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Mass loss and orbital period decrease in detached chromospherically active binaries
The secular evolution of the orbital angular momentum (OAM), thesystemic mass (M=M1+M2) and the orbital period of114 chromospherically active binaries (CABs) were investigated afterdetermining the kinematical ages of the subsamples which were setaccording to OAM bins. OAMs, systemic masses and orbital periods wereshown to be decreasing by the kinematical ages. The first-orderdecreasing rates of OAM, systemic mass and orbital period have beendetermined as per systemic OAM, per systemic mass and per orbitalperiod, respectively, from the kinematical ages. The ratio of d logJ/dlogM= 2.68, which were derived from the kinematics of the presentsample, implies that there must be a mechanism which amplifies theangular momentum loss (AML) times in comparison to isotropic AML ofhypothetical isotropic wind from the components. It has been shown thatsimple isotropic mass loss from the surface of a component or bothcomponents would increase the orbital period.
| Zonal Model of Starspots. Application to RS CVn Systems
Model results on starspots in 15 chromospherically active type RS CVnbinary systems are presented. The dependences of the parameters of thespots on the principal characteristics of the stars (spectral class,luminosity class, rotation, Rossby number) are examined. Latitudinaldrift of the spots, cycles in the spot activity, and differentialrotation are found in 9 of the stars.
| Kinematics of chromospherically active binaries and evidence of an orbital period decrease in binary evolution
The kinematics of 237 chromospherically active binaries (CABs) werestudied. The sample is heterogeneous with different orbits andphysically different components from F to M spectral-type main-sequencestars to G and K giants and supergiants. The computed U, V, W spacevelocities indicate that the sample is also heterogeneous in velocityspace. That is, both kinematically younger and older systems exist amongthe non-evolved main sequence and the evolved binaries containing giantsand subgiants. The kinematically young (0.95 Gyr) subsample (N= 95),which is formed according to the kinematical criteria of moving groups,was compared with the rest (N= 142) of the sample (3.86 Gyr) toinvestigate any observational clues of binary evolution. Comparing theorbital period histograms between the younger and older subsamples,evidence was found supporting the finding of Demircan that the CABs losemass (and angular momentum) and evolve towards shorter orbital periods.The evidence of mass loss is noticeable on the histograms of the totalmass (Mh+Mc), which is compared between theyounger (only N= 53 systems available) and older subsamples (only N= 66systems available). The orbital period decrease during binary evolutionis found to be clearly indicated by the kinematical ages of 6.69, 5.19and 3.02 Gyr which were found in the subsamples according to the periodranges of logP<= 0.8, 0.8 < logP<= 1.7 and 1.7 < logP<=3, respectively, among the binaries in the older subsample.
| Improved Astrometry and Photometry for the Luyten Catalog. II. Faint Stars and the Revised Catalog
We complete construction of a catalog containing improved astrometry andnew optical/infrared photometry for the vast majority of NLTT starslying in the overlap of regions covered by POSS I and by the secondincremental Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) release, approximately 44%of the sky. The epoch 2000 positions are typically accurate to 130 mas,the proper motions to 5.5 mas yr-1, and the V-J colors to0.25 mag. Relative proper motions of binary components are measured to 3mas yr-1. The false-identification rate is ~1% for11<~V<~18 and substantially less at brighter magnitudes. Theseimprovements permit the construction of a reduced proper-motion diagramthat, for the first time, allows one to classify NLTT stars intomain-sequence (MS) stars, subdwarfs (SDs), and white dwarfs (WDs). We inturn use this diagram to analyze the properties of both our catalog andthe NLTT catalog on which it is based. In sharp contrast to popularbelief, we find that NLTT incompleteness in the plane is almostcompletely concentrated in MS stars, and that SDs and WDs are detectedalmost uniformly over the sky δ>-33deg. Our catalogwill therefore provide a powerful tool to probe these populationsstatistically, as well as to reliably identify individual SDs and WDs.
