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Lifting the Iron Curtain: Toward an Understanding of the Iron Stars XX Oph and AS 325
We present new optical, near-infrared, and archival ultravioletobservations of XX Ophiuchi and AS 325, two proposed ``iron'' stars.These unusual stars have optical spectra dominated by emission linesarising from hydrogen, as well as ionized metals such as iron, chromium,and titanium. Both stars have been classified as ``iron'' stars, and anumber of exotic models have been presented for their origin. Using 2years of moderately high resolution optical spectroscopy, the first highsignal-to-noise ratio K-band spectroscopy of these sources (whichreveals stellar photospheric absorption lines), and new near-infraredinterferometric observations, we confirm that both systems are composedof two stars, likely binaries, containing a hot Be star with an evolvedlate-type secondary. The hydrogen emission features arise in the hotwind from the Be star, while the corresponding P-Cygni absorption linesare produced from dense material in the expanding, radiation-driven windaround each system. The optical Fe II emission lines are pumped byultraviolet Fe II absorption lines through fluorescence. Contrary tosome claims in the literature, the spectral features of XX Oph and AS325 are quite similar, evidence that they are comparable systems. Weexamine the variability of the spectral morphology and radial velocitymotions of both sources. We also study the variability of XX Oph duringa major photometric event and find that the spectral nature of thesystem varies during the event. A comparison of the velocity of theabsorption-line components in our new spectra with those in theliterature show that the structure of the stellar wind from XX Oph haschanged since the system was observed in 1951.
| Infrared Colors and Variability of Evolved Stars from COBE DIRBE Data
For a complete 12 μm flux-limited sample of 207 IRAS sources(F12>=150 Jy, |b|>=5deg), the majority ofwhich are AGB stars (~87%), we have extracted light curves in seveninfrared bands between 1.25 and 60 μm using the database of theDiffuse Infrared Background Experiment (DIRBE) instrument on the CosmicBackground Explorer (COBE) satellite. Using previous infrared surveys,we filtered these light curves to remove data points affected by nearbycompanions and obtained time-averaged flux densities and infraredcolors, as well as estimates of their variability at each wavelength. Inthe time-averaged DIRBE color-color plots, we find clear segregation ofsemiregulars, Mira variables, carbon stars, OH/IR stars, and red giantswithout circumstellar dust (i.e., V-[12]<5) and with little or novisual variation (ΔV<0.1 mag). The DIRBE 1.25-25 μm colorsbecome progressively redder and the variability in the DIRBE databaseincreases along the oxygen-rich sequence nondusty slightly varying redgiants-->SRb/Lb-->SRa-->Mira-->OH/IR and the carbon-richSRb/Lb-->Mira sequence. This supports previous assertions that theseare evolutionary sequences involving the continued production andejection of dust. The carbon stars are redder than their oxygen-richcounterparts for the same variability type, except in theF12/F25 ratio, where they are bluer. Of the 28sources in the sample not previous noted to be variable, 18 are clearlyvariable in the DIRBE data, with amplitudes of variation of ~0.9 mag at4.9 μm and ~0.6 mag at 12 μm, consistent with them being verydusty Mira-like variables. We also present individual DIRBE light curvesof a few selected stars. The DIRBE light curves of the semiregularvariable L2 Pup are particularly remarkable. The maxima at1.25, 2.2, and 3.5 μm occur 10-20 days before those at 4.9 and 12μm, and, at 4.9 and 12 μm, another maximum is seen between the twonear-infrared maxima.
