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Searching for links between magnetic fields and stellar evolution: II. The evolution of magnetic fields as revealed by observations of Ap stars in open clusters and associations
Context: The evolution of magnetic fields in Ap stars during the mainsequence phase is presently mostly unconstrained by observation becauseof the difficulty of assigning accurate ages to known field Ap stars. Aims: We are carrying out a large survey of magnetic fields in clusterAp stars with the goal of obtaining a sample of these stars withwell-determined ages. In this paper we analyse the information availablefrom the survey as it currently stands. Methods: We select from theavailable observational sample the stars that are probably (1) clusteror association members and (2) magnetic Ap stars. For the stars in thissubsample we determine the fundamental parameters T{eff},L/L_ȯ, and M/M_ȯ. With these data and the cluster ages weassign both absolute age and fractional age (the fraction of the mainsequence lifetime completed). For this purpose we have derived newbolometric corrections for Ap stars. Results: Magnetic fields arepresent at the surfaces of Ap stars from the ZAMS to the TAMS.Statistically for the stars with M > 3 M_ȯ the fields declinewith advancing age approximately as expected from flux conservationtogether with increased stellar radius, or perhaps even faster than thisrate, on a time scale of about 3×107 yr. In contrast,lower mass stars show no compelling evidence for field decrease even ona timescale of several times 108 yr. Conclusions: Study ofmagnetic cluster stars is now a powerful tool for obtaining constraintson evolution of Ap stars through the main sequence. Enlarging the sampleof known cluster magnetic stars, and obtaining more precise rms fields,will help to clarify the results obtained so far. Further fieldobservations are in progress.Tables 2 and 3 are only available in electronic form athttp://www.aanda.org
| Evolution of magnetic fields in stars across the upper main sequence: II. Observed distribution of the magnetic field geometry
We re-discuss the evolutionary state of upper main sequence magneticstars using a sample of Ap and Bp stars with accurate Hipparcosparallaxes and definitely determined longitudinal magnetic fields. Weconfirm our previous results obtained from the study of Ap and Bp starswith accurate measurements of the mean magnetic field modulus and meanquadratic magnetic fields that magnetic stars of mass {M}<3 M_ȯare concentrated towards the centre of the main-sequence band. Incontrast, stars with masses {M}>3 M_ȯ seem to be concentratedcloser to the ZAMS. The study of a few known members of nearby openclusters with accurate Hipparcos parallaxes confirms these conclusions.Stronger magnetic fields tend to be found in hotter, younger and moremassive stars, as well as in stars with shorter rotation periods. Thelongest rotation periods are found only in stars which spent alreadymore than 40% of their main sequence life, in the mass domain between1.8 and 3 M_ȯ and with log g values ranging from 3.80 to 4.13. Noevidence is found for any loss of angular momentum during themain-sequence life. The magnetic flux remains constant over the stellarlife time on the main sequence. An excess of stars with largeobliquities β is detected in both higher and lower mass stars. It isquite possible that the angle β becomes close to 0o inslower rotating stars of mass {M}>3 M_ȯ too, analog to thebehaviour of angles β in slowly rotating stars of {M}<3 M_ȯ.The obliquity angle distribution as inferred from the distribution ofr-values appears random at the time magnetic stars become observable onthe H-R diagram. After quite a short time spent on the main sequence,the obliquity angle β tends to reach values close to either90o or 0o for {M}<3 M_ȯ. The evolution ofthe obliquity angle β seems to be somewhat different for low andhigh mass stars. While we find a strong hint for an increase of βwith the elapsed time on the main sequence for stars with {M}>3M_ȯ, no similar trend is found for stars with {M}<3 M_ȯ.However, the predominance of high values of β at advanced ages inthese stars is notable. As the physics governing the processes takingplace in magnetised atmospheres remains poorly understood, magneticfield properties have to be considered in the framework of dynamo orfossil field theories.