| The Hamburg/RASS Catalogue of optical identifications. Northern high-galactic latitude ROSAT Bright Source Catalogue X-ray sources
We present the Hamburg/RASS Catalogue (HRC) of optical identificationsof X-ray sources at high-galactic latitude. The HRC includes all X-raysources from the ROSAT Bright Source Catalogue (RASS-BSC) with galacticlatitude |b| >=30degr and declination delta >=0degr . In thispart of the sky covering ~ 10 000 deg2 the RASS-BSC contains5341 X-ray sources. For the optical identification we used blue Schmidtprism and direct plates taken for the northern hemisphere Hamburg QuasarSurvey (HQS) which are now available in digitized form. The limitingmagnitudes are 18.5 and 20, respectively. For 82% of the selectedRASS-BSC an identification could be given. For the rest either nocounterpart was visible in the error circle or a plausibleidentification was not possible. With ~ 42% AGN represent the largestgroup of X-ray emitters, ~ 31% have a stellar counterpart, whereasgalaxies and cluster of galaxies comprise only ~ 4% and ~ 5%,respectively. In ~ 3% of the RASS-BSC sources no object was visible onour blue direct plates within 40\arcsec around the X-ray sourceposition. The catalogue is used as a source for the selection of(nearly) complete samples of the various classes of X-ray emitters.
| VLA multifrequency observations of RS CVn binaries
We present multiepoch Very Large Array (VLA) observations at 1.4 GHz,4.9 GHz, 8.5 GHz and 14.9 GHz for a sample of eight RS CVn binarysystems. Circular polarization measurements of these systems are alsoreported. Most of the fluxes observed are consistent with incoherentemission from mildly relativistic electrons. Several systems show anincrease of the degree of circular polarization with increasingfrequency in the optically thin regime, in conflict with predictions bygyrosynchrotron models. We observed a reversal in the sense of circularpolarization with increasing frequency in three non-eclipsing systems:EI Eri, DM UMa and HD8358. We find clear evidence for coherent plasma emission at1.4 GHz in the quiescent spectrum of HD 8358 duringthe helicity reversal. The degrees of polarization of the other twosystems could also be accounted for by a coherent emission process. Theobservations of ER Vul revealed two U-shaped fluxspectra at the highest frequencies. The U-shape of the spectra may beaccounted for by an optically thin gyrosynchrotron source for the lowfrequency part whereas the high frequency part is dominated by a thermalemission component.
| A systematic study of X-ray variability in the ROSAT all-sky survey
We present a systematic search for variability among the ROSAT All-SkySurvey (RASS) X-ray sources. We generated lightcurves for about 30 000X-ray point sources detected sufficiently high above background. For ourvariability study different search algorithms were developed in order torecognize flares, periods and trends, respectively. The variable X-raysources were optically identified with counterparts in the SIMBAD, theUSNO-A2.0 and NED data bases, but a significant part of the X-raysources remains without cataloged optical counterparts. Out of the 1207sources classified as variable 767 (63.5%) were identified with stars,118 (9.8%) are of extragalactic origin, 10 (0.8%) are identified withother sources and 312 (25.8%) could not uniquely be identified withentries in optical catalogs. We give a statistical analysis of thevariable X-ray population and present some outstanding examples of X-rayvariability detected in the ROSAT all-sky survey. Most prominent amongthese sources are white dwarfs, apparently single, yet neverthelessshowing periodic variability. Many flares from hitherto unrecognisedflare stars have been detected as well as long term variability in theBL Lac 1E1757.7+7034.The complete version of Table 7 is only available in electronic form atthe CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/403/247
| Long-term monitoring of active stars. X. Photometry collected in 1994
As part of an extensive program focused on the global properties andevolution of active stars, high-precision UBV(RI)_c and UBV photometryof 18 selected stars is presented. UBV(RI)_c observations were collectedat the European Southern Observatory over the intervals 21-28 September1994 and 25 November-05 December 1994. Additional UBV photometryobtained late in 1994 by Catania Astrophysical Observatory AutomaticPhotoelectric Telescope is also presented. Significant evolution of thelight curves, period variations and evidence for long-term variabilityof the global degree of spottedness are found. Some spectralclassifications are revised and photometric parallaxes are compared,whenever possible, with the values measured by the Hipparcos satellite.These observations are finalized to the construction of an extendedphotometric database, which can give important clues on topics such asthe stability of spotted areas, differential stellar rotation,solar-like activity cycles and the correlation between inhomogeneitiesat different atmospheric levels.Based on data collected at the European Southern Observatory, La Silla,Chile.Tables 1, 2 and 4 and the complete data set are only available inelectronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr(130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/400/659 (Table 3 is alsoavailable at the CDS).