| ``Thermal'' SiO radio line emission towards M-type AGB stars: A probe of circumstellar dust formation and dynamics
An extensive radiative transfer analysis of circumstellar SiO``thermal'' radio line emission from a large sample of M-type AGB starshas been performed. The sample contains 18 irregulars of type Lb (IRV),7 and 34 semiregulars of type SRa and SRb (SRV), respectively, and 12Miras. New observational data, which contain spectra of several groundvibrational state SiO rotational lines, are presented. The detectionrate was about 60% (44% for the IRVs, and 68% for the SRVs). SiOfractional abundances have been determined through radiative transfermodelling. The abundance distribution of the IRV/SRV sample has a medianvalue of 6*E-6, and a minimum of 2*E-6 and amaximum of 5*E-5. The high mass-loss rate Miras have a muchlower median abundance, la 10-6. The derived SiO abundancesare in all cases well below the abundance expected from stellaratmosphere equilibrium chemistry, on average by a factor of ten. Inaddition, there is a trend of decreasing SiO abundance with increasingmass-loss rate. This is interpreted in terms of depletion of SiOmolecules by the formation of silicate grains in the circumstellarenvelopes, with an efficiency which is high already at low mass-lossrates and which increases with the mass-loss rate. The high mass-lossrate Miras appear to have a bimodal SiO abundance distribution, a lowabundance group (on average 4*E-7) and a high abundance group(on average 5*E-6). The estimated SiO envelope sizes agreewell with the estimated SiO photodissociation radii using an unshieldedphotodissociation rate of 2.5*E-10 s-1. The SiOand CO radio line profiles differ in shape. In general, the SiO lineprofiles are narrower than the CO line profiles, but they havelow-intensity wings which cover the full velocity range of the CO lineprofile. This is interpreted as partly an effect of selfabsorption inthe SiO lines, and partly (as has been done also by others) as due tothe influence of gas acceleration in the region which produces asignificant fraction of the SiO line emission. Finally, a number ofsources which have peculiar CO line profiles are discussed from thepoint of view of their SiO line properties.Based on observations using the SEST at La Silla, Chile, the 20 mtelescope at Onsala Space Observatory, Sweden, the JCMT on Hawaii, andthe IRAM 30 m telescope at Pico Veleta, Spain.
| Reprocessing the Hipparcos data of evolved stars. III. Revised Hipparcos period-luminosity relationship for galactic long-period variable stars
We analyze the K band luminosities of a sample of galactic long-periodvariables using parallaxes measured by the Hipparcos mission. Theparallaxes are in most cases re-computed from the Hipparcos IntermediateAstrometric Data using improved astrometric fits and chromaticitycorrections. The K band magnitudes are taken from the literature andfrom measurements by COBE, and are corrected for interstellar andcircumstellar extinction. The sample contains stars of several spectraltypes: M, S and C, and of several variability classes: Mira, semiregularSRa, and SRb. We find that the distribution of stars in theperiod-luminosity plane is independent of circumstellar chemistry, butthat the different variability types have different P-L distributions.Both the Mira variables and the SRb variables have reasonablywell-defined period-luminosity relationships, but with very differentslopes. The SRa variables are distributed between the two classes,suggesting that they are a mixture of Miras and SRb, rather than aseparate class of stars. New period-luminosity relationships are derivedbased on our revised Hipparcos parallaxes. The Miras show a similarperiod-luminosity relationship to that found for Large Magellanic CloudMiras by Feast et al. (\cite{Feast-1989:a}). The maximum absolute Kmagnitude of the sample is about -8.2 for both Miras and semi-regularstars, only slightly fainter than the expected AGB limit. We show thatthe stars with the longest periods (P>400 d) have high mass lossrates and are almost all Mira variables.Based on observations from the Hipparcos astrometric satellite operatedby the European Space Agency (ESA \cite{Hipparcos}).Table \ref{Tab:data1} is only available in electronic form at the CDSvia anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/403/993
| Hipparcos red stars in the HpV_T2 and V I_C systems
For Hipparcos M, S, and C spectral type stars, we provide calibratedinstantaneous (epoch) Cousins V - I color indices using newly derivedHpV_T2 photometry. Three new sets of ground-based Cousins V I data havebeen obtained for more than 170 carbon and red M giants. These datasetsin combination with the published sources of V I photometry served toobtain the calibration curves linking Hipparcos/Tycho Hp-V_T2 with theCousins V - I index. In total, 321 carbon stars and 4464 M- and S-typestars have new V - I indices. The standard error of the mean V - I isabout 0.1 mag or better down to Hp~9 although it deteriorates rapidly atfainter magnitudes. These V - I indices can be used to verify thepublished Hipparcos V - I color indices. Thus, we have identified ahandful of new cases where, instead of the real target, a random fieldstar has been observed. A considerable fraction of the DMSA/C and DMSA/Vsolutions for red stars appear not to be warranted. Most likely suchspurious solutions may originate from usage of a heavily biased color inthe astrometric processing.Based on observations from the Hipparcos astrometric satellite operatedby the European Space Agency (ESA 1997).}\fnmsep\thanks{Table 7 is onlyavailable 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/qcat?J/A+A/397/997
| 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.