| On the co-existence of chemically peculiar Bp stars, slowly pulsating B stars and constant B stars in the same part of the HR diagram
Aims. In order to better model massive B-type stars, we need tounderstand the physical processes taking place in slowly pulsating B(SPB) stars, chemically peculiar Bp stars, and non-pulsating normal Bstars co-existing in the same part of the H-R diagram. Methods: Wecarry out a comparative study between samples of confirmed andwell-studied SPB stars and a sample of well-studied Bp stars with knownperiods and magnetic field strengths. We determine their evolutionarystate using accurate HIPPARCOS parallaxes and Geneva photometry. Wediscuss the occurrence and strengths of magnetic fields as well as theoccurrence of stellar pulsation among both groups. Further, we make acomparison of Geneva photometric variability for both kinds of stars. Results: The group of Bp stars is significantly younger than the groupof SPB stars. Longitudinal magnetic fields in SPB stars are weaker thanthose of Bp stars, suggesting that the magnetic field strength is animportant factor for B type stars to become chemically peculiar. Thestrongest magnetic fields appear in young Bp stars, indicating amagnetic field decay in stars at advanced ages. Rotation periods of Bpand pulsation periods of SPB stars are of the same order and thebehaviour of Geneva photometric variability of some Bp stars cannot bedistinguished from the variability of SPB stars, illustrating thedifficulty to interpret the observed variability of the order of daysfor B-type stars. We consider the possibility that pulsation could beresponsible for the variability among chemically peculiar stars. Inparticular, we show that a non-linear pulsation model is not excluded byphotometry for the Bp star HD 175362.
| Are magnetic hot stars intrinsic X-ray sources?
Context: . X-ray surveys carried out with the Einstein and ROSATsatellites have resulted in rather unexpected detections of X-rayemission from late B-type and early A-type stars. These stars possessneither winds like early-type stars nor convective envelopes aslate-type stars, so that the origin and production mechanism of thisX-emission is unclear. Aims: . We investigate whether thepresence of large magnetic fields is related to the observed X-rayemission. Methods: . We carried out Chandra high-angularresolution observations of a sample of late B-type and A-type stars withmeasured magnetic fields in the range from 0.2-17 kG. Out of theselected 10 sample stars, 6 objects had been previously detected asX-ray sources, some of them, however, with high positional uncertaintyand a low signal-to-noise ratio, while 4 of our sample stars do havelarge magnetic fields but no previous detections of X-ray emission. Results: . Our Chandra data confirm all previous ROSAT detectionswith an extremely high significance, and the limits of the offsetsbetween X-ray and optical positions are greatly improved. In particular,HD 215441, known as Babcock's star with the strongestmagnetic field by far (17 kG) of our sample stars, a rather faint andsomewhat marginal ROSAT source, can clearly be detected. However, noneof the 4 ROSAT non-detections could be detected with the new Chandraobservations. Conclusions: . The pure existence of a magneticfield of kiloGauss strength on a late B-type or A-type star is thereforenot necessarily a prerequisite for finding X-ray emission among thesestars. Understanding the observed X-ray emission from Babcock's star isa challenge for observational and theoretical astrophysics.
| Evolutionary state of magnetic chemically peculiar stars
Context: .The photospheres of about 5-10% of the upper main sequencestars exhibit remarkable chemical anomalies. Many of these chemicallypeculiar (CP) stars have a global magnetic field, the origin of which isstill a matter of debate. Aims: .We present a comprehensivestatistical investigation of the evolution of magnetic CP stars, aimedat providing constraints to the theories that deal with the origin ofthe magnetic field in these stars. Methods: .We have collectedfrom the literature data for 150 magnetic CP stars with accurateHipparcos parallaxes. We have retrieved from the ESO archive 142 FORS1observations of circularly polarized spectra for 100 stars. From thesespectra we have measured the mean longitudinal magnetic field, anddiscovered 48 new magnetic CP stars (five of which belonging to the rareclass of rapidly oscillating Ap stars). We have determined effectivetemperature and luminosity, then mass and position in the H-R diagramfor a final sample of 194 magnetic CP stars. Results: .We foundthat magnetic stars with M > 3 ~M_ȯ are homogeneouslydistributed along the main sequence. Instead, there are statisticalindications that lower mass stars (especially those with M ≤2~M_ȯ) tend to concentrate in the centre of the main sequence band.We show that this inhomogeneous age distribution cannot be attributed tothe effects of random errors and small number statistics. Our datasuggest also that the surface magnetic flux of CP stars increases withstellar age and mass, and correlates with the rotation period. For starswith M > 3~M_ȯ, rotation periods decrease with age in a wayconsistent with the conservation of the angular momentum, while for lessmassive magnetic CP stars an angular momentum loss cannot be ruledout. Conclusions: .The mechanism that originates and sustains themagnetic field in the upper main sequence stars may be different in CPstars of different mass.
