. Periodicity
determinations appear viable to time-scales of an order 1 day or less using the
most sampled fields (~30 epochs). The fraction of point sources is found to be
generally variable at 5--8% over V=17.5--22.0 mag. For V brighter than 19 mag,
the variable population is dominated by low amplitude (<0.05 mag) and blue
(B-V<0.35) sources, possibly representing a population of gamma Doradus stars.
Overall, the dominant population of variable sources are bluer than B-V=0.65
and have Main Sequence colors, likely reflecting larger populations of RR
Lyrae, SX Phe, gamma Doradus, and W UMa variables.Comment: 34 pages, 16 figures, accepted in A
The Stellar Distribution of the Globular Cluster M55
We have used extensive V, I photometry (down to V=20.9) of 33615 stars in the
direction of the globular cluster M55 to study the dynamical interaction of
this cluster with the tidal fields of the Galaxy. An entire quadrant of the
cluster has been covered, out to ~2.0 times the tidal radius. A CMD down to
about 4 magnitudes below the turn-off is presented and analysed. A large
population of BS has been identified. The BS are significantly more
concentrated in the inner 300 arcsec, while they become less concentrated in
the cluster envelope. We have obtained luminosity functions at various radial
intervals from the center and their corresponding mass functions. Both clearly
show the presence of mass segregation inside the cluster. A dynamical analysis
shows that the observed mass segregation is compatible with what is predicted
by multi-mass King-Michie models. The global mass function is very flat with a
power-law slope of x=-1.0+/-0.4. This suggest that M55 might have suffered
selective losses of stars, caused by tidal interactions with the Galactic disk
and bulge. The radial density profile of M55 out to ~2.0 r_t suggests the
presence of extra-tidal stars whose nature could be connected with the cluster.Comment: To be published in A&A. 15 pages, A&A new Latex 2e macros. Paper also
available at http://oacosf.na.astro.it/zaggia/zaggia.htm
Absolute motions of globular clusters. II. [HST astrometry and VLT radial velocities in NGC6397]
In this paper we present a new, accurate determination of the three
components of the absolute space velocity of the Galactic globular cluster
NGC6397 (l 338d, b -12d). We used three HST/WFPC2 fields with multi-epoch
observations to obtain astrometric measurements of objects in three different
fields in this cluster. The identification of 33 background galaxies with sharp
nuclei allowed us to determine an absolute reference point and measure the
absolute proper motion of the cluster. The third component has been obtained
from radial velocities measured on spectra from the multi-fiber spectrograph
FLAMES at UT2-VLT. We find [mu_alpha cos(delta), mu_delta](J2000.0) = [+3.39
+/- 0.15, -17.55 +/- 0.15] mas/yr, and V_rad = +18.36 +/- 0.09 (+/-0.10) km/s.
Assuming a Galactic potential, we calculate the cluster orbit for various
assumed distances, and briefly discuss the implications.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, 4 tables. Accepted for publication in A&A, on
April 27 200
- âŠ