| Mass loss rates of a sample of irregular and semiregular M-type AGB-variables
We have determined mass loss rates and gas expansion velocities for asample of 69 M-type irregular (IRV 22 objects) and semiregular (SRV; 47objects) AGB-variables using a radiative transfer code to model theircircumstellar CO radio line emission. We believe that this sample isrepresentative for the mass losing stars of this type. The (molecularhydrogen) mass loss rate distribution has a median value of 2.0 x10-7 Msun yr-1, and a minimum of 2.0 x10-8 Msun yr-1 and a maximum of 8 x10-7 Msun yr-1. M-type IRVs and SRVswith a mass loss rate in excess of 5 x 10-7 Msunyr-1 must be very rare, and among these mass losing stars thenumber of sources with mass loss rates below a few 10-8Msun yr-1 must be small. We find no significantdifference between the IRVs and the SRVs in terms of their mass losscharacteristics. Among the SRVs the mass loss rate shows no dependenceon the period. Likewise the mass loss rate shows no correlation with thestellar temperature. The gas expansion velocity distribution has amedian of 7.0 km s-1, and a minimum of 2.2 km s-1and a maximum of 14.4 km s-1. No doubt, these objects samplethe low gas expansion velocity end of AGB winds. The fraction of objectswith low gas expansion velocities is very high, about 30% havevelocities lower than 5 km s-1, and there are objects withvelocities lower than 3 km s-1: V584 Aql,T Ari, BI Car, RXLac, and L2 Pup. The mass loss rate and thegas expansion velocity correlate well, a result in line with theoreticalpredictions for an optically thin, dust-driven wind. In general, themodel produces line profiles which acceptably fit the observed ones. Anexceptional case is R Dor, where the high-quality,observed line profiles are essentially flat-topped, while the model onesare sharply double-peaked. The sample contains four sources withdistinctly double-component CO line profiles, i.e., a narrow featurecentered on a broader feature: EP Aqr, RVBoo, X Her, and SV Psc.We have modelled the two components separately for each star and derivemass loss rates and gas expansion velocities. We have compared theresults of this M-star sample with a similar C-star sample analysed inthe same way. The mass loss rate characteristics are very similar forthe two samples. On the contrary, the gas expansion velocitydistributions are clearly different. In particular, the number oflow-velocity sources is much higher in the M-star sample. We found noexample of the sharply double-peaked CO line profile, which is evidenceof a large, detached CO-shell, among the M-stars. About 10% of theC-stars show this phenomenon.
| A multi-epoch spectrophotometric atlas of symbiotic stars
A multi-epoch, absolute-fluxed spectral atlas extending from about 3200to 9000 Å is presented for 130 symbiotic stars, including membersof the LMC, SMC and Draco dwarf galaxies. The fluxes are accurate tobetter than 5% as shown by comparison with Tycho and ground-basedphotometric data. The spectra of 40 reference objects (MKK cool giantstandards, Mira and Carbon stars, planetary nebulae, white dwarfs, hotsub-dwarfs, Wolf-Rayet stars, classical novae, VV Cep and Herbig Ae/Beobjects) are provided to assist the interpretation of symbiotic starspectra. Astrometric positions and counterparts in astrometriccatalogues are derived for all program symbiotic stars. The spectra areavailable in electronic form from the authors. Based on observationscollected with the telescopes of the European Southern Observatory (ESO,Chile) and of the Padova & Asiago Astronomical Observatories(Italy). Tables 2 and 3 are only available in electronic form (a) at theCDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/383/188, and (b) from thepersonal home page http://ulisse.pd.astro.it/symbio_atlas/ Figures 4-256are only available in electronic form (a) at http://www.edpsciences.organd (b) from the personal home pagehttp://ulisse.pd.astro.it/symbio_atlas/
| Stars with the Largest Hipparcos Photometric Amplitudes
A list of the 2027 stars that have the largest photometric amplitudes inHipparcos Photometry shows that most variable stars are all Miras. Thepercentage of variable types change as a function of amplitude. Thiscompilation should also be of value to photometrists looking forrelatively unstudied, but large amplitude stars.