| The Catania Automatic Photoelectric Telescope on Mt. Etna: a systematic study of magnetically active stars
A photometric monitoring of about 50 magnetically active stars, that arespread almost all over the H-R diagram, was initiated at the mountainstation of Catania Observatory on Mt. Etna (1750-m a.s.l.) in 1992 withan 80-cm robotic telescope (APT-80) built by AutoScope Co. (USA). Thissystematic survey is now approaching its 10th year anniversary. For mostof the stars, quite well defined solar-like spot maps have been derivedfrom UBV data obtained in different epochs. These data have allowed usto investigate some relevant characteristics of spot activity andvariability on stars, and to obtain clear evidence of long-term activitycycles, in the range from a few to about 10 years, on some of theobserved targets. Starspot maps are constructed by using advanced tools,such as massive parallel computing and are based on Maximum Entropy andTikhonov regularization criteria. Selected results are here presented.Our systematic observation program is still underway and a secondAPT80/2, equipped with a CCD camera, will pair the APT80/1 on the samesite. Its operation is foreseen for mid 2002.
| Long-term monitoring of active stars. IX. Photometry collected in 1993
As a part of an extensive program focused on the global properties andevolution of active stars, high-precision UBV(RI)_c and UBV photometryof 31 selected stars is presented. The UBV(RI)_c observations werecollected at the European Southern Observatory over the 31 December1992-18 January 1993 and the 20 November-3 December 1993 intervals.Additional UBV photometry obtained by the ``Phoenix" and by the CataniaAstrophysical Observatory Automatic Photoelectric Telescopes from 1990to 1993 is also presented for some of the program stars. Significantevolution of the light curves, period variations and evidence forlong-term variability of the global degree of spottedness are found.Some spectral classifications are revised and the inferred photometricparallaxes are compared, whenever possible, with the values measured bythe Hipparcos satellite. These observations are finalized to theconstruction of an extended photometric database, which can giveimportant clues on topics such as the stability of spotted areas,differential rotation, solar-like cycles and the correlation betweeninhomogeneities at different atmospheric levels. Based on data collectedat the European Southern Observatory, La Silla, Chile. Tables and thecomplete data set are also 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/367/910
| Statistics of BY Draconis Variables
A statistical survey of 113 spotted red dwarf stars that are known orsuspected BY Draconis variables is presented. Typical indicators ofstellar photometric activity—the amplitudes of the rotationalmodulation and seasonal mean brightness variations ΔV andΔ〈V〉—are compared to the global parameters of thestars. First, photometric variability shows a weak dependence onspectral type; second, ΔV and Δ〈V〉 grow withincreasing stellar rotational velocity and decreasing Rossby number,with the dependences saturating at the critical values V crit15 20km/s and Rocrit0.2 0.3; and third, the Sun as a star fits well intothe derived relations. Thus, the spottedness of stars, like otherindicators of stellar activity, depends on their global parameters.
| The ROSAT Bright Survey: II. Catalogue of all high-galactic latitude RASS sources with PSPC countrate CR > 0.2 s-1
We present a summary of an identification program of the more than 2000X-ray sources detected during the ROSAT All-Sky Survey (Voges et al.1999) at high galactic latitude, |b| > 30degr , with countrate above0.2 s-1. This program, termed the ROSAT Bright Survey RBS, isto more than 99.5% complete. A sub-sample of 931 sources with countrateabove 0.2 s-1 in the hard spectral band between 0.5 and 2.0keV is to 100% identified. The total survey area comprises 20391deg2 at a flux limit of 2.4 x 10-12 ergcm-2 s-1 in the 0.5 - 2.0 keV band. About 1500sources of the complete sample could be identified by correlating theRBS with SIMBAD and the NED. The remaining ~ 500 sources were identifiedby low-resolution optical spectroscopy and CCD imaging utilizingtelescopes at La Silla, Calar Alto, Zelenchukskaya and Mauna Kea. Apartfrom completely untouched sources, catalogued clusters and galaxieswithout published redshift as well as catalogued galaxies with unusualhigh X-ray luminosity were included in the spectroscopic identificationprogram. Details of the observations with an on-line presentation of thefinding charts and the optical spectra will be published separately.Here we summarize our identifications in a table which contains opticaland X-ray information for each source. As a result we present the mostmassive complete sample of X-ray selected AGNs with a total of 669members and a well populated X-ray selected sample of 302 clusters ofgalaxies with redshifts up to 0.70. Three fields studied by us remainwithout optical counterpart (RBS0378, RBS1223, RBS1556). While the firstis a possible X-ray transient, the two latter are isolated neutron starcandidates (Motch et al. 1999, Schwope et al. 1999).