| Long period variable stars: galactic populations and infrared luminosity calibrations
In this paper HIPPARCOS astrometric and kinematic data are used tocalibrate both infrared luminosities and kinematical parameters of LongPeriod Variable stars (LPVs). Individual absolute K and IRAS 12 and 25luminosities of 800 LPVs are determined and made available in electronicform. The estimated mean kinematics is analyzed in terms of galacticpopulations. LPVs are found to belong to galactic populations rangingfrom the thin disk to the extended disk. An age range and a lower limitof the initial mass is given for stars of each population. A differenceof 1.3 mag in K for the upper limit of the Asymptotic Giant Branch isfound between the disk and old disk galactic populations, confirming itsdependence on the mass in the main sequence. LPVs with a thin envelopeare distinguished using the estimated mean IRAS luminosities. The levelof attraction (in the classification sense) of each group for the usualclassifying parameters of LPVs (variability and spectral types) isexamined. Table only available in electronic form at the CDS viaanonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/374/968 or via ASTRIDdatabase (http://astrid.graal.univ-montp2.fr).
| On the Variability of K5-M Stars
I investigate the Hipparcos Satellite photometry of K5-M stars to seethe pattern of activity of these stars. A few stars for which furtherstudy is desirable are identified.
| Circumstellar shells of the mass-losing asymptotic giant branch stars: limits for the dust-driven winds.
Not Available
| Period-Luminosity-Colour distribution and classification of Galactic oxygen-rich LPVs. I. Luminosity calibrations
The absolute K magnitudes and kinematic parameters of about 350oxygen-rich Long-Period Variable stars are calibrated, by means of anup-to-date maximum-likelihood method, using Hipparcos parallaxes andproper motions together with radial velocities and, as additional data,periods and V-K colour indices. Four groups, differing by theirkinematics and mean magnitudes, are found. For each of them, we alsoobtain the distributions of magnitude, period and de-reddened colour ofthe base population, as well as de-biased period-luminosity-colourrelations and their two-dimensional projections. The SRa semiregulars donot seem to constitute a separate class of LPVs. The SRb appear tobelong to two populations of different ages. In a PL diagram, theyconstitute two evolutionary sequences towards the Mira stage. The Mirasof the disk appear to pulsate on a lower-order mode. The slopes of theirde-biased PL and PC relations are found to be very different from theones of the Oxygen Miras of the LMC. This suggests that a significantnumber of so-called Miras of the LMC are misclassified. This alsosuggests that the Miras of the LMC do not constitute a homogeneousgroup, but include a significant proportion of metal-deficient stars,suggesting a relatively smooth star formation history. As a consequence,one may not trivially transpose the LMC period-luminosity relation fromone galaxy to the other Based on data from the Hipparcos astrometrysatellite. Appendix B is only available in electronic form at the CDSvia anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html
| Oxygen-rich semiregular and irregular variables. A catalogue of circumstellar CO observations
Using the SEST, the Onsala 20 m telescope, the JCMT, and the IRAM 30 mtelescope we have carried out a survey of circumstellar CO(J=1-0, 2-1,3-2, and 4-3) emission on a large sample of oxygen-rich semiregular (SRaand SRb) and irregular variables (Lb). A total of 109 stars wereobserved in at least one CO line: 66 were shown to have circumstellar COline emission (7 SRa, 36 SRb, and 23 Lb variables), ~ 60% of thesemiregulars and all but one of the irregulars were detected for thefirst time. Most stars were observed in at least two transitions. Thereis a total of 138 detected CO lines. For twelve stars stronginterference from interstellar CO emission precluded detection. Wepresent here a catalogue of all observational data and the spectra ofall detections, as well as brief discussions on detection statistics(including its dependence on variability type, period, IRAS-colour, IRASLRS-class, and M-subclass), line profiles (including line shapeasymmetry, multi-component line shapes, and line intensity ratios), gasexpansion velocity distributions, and correlations between CO line andIR continuum fluxes (including implications for the mass-lossmechanism). Based on observations collected using at the EuropeanSouthern Observatory, La Silla, Chile, the Onsala Space Observatory,Chalmers Tekniska Högskola, Sweden, the James Clerk MaxwellTelescope, Hawaii and the IRAM 30~m telescope, Pico Veleta, Spain.