| Spots and plages on a young main-sequence solar-type star: HD 206860
The young solar type star HD 206860 is known to be aphotometric variable with emission in the core of Ca ii H & K lines,several times more intense than the Sun when observed as a star. Thephotometric and spectroscopic monitoring of HD 206860from near contemporaneous observations at Serra La Nave (Catania, Italy)and at the Observatoire de Haute Provence (OHP, France) shows thatchromospheric spectral-line flux and photometric variations follow thesame period (4.74 days). From Strömgren photometry and Ca ii andHα chromospheric emission clearly anti-correlated variations havebeen found. This result suggests that spots and plages in this singlesolar-type star are spatially associated, as frequently observed for thelargest sun-spot groups and for some very active RS CVn systems. Aspot/plage model applied to the observed flux curves allows a crudereconstruction of the 3D structure of the external atmosphere of thisstar. Based on observations collected at the Observatoire de HauteProvence (CNRS), France, and at the Osservatorio Astrofisico di Catania,Italy
| Homogeneous photometry and metal abundances for a large sample of Hipparcos metal-poor stars*
Homogeneous photometric data (Johnson V, B-V, V-K, Cousins V-I andStrömgren b-y), radial velocities, and abundances of Fe, O, Mg, Si,Ca, Ti, Cr and Ni are presented for 99 stars with high-precisionparallaxes measured by the Hipparcos satellite. These data have beenpreviously used to assist the derivation of accurate distances and agesof Galactic globular clusters. Magnitudes and colours for the programmestars were obtained by combining and standardizing carefully selectedliterature data available in the Simbad data base, and V and B-V valuesmeasured by the Hipparcos/Tycho mission. Comparison of colours for ourtargets suggests: (i) ground-based and Tycho B-V values agree well forcolours bluer than 0.75 mag, but have a lot of scatter for reddercolours; (ii) the Hipparcos V-I colours have a very large scatter and azero-point offset of +0.02 mag compared to the literature values.The programme stars have metal abundances in the range-2.5<[Fe/H]<0.2. The spectroscopic observational data set consistsof high-dispersion (15 000200) spectraobtained at the Asiago and McDonald Observatories for 66 stars. Theanalysis is carried out following the same precepts as those used inprevious papers of this series, and includes corrections for departuresfrom LTE in the formation of the O lines. The main results are: (i) theequilibrium of ionization of Fe is well satisfied in late F-early Kdwarfs; (ii) oxygen and α-elements are overabundant by ~0.3 dex.This large homogeneous abundance data set has been used to recalibratethe abundance scales of Schuster & Nissen, Ryan & Norris andCarney et al. (1994).
| On X-Ray Variability in Active Binary Stars
We have compared the X-ray emissions of active binary stars observed atvarious epochs by the Einstein and ROSAT satellites in order toinvestigate the nature of their X-ray variability. The primary aim ofthis work is to determine whether or not active binaries exhibitlong-term variations in X-ray emission, perhaps analogous to theobserved cyclic behavior of solar magnetic activity. We find that, whilethe mean level of emission of the sample remains steady, comparison ofdifferent ROSAT observations of the same stars shows significantvariation on timescales <~2 yr, with an ``effective variability''ΔI/I=0.32+/-0.04, where I and ΔI represent the mean emissionand variation from the mean emission, respectively. A comparison of theROSAT All-Sky Survey and later pointed observations with earlierobservations of the same stars carried out with Einstein yields onlymarginal evidence for a larger variation (ΔI/I=0.38+/-0.04 forEinstein vs. ROSAT All-Sky Survey and 0.46+/-0.05 for Einstein vs. ROSATpointed) at these longer timescales (~10 yr), thus indicating thepossible presence of a long-term component to the variability. Whetheror not this long-term component is due to the presence of cyclicvariability cannot be decided on the basis of existing data. However,assuming that this component is analogous to the observed cyclicvariability of the Sun, we find that the relative magnitude of thecyclic component in the ROSAT passband can, at most, be a factor of 4,i.e., I_cyc/I_min<4. This is to be compared with the correspondingbut significantly higher solar value of ~10-10^2 derived from GOES,Yohkoh, and Solrad data. These results are consistent with thesuggestions of earlier studies that a turbulent or distributive dynamomight be responsible for the observed magnetic activity on the mostactive, rapidly rotating stars.