| A search for Technetium in semiregular variables
We searched for the lines of Tc in the spectra of Semiregular variables(SRVs) in the wavelength region from 4180 to 4300 Å using highresolution spectroscopy. Tc as an s-process element is produced on thethermally pulsing AGB and is therefore a good indicator for theevolutionary status of Semiregular variables. Combining our results withprevious investigations we get a database large enough for a statisticalstudy. Tc is not found in SRVs with periods below 100 days, spectraltypes earlier than M5 and photospheric IRAS colours. These objects are`blue' SRVs in the classification system of Kerschbaum & Hron(\cite{KH94}). Among the `red' SRVs (periods longer than 100 days) thefraction of stars showing Tc in their spectra is about 15 % with aprobably lower fraction among the stars with periods above 150 days.This is significantly lower than for the typical Miras. Taking intoaccount the probable conditions for the occurence of the third dredge-upand the expected behavior of the Tc abundance along an evolutionarytrack on the AGB, our results support an evolutionary scenario from`blue' SRVs (early AGB) to `red' SRVs (early TP-AGB) and on to longperiod Miras. Only the most massive (masses above 2M_ȯ) stars showTc during the SRV stage. The luminosities of the Tc-rich SRVs and Mirasare compatible with theoretical estimates of the minimum core massrequired for the third dredge-up. Based on observations collected at theEuropean Southern Observatory, La Silla, Chile (ESO No.54.E-0350), theGerman Spanish Astronomical Centre, Calar Alto, operated by theMax-Planck-Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg, jointly with the SpanishNational Commission for Astronomy, and Kitt Peak National Observatory,USA.
| The Henize sample of S stars. I. The technetium dichotomy
This paper is the first one in a series investigating the properties ofthe S stars belonging to the Henize sample (205 S stars with delta<-25(deg) and R<10.5) in order to derive the respective properties(like galactic distribution and relative frequencies) of intrinsic (i.e.genuine asymptotic giant branch) S stars and extrinsic (i.e. postmass-transfer binary) S stars. High-resolution (R=30 000 to 60 000)spectra covering the range lambda lambda4230 -4270 Angstroms have beenobtained for 76 S stars, 8 M stars and 2 symbiotic stars. The lambda4262Angstroms and lambda4238 Angstroms blends involving a Tc I line wereanalysed separately and yield consistent conclusions regarding thepresence or absence of technetium. Only one `transition' case (Hen 140 =HD 120179, a star where only weak lines of technetium are detectable) isfound in our sample. A resolution greater than R =30 000 is clearlyrequired in order to derive unambiguous conclusions concerning thepresence or absence of technetium. The Tc/no Tc dichotomy will becorrelated with radial velocity and photometric data in a forthcomingpaper. Based on observations carried out at the European SouthernObservatory (ESO, La Silla, Chile)
| SiO rotation-vibration bands in cool giants II. The behaviour of SiO bands in AGB stars
The first overtone rotation-vibration transitions of SiO give rise toprominent bandheads in the wavelength range between 4.0 and 4.5 mu m. Inorder to study the behaviour of these features in AGB stars we observedthe 3.94 to 4.12 mu m spectra for a sample of 23 oxygen-rich late-typevariables. In contrast to the SRb objects, the Miras show a very largescatter of the equivalent widths of the SiO bands. Despite their cooltemperatures some of them have only weak or no SiO absorption, whichseems to be related to their strong pulsations producing a largevariability of the features. When comparing the band intensities withphotometric data, we found a general decrease with bluer IRAS (12-25)colors. However, this trend may only reflect the different behaviour ofthe Miras and SRb stars in our sample. We did not discover anycorrelation of the equivalent widths with the effective temperaturesderived from (J-K), or with the (K-12) color and the IRAS-LRS class,both of which can be regarded as a rough measure for the thickness ofthe circumstellar shell. In Paper I of this series (Aringer et al.