| The FIRST Unbiased Survey for Radio Stars
Comparison of the VLA FIRST survey with various catalogs of bright starsallows an examination of the prevalence of stellar radio emissionindependent of optical selection criteria. This FIRST unbiased surveyfor radio stars covers nearly 5000 deg^2 of the northern sky to a fluxdensity limit of 0.7 mJy at 20 cm. Using astrometric catalogs thatinclude proper-motion information, we have detected 26 stellar radiosources, doubling the number of such objects previously known in thisregion of high-latitude sky. We also show that, in the absence of goodproper motions, even the 1" precision of the FIRST positions isinsufficient to avoid crippling chance coincidence rates. We calculatethe fraction of radio detections as a function of stellar magnitude andshow that, when proper motions from the Guide Star Catalog II becomeavailable, the number of stellar radio source detections should increasefourfold.
| Classification of EUV stellar sources detected by the ROSAT WFC. I. Photometric and radial velocity studies
We present the results of high-precision UBV(RI)_c photometricobservations and of spectroscopic radial velocity measurements obtainedat the European Southern Observatory for a sample of 51 cool starsdetected in the EUV by the ROSAT Wide Field Camera (WFC). Using alsorecent results from HIPPARCOS, we infer spectral types and investigatethe single or binary nature of the sample stars. Optical variability,with periods in the 0.4-13 day range, has been detected for the firsttime in 15 of these stars. based on data collected at the EuropeanSouthern Observatory, La Silla, Chile.}\fnmsep \thanks{Tables 1--5,Figs. 2-27 and the complete data set are available in electronic form atthe CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html}
| On the rotation-activity correlation for active binary stars
We present an investigation of rotation-activity correlations usingInternational Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) SWP measurements of the Civemission line at 1550Angstroms for 72 active binary systems. We use astandard stellar evolution code to derive non-empirical Rossby numbers,R_0, for each star in our sample and compare the resulting Civrotation-activity correlation to that found for empirically derivedvalues of the Rossby number and that based on rotation alone. For dwarfstars our values of R_0 do not differ greatly from empirical ones and wefind a corresponding lack of improvement in correlation. Only a marginalimprovement in correlation is found for evolved components in oursample. We discuss possible additional factors, other than rotation orconvection, that may influence the activity levels in active binaries.Our observational data imply, in contrast to the theoretical predictionsof convective motions, that activity is only weakly related to mass inevolved stars. We conclude that current dynamo theory is limited in itsapplication to the study of active stars because of the uncertainty inthe angular velocity-depth profile in stellar interiors and the unknowneffects of binarity and surface gravity.
| Identification of soft high galactic latitude RASS X-ray sources. I. A complete count-rate limited sample
We present a summary of spectroscopic identifications for a completesample of bright soft high galactic latitude X-ray sources drawn fromthe ROSAT All-Sky Survey which have PSPC count-rates CR > 0.5 {ctss}(-1) and hardness ratios HR1 < 0. Of a total of 397 sources, 270had catalogued counterparts although most of these were not previouslyknown as X-ray sources; of the remaining 127 sources neither X-ray noroptical properties were previously known. Of the whole sample of verysoft X-ray sources 155 were also discovered by the Wide-Field-Camera onboard ROSAT. We present spectroscopic identifications of 108 sources andother identifications for further 18 sources; 1 source remainsunidentified so far. In practically all cases a unique opticalcounterpart exists facilitating identification. The largest sourceclasses are AGN, magnetic cataclysmic variables, and hot white dwarfs.Based in part on observations with the ESO/MPI 2.2m telescope at LaSilla, Chile
| An Optical Atlas of Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) Sources
The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) has been detecting EUV sourcessince its launch in June 1992. Positions of 540 sources have been madeavailable to the community by the EUVE team. We have extracted 7' X 7'images centered on these 540 EUVE sources from the Space TelescopeScience Institute digitized sky archives. We present these images asmosaic finder charts to aid observers trying to identify EUVE sources,or to characterize known sources. (SECTION: Atlases)
| An All-Sky Catalog of Faint Extreme Ultraviolet Sources
We present a list of 534 objects detected jointly in the ExtremeUltraviolet Explorer (EUVE) 100 Angstroms all-sky survey and in theROSAT X-Ray Telescope 0.25 keV band. The joint selection criterionpermits use of a low count rate threshold in each survey. This lowthreshold is roughly 60% of the threshold used in the previous EUVEall-sky surveys, and 166 of the objects listed here are new EUV sources,appearing in neither the Second EUVE Source Catalog nor the ROSAT WideField Camera Second Catalog. The spatial distribution of this all-skycatalog shows three features: an enhanced concentration of objects inUrsa Major, where the Galactic integrated H I column reaches its globalminimum; an enhanced concentration in the third quadrant of the Galaxy(lII from 180 deg to 270 deg) including the Canis Major tunnel, whereparticularly low H I columns are found to distances beyond 200 pc; and aparticularly low number of faint objects in the direction of the fourthquadrant of the Galaxy, where nearby intervening H I columns areappreciable. Of particular interest is the composition of the 166detections not previously reported in any EUV catalog. We offerpreliminary identifications for 105 of these sources. By far the mostnumerous (81) of the identifications are late-type stars (F, G, K, M),while 18 are other stellar types, only five are white dwarfs (WDs), andnone are extragalactic. The paucity of WDs and extragalactic objects maybe explained by a strong horizon effect wherein interstellar absorptionstrongly limits the effective new-source search volume and, thereby,selectively favors low-luminosity nearby sources over more luminous butdistant objects.
| The X-Ray Sun in Time: A Study of the Long-Term Evolution of Coronae of Solar-Type Stars
We have used the ASCA and ROSAT X-ray satellites to probe the coronae ofa sample of nine solar-like G stars. These stars are all ostensiblysingle with ages ranging from 70 Myr to 9 Gyr and have X-rayluminosities ranging from 1 to 500 times that of the quiet Sun.Specifically, we investigate the dependence of the coronal temperatureand emission measure structure of these stars on age and rotationperiod. In the younger stars, a considerable portion of the volumeemission measure resides at very high temperatures, reaching up to~20--30 MK in EK Dra. Such temperatures are comparable to temperaturesthat are achieved on the Sun during short flaring episodes. Intwo-temperature fits to ROSAT data, the higher temperature decaysrapidly within the first few 100 Myr; the decay may be described by aninverse power law, Thot ~ age-0.3. We also find a power-law dependencebetween the total X-ray luminosity and the higher temperatureL_{{X}}~T4_{{hot}} . We interpret this as evidence of adecrease in the efficiency of high-temperature coronal heating as asolar-like star ages and its rotation slows down. A reconstruction ofthe coronal differential emission measure (DEM) distribution in three ofthe stars using ASCA data indicates a bimodal distribution intemperature, with the hotter plasma at 12--30 MK and the cooler plasmabelow 10 MK. We infer, for the first time, a consistent evolution of theDEM structure in a solar-type star. The emission measure of the hottercomponent rapidly decreases with age and becomes unimportant at agesbeyond ~500 Myr. The emitted X-ray emission of the young Sun thusrapidly softened, which had important implications for the youngplanetary atmospheres. We suggest that the high-temperature component isthe result of superimposed but temporally unresolved flaring events andsupport this picture by reconstructing the time-integrated (average)emission measure distribution of a typical solar X-ray flare. Radioobservations of active stars fit well into this picture and suggest thatthe presence of nonthermal electrons in coronae is linked to thepresence of hot (>10 MK) plasma, very much the same situation as insolar flares. We find, however, that radio emission saturates, if atall, at smaller rotation periods than does X-ray emission.
| EUV Emission from RS Canum Venaticorum binaries.