\cite{siop}) we have shown that synthetic spectra calculated fromhydrostatic MARCS atmospheres are successful in reproducing the observedband intensities of giants with spectral types earlier than about M5 IIIand M2 II\@. However, they generally predict too strong features forvery cool and extended objects, as they are discussed in this work. Andthey fail completely when it comes to Miras with weak or no SiOabsorption. These stars are dominated by dynamical phenomena and, notsurprisingly, they can therefore not be described by hydrostaticstructures. Thus, we have also computed synthetic spectra based onexperimental dynamical models. Although they still have someshortcomings, we demonstrate that, in principle, they are able toexplain the whole range of equivalent widths of the observed SiObandheads and their variations. Based on observations made at theEuropean Southern Observatory (ESO), La Silla (Chile)}
| Stellar radii of M giants
We determine the stellar radii of the M giant stars in the Hipparcoscatalogue that have a parallax measured to better than 20% accuracy.This is done with the help of a relation between a visual surfacebrightness parameter and the Cousins (V - I) colour index, which wecalibrate with M giants with published angular diameters.The radii of(non-Mira) M giants increase from a median value of 50 R_Sun at spectraltype M0 III to 170 R_Sun at M7/8 III. Typical intermediate giant radiiare 65 R_Sun for M1/M2, 90 R_Sun for M3, 100 R_Sun for M4, 120 R_Sun forM5 and 150 R_Sun for M6. There is a large intrinsic spread for a givenspectral type. This variance in stellar radius increases with latertypes but in relative terms, it remains constant.We determineluminosities and, from evolutionary tracks, stellar masses for oursample stars. The M giants in the solar neighbourhood have masses in therange 0.8-4 M_Sun. For a given spectral type, there is a close relationbetween stellar radius and stellar mass. We also find a linear relationbetween the mass and radius of non-variable M giants. With increasingamplitude of variability we have larger stellar radii for a given mass.
| The Infrared Spectral Classification of Oxygen-rich Dust Shells
This paper presents infrared spectral classifications for a flux-limitedsample of 635 optically identified oxygen-rich variables includingsupergiants and sources on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB). Severalclasses of spectra from oxygen-rich dust exist, and these can bearranged in a smoothly varying sequence of spectral shapes known as thesilicate dust sequence. Classification based on this sequence revealsseveral dependencies of the dust emission on the properties of thecentral star. Nearly all S stars show broad emission features fromalumina dust, while most of the supergiants exhibit classic featuresfrom amorphous silicate dust. Mira variables with symmetric light curvesgenerally show broad alumina emission, while those with more asymmetriclight curves show classic silicate emission. These differences may arisefrom differences in the photospheric C/O ratio.
| HIPPARCOS Period-Luminosity Relations for Mira and Semiregular variables
We present period-luminosity (P-L) diagrams for nearby Mira andsemiregular variables, selecting stars with parallaxes better than 20%and well-determined periods. Using K-band magnitudes, we find twowell-defined P-L sequences, one corresponding to the standard Mira P-Lrelation and the second shifted to shorter periods by a factor of about1.9. The second sequence contains only semiregular variables, while theMira sequence contains both Mira and semiregular variables. Severalsemiregular stars show double periods that are in agreement with bothrelations. The Whitelock evolutionary track is shown to fit the data,indicating that the semiregular variables are Mira progenitors. Thetransition between the two sequences may correspond to a change in thepulsation mode or to a change in the stellar structure. Large-amplitudepulsations that lead to the classical Mira classification occur mainlynear the tip of the local asymptotic giant branch luminosity function.