We performed a study of 104 RS CVn systems in the extreme ultraviolet(EUV) using the all-sky survey data obtained by the Extreme UltravioletExplorer (EUVE). The present sample includes several new RS CVndetections; 11 more than in the published EUVE catalogs, and 8 more thanin the ROSAT Wide Field Camera catalog. The ratio of detections tonon-detections remained constant throughout the sky, implying that ourdetections are not limited by the exposure time but are most likelylimited by absorption from the interstellar medium. A general trend ofincreasing Lex/B (50-180Å) flux with decreasing rotational periodis clear. The dwarf systems exhibit a leveling-off for the fasterrotators. In contrast, the evolved systems exhibit no such effect. Forthe RS CVn systems the losses in the EUV represent a smaller fraction ofthe coronal radiative losses, as compared to active late-type dwarfs.
| Optical and X-Ray Characteristics of Stars Detected in the Einstein Slew Survey
We detect X-rays for the first time from 63 cool (types AM) stars. Thesestars are part of the 229 total stellar X-ray sources identified to datein the Einstein Slew Survey (hereafter Slew). We also list new X-raydata on one A star that may have a corona, five OB stars, and reportdiscoveries of two new T Tauri stars and two new cataclysmic variables.The stellar content of the Slew high-latitude subset (currently 93%identified for |b_II_| > 20^deg^) is 26%. This agrees well with theEinstein Extended Medium Sensitivity Survey (EMSS) stellar sample, whichonly considered high latitudes. Because of the large solid angle coveredby the Slew, and its shallow limiting flux, the sample will better probethe bright end of the stellar X-ray luminosity function (L_X_ >10^30^ ergs s^-1^). Presently (based on the 221 Slew stars with knownspectral types), the sample is dominated by late-type systems (coolerthan F; 68%). These include dMe's, BY Dra, RS CVn, and FK Comae systems.Based on the limiting magnitudes of catalogs searched to date, the Slewis assessed to be complete for spectral types earlier than K. Hence, Kand M systems will be prominent in the ~50 as yet unidentified stars. Wehave embarked on an extensive program to (1) confirm the X-rayidentifications with the optical counterparts; (2) search for Ca II Hand K and Balmer line emission as activity signatures; and (3) searchfor supporting evidence of magnetic activity by measuring rotationalvelocities and relating them to X-ray luminosity level. Of 64 proposedcoronal systems observed to date, we have confirmed 44 active stars,while in the remaining 20 we have been unable to find definitiveactivity. We have confirmed an additional 19 active stars from stellardatabase searches, and reclassified nine systems as having nonstellaroptical counterparts from optical follow-up identification work andextragalactic database searches. We discuss notable new discoveries.From the sample of single active F7-MS Slew stars with measured ν sini-values, we find a strong (99.9% confidence level) linear correlationof X-ray luminosity with ν sin i and with stellar radius (R).However, L_X_ is uncorrelated with angular rotation speed at the 99%level. For the combined Slew and EMSS single star F7-MS sample, we findthe same 99.9% ν sin i-L_X_ and R-L_X_ correlations. The L_X_-νsin i relation for the combined sample appears to flatten with respectto the quadratic behavior seen for optically selected stellar samples atrotational velocities in excess of ~16 km s^-1^. For the unevolvedsubset of the Slew single star sample, we also find a correlationbetween L_X_ and Rossby number (R_0_; more than 99% confidence). Aleast-squares fit gives L_X_ ~ R_0_^-0.4^, which is similarly flatterthan the quadratic dependence seen in optical samples. Using the stellarsurface X-ray flux F_X_ versus B - V diagram, we interpret these resultsas saturation of the stellar surface by active regions at F_X_/F_bol_ ~10^-3^.
| RS CVn Versus Algol-Type Binaries: A Comparative Study of Their X-Ray Emission
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1996AJ....111.2415S&db_key=AST
| The emission of the RS CVn binaries in the IRAS passbands.
In the literature, there is an ambiguity pertaining to the existence ofa far-IR excess in RS CVn systems. In the current paper we undertook astudy of the behaviour of 103 such systems in the IRAS passbands. Wefound 72 acceptable detections in the 12μm band, and 40 in the25μm band (50% more than the IRAS Point Source Catalog). Although ourfindings may be interpreted as indicating towards the existence of anexcess beyond 12μm for some systems, the evidence is not conclusivein all but two cases. These are systems GX Lib and HR 7428, with Capellabeing the only system where the IRAS fluxes in all four bands originatefrom the stellar photosphere. Given the accuracy of the data we did notfind 12μm excess for any system. We argue that the IRAS data alonecannot settle the issue, as their uncertainty is, in many cases, higherthan what the Signal-to-Noise ratio of each observation implies.Furthermore, at the higher wavelength bands the IRAS angular resolutiondrops from 0.5' at 12μm to 2' at 100μm and the background becomesvery complex, so one cannot be certain about the origin of the observedflux. The existence of IR excess in the RS CVn stars is important as faras the evolutionary scenarios for these systems are concerned. Futuremissions such as the Infrared Space Observatory will return moresensitive and accurate measurements and the ambiguity can be removed.The fluxes we quote will be helpful when planning these futureobservations, as we provide more accurate photometry and for a largerselection of sources than the IRAS Point Source Catalog.
| Mechanical heating levels in ultra-fast rotating dwarfs.
Using available observational data we have estimated the total radiativeoutput from the chromospheric/coronal plasma as a result of magneticheating for several F, G, K & M dwarfs. When tabulated as a functionof the bolometric flux, a clear 'levelling-off/saturation' exists forthe faster rotators as found previously when using single spectrallines. However, using recent chromospheric radiative transfer modelcalculations it is shown that this 'saturation' can be due to asignificantly larger fraction of the losses being radiated by hydrogenin the ultraviolet/optical/infrared continuum regions. The implicationbeing that these ultra-fast rotators have a high density chromosphere,plus a high temperature minimum, although additional chromospheric modelcalculations are required which include better molecular line opacitiesplus and an extension of the models for stars with higher effectivetemperatures.
| The ROSAT Wide Field Camera all-sky survey of extreme-ultraviolet sources - II. The 2RE Source Catalogue
During 1990-1991 the Wide Field Camera (WFC) on the ROSAT satelliteperformed the first all-sky survey at EUV wavelengths. The survey wasconducted in two `colours' using broad-band filters to define wavebandscovering the ranges 60-140 A and 112-200 A. It was fully imaging, witheffective spatial resolution of about 3 arcmin FWHM, and point sourcelocation accuracy of typically better than 1 arcmin. From an initialanalysis, Pounds et al. published the WFC Bright Source Catalogue (BSC)of 383 sources. In this paper we report results from reprocessing of thecomplete survey database; the resulting list of sources is the `2RE'Catalogue. It contains 479 sources, of which 387 are detected in bothsurvey wavebands, a significant advance on the BSC (80 per cent versus60 per cent). Improvements over the original BSC include: (i) betterrejection of poor aspect periods, and smaller random errors in theaspect reconstruction; (ii) improved background screening; (iii)improved methods for source detection; (iv) inclusion of atime-variability test for each source; (v) more extensive investigationof the survey sensitivity. We define the catalogue selection criteria,and present the catalogue contents in terms of tables and sky maps. Wealso discuss the sky coverage, source number-flux relations, opticalidentifications and source variability.
| ROSAT EUV observations of DA white dwarfs and late-type stars and the structure of the local interstellar medium
The local interstellar medium (LISM, D<150 pc)is observed to be generally deficient in cool dense material (n~0.1,T~100 K) compared to surrounding areas of the Galactic plane. Thelocation of the actual boundaries of this 'local bubble' is, however,uncertain. Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) observations are particularlysensitive to cool material and the recent ROSAT all-sky EUV surveyprovides a sample with which to investigate the distribution of thisphase of the LISM. Neutral hydrogen columns (N_H) are derived for anumber of white dwarfs and late-type stars in the ROSAT EUV brightsource catalogue by statistical fitting of appropriate absorbed modelspectra. The N_H data so derived are consistent with the bubble model ofthe LISM, and show that the bubble has a mean radius of 70 pc. The dataalso show that, in most directions, columns do not rise to greater than10^20 cm^-2 within 100 pc, at odds with some other models. The existenceof a large increase in N_H towards the Galactic Centre is confirmed, butat a slightly greater distance than was previously believed. Significantinhomogeneities are apparent in the distribution of cool material insidethe local bubble and there is evidence for some low column lines ofsight.
| A Study of the Chromospherically Active, Short-Period Binary VZ PISCIUM
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1995ApJ...455..300H&db_key=AST
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Observation and Astrometry data
| Constellation: | Baleine |
| Right ascension: | 01h22m50.30s |
| Declination: | +00°42'43.4" |
| Apparent magnitude: | 8.28 |
| Distance: | 65.746 parsecs |
| Proper motion RA: | -111.1 |
| Proper motion Dec: | -239.6 |
| B-T magnitude: | 9.157 |
| V-T magnitude: | 8.353 |
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