| HIPPARCOS Astrometry of Infrared-Selected Sources and the Connection Between Optical and Infrared Reference Frames
Astrometric data from the Hipparcos satellite are reported for theoptical counterparts of 87 bright infrared sources. These sources may beuseful in defining a reference frame for infrared observations. The dataare also useful in studying the locations of circumstellar SiO masers.(SECTION: Stars)
| Classification and Identification of IRAS Sources with Low-Resolution Spectra
IRAS low-resolution spectra were extracted for 11,224 IRAS sources.These spectra were classified into astrophysical classes, based on thepresence of emission and absorption features and on the shape of thecontinuum. Counterparts of these IRAS sources in existing optical andinfrared catalogs are identified, and their optical spectral types arelisted if they are known. The correlations between thephotospheric/optical and circumstellar/infrared classification arediscussed.
| Semiregular variables of types SRa and SRb. Silicate dust emission features.
We have analysed the IRAS-LRS spectra of representative samples ofO-rich Semiregular (SR) variables of types SRa and SRb and of Miravariables. The silicate features were extracted by fitting the energydistribution with two blackbodies, approximating the continuous emissionfrom the photosphere and the circumstellar dust. The shape and strengthof the silicate features in the LRS range were then studied by computingthe residual fluxes in 5 selected wavelength regions covering the whole10μm and 18μm features and parts of the 10μm feature assignedto emission from olivine and possibly corundum. We compare our approachwith previous investigations and argue that a quantitative study ofdetails in the feature shape requires subtraction of the stellar and thedust continuum and the use of flux ratios rather than a discreteclassification system. The Miras form an extension of the SRb's towardslower stellar temperatures and higher dust shell opacities and they haveslightly higher average dust temperatures. The SRa's seem to be moresimilar to the Miras in their dust shell properties. The average 10μmfeature shapes of the three groups of variables agree, but taking intoaccount the photospheric and dust shell parameters, systematicdifferences show up. For stars hotter than about 2900K, the 10μmfeature width shows a wide range of values but no clear trend with thestellar temperature or the optical depth of the dust shell. These starsare generally SRb variables and have the thinnest dust envelopes. Atcooler stellar temperatures, where mostly Miras are found, the opticaldepth of the dust shell determines the feature width in the sense thatthicker shells have narrower features. It appears that the 13μmfeature is obvious only in a narrow range of effective temperature andoptical depth of the dust shell. We discuss our results in terms ofradiative transfer effects, differences in the average grain size,annealing and hydration of amorphous silicates and contributions fromother dust components. Of these possibilities the last one seems to bemost plausible with regard to the behavior of the 10μm feature width.The observations can be interpreted in terms of changing contributionsfrom olivine and corundum possibly caused by an increasing amount ofdust processing (Miras) and the influence of the atmospheric structureon the formation of these dust components (SRb's).
| Semiregular variables of types SRa and SRb. Circumstellar CO emission of an oxygen-rich sample.
O-rich Semiregular Variables (SRVs) of types SRa and SRb have beenobserved in the ^12^CO(J=1-0) and (J=2-1) lines using the SEST, LaSilla, Chile, and the 20-m telescope at Onsala, Sweden. In total 22detections (13 are new ones) and 1 tentative detection can be reportedamong the 48 stars observed. In 7 cases detections are precluded becauseof strong interference from interstellar CO emission. The majority ofthe detected objects, covering both small and longer periods, are weakin CO, i.e. they are low mass-loss rate objects(<=10^-7^Msun_/yr), and have, with only a few exceptions,envelopes with small expansion velocities (the mean value is =~8km/s).However, in this respect their properties are very similar to those ofbright O-rich Mira variables, whose pulsational periods are on theaverage 2-3 times higher. A comparison between stellar and circumstellarproperties shows that the gas expansion velocity does not depend on thestellar effective temperature, nor on the period. Likewise, we find nocorrelation between mass-loss rate and period, but there might be a weakdependence of the former on the stellar effective temperature.
| 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.
| Semiregular variables of types SRa and SRb. New JHKL'M-photometry for 200 stars.
This paper presents new JHKL'M observations of 200 Semiregular variables(SRVs) of types SRa and SRb. The sample was defined in Kerschbaum &Hron (1992a, Paper I) by means of a certain limit in bolometricalmagnitude. From the sample of 350 objects, 260 now have near infrared(NIR) photometry - for 60 of these stars data from the literature areused. In total 290 datasets are available because of some multipleobservations. We briefly compare the photometry obtained at differentobservatories. Small but significant differences are found. A firstanalysis of the photometry supports one of the main findings of Paper I.The, in many aspects inhomogeneous, O-rich semiregular variables oftypes SRa and SRb can be successfully split in two subgroups called the`blue' and `red'/`Mira' SRVs. A separation of the `red' SRVs fromintrinsic Miras additionally requires variability information.
| Circumstellar shells resolved in the IRAS survey data. I - Data processing procedure, results, and confidence tests
We have examined the IRAS 60 and 100 micron survey data covering 512evolved stars and young planetary nebulae for evidence of spatiallyresolved structure. A simple model, consisting of a central unresolvedsource surrounded by a resolved isothermal shell, was fitted to the datafor each star. Seventy-six stars were found to be resolved in the 60micron data. Tests have been performed to verify that the extendedstructure seen is not an artifact of the data-processing algorithm.
| SiO maser emission and the intrinsic properties of Mira variables
Observations of SiO maser emission from 161 Mira variables distributedover a wide range of intrinsic parameters like spectral type, bolometricmagnitude, and amplitude of pulsation are reported. The observationswere made at 86.243 GHz, using the 10.4 m millimeter-wave telescope ofthe Raman Research Institute at Bangalore, India. The maser emission isfound to be restricted to Miras having mean spectral types between M6and M10. The IR period-luminosity relation for Mira variables isemployed to calculate their distances and hence estimate their maserluminosities from the observed fluxes. The maser luminosity is found tobe correlated with the bolometric magnitude of the Mira variable. On anH-R diagram, the masing Mira variables are shown to lie in a regiondistinct from that for the nonmasing ones.
| Asymptotic giant branch stars near the sun
Available red and near-infrared photometry and apparent motions of M, S,and C asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in the Bright Star Catalogueare tabulated and discussed. It is shown that the red and near infraredindices normally used for late-type stars are interchangeable except forcarbon stars. The M-type giants are variable with visual amplitudegreater than 0.05 mag. The reddening-free parameter m2 from Genevaphotometry is essentially a temperature parameter for M giants, whilethe reddening-free parameter d is a sensitive detector of blue stellarcompanions. The space density of AGB stars near the sun decreases by afactor of 35 in a temperature range 3800 to 3400 K. Two of the S starsnear the sun were found to have nearly equal space motions and may becomembers of the Arcturus group.
| Near-infrared photometry of a sample of IRAS point sources
This paper presents the J, H, K, L, M photometry of 516 sourcespertaining to a sample of 787 sources which has been extracted from theIRAS Point Source Catalog in order to study the late stages of stellarevolution and the concomitant phenomena of mass loss. Three differentclssifications of these sources based on broad-band photometry and IRASlow-resolution spectra are given, and the distributions of the sourcesin terms of these classifications are presented. A subsample of peculiarsources, believed to have recently undergone a helium flash, has beenisolated using the K - L, (12-micron) color diagram. Some objectsmeriting further study are also mentioned.
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Observation and Astrometry data
| Constellation: | Centaurus |
| Right ascension: | 13h39m59.70s |
| Declination: | -49°57'01.0" |
| Apparent magnitude: | 6 |
| Distance: | 166.667 parsecs |
| Proper motion RA: | -99.5 |
| Proper motion Dec: | 17.5 |
| B-T magnitude: | 7.838 |
| V-T magnitude: | 6.044 |
Catalogs and designations:
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