| Reddening and the Extinction Law at High Galactic Latitude
We present near-infrared (JHKL) photometry of 103 southern stars locatedbehind translucent interstellar clouds at high Galactic latitude. Ourdata are combined with visual photometry and spectral type informationfrom the literature in a detailed analysis of the wavelength dependenceof interstellar extinction by dust in these high-latitude clouds. Weinvestigate the shape of the near-infrared extinction curve and evaluatethe total line-of-sight extinction (AV) and ratio oftotal-to-selective extinction (RV) in each line of sight.Sources of uncertainty in RV arising from photometric errorsand spectral classification errors are carefully assessed and quantifiedas functions of the line-of-sight reddening. We detect appreciabledifferences in our results compared with the average extinction curvefor dust in the diffuse interstellar medium (ISM) close to the Galacticplane. Assuming a power-law form in the near-infrared, we find the meanfor high-latitude clouds to be well described by~λ-2.3, somewhat steeperthan that for the diffuse ISM(~λ-1.8). Our sampleincludes a substantial number of lines of sight with low RVvalues (47% with RV<2.8) relative to the diffuse ISMaverage of 3.05+/-0.15. We conclude that many high-latitude clouds haveenhanced abundances of relatively small grains.
| Herbig Ae/Be Stars in nearby OB Associations
We have carried out a study of the early-type stars in nearby OBassociations spanning an age range of ~3-16 Myr, with the aim ofdetermining the fraction of stars that belong to the Herbig Ae/Be class.We studied the B, A, and F stars in the nearby (<=500 pc) OBassociations Upper Scorpius, Perseus OB2, Lacerta OB1, and Orion OB1,with membership determined from Hipparcos data. We also included in ourstudy the early-type stars in the Trumpler 37 cluster, part of the CepOB2 association. We obtained spectra for 440 Hipparcos stars in theseassociations, from which we determined accurate spectral types, visualextinctions, effective temperatures, luminosities and masses, usingHipparcos photometry. Using colors corrected for reddening, we find thatthe Herbig Ae/Be stars and the classical Be (CBe) stars occupy clearlydifferent regions in the JHK diagram. Thus, we use the location on theJHK diagram, as well as the presence of emission lines and of strong 12μm flux relative to the visual, to identify the Herbig Ae/Be stars inthe associations. We find that the Herbig Ae/Be stars constitute a smallfraction of the early-type stellar population even in the youngerassociations. Comparing the data from associations with different agesand assuming that the near-infrared excess in the Herbig Ae/Be starsarises from optically thick dusty inner disks, we determined theevolution of the inner disk frequency with age. We find that the innerdisk frequency in the age range 3-10 Myr in intermediate-mass stars islower than that in the low-mass stars (<1 Msolar) inparticular, it is a factor of ~10 lower at ~3 Myr. This indicates thatthe timescales for disk evolution are much shorter in theintermediate-mass stars, which could be a consequence of more efficientmechanisms of inner disk dispersal (viscous evolution, dust growth, andsettling toward the midplane).
| A catalog of stellar magnetic rotational phase curves
Magnetized stars usually exhibit periodic variations of the effective(longitudinal) magnetic field Be caused by their rotation. Wepresent a catalog of magnetic rotational phase curves, Be vs.the rotational phase φ, and tables of their parameters for 136stars on the main sequence and above it. Phase curves were obtained bythe least squares fitting of sine wave or double wave functions to theavailable Be measurements, which were compiled from theexisting literature. Most of the catalogued objects are chemicallypeculiar A and B type stars (127 stars). For some stars we also improvedor determined periods of their rotation. We discuss the distribution ofparameters describing magnetic rotational phase curves in our sample.All tables and Appendix A are only available in electronic form athttp://www.edpsciences.org
| The primordial binary population. I. A near-infrared adaptive optics search for close visual companions to A star members of Scorpius OB2
We present the results of a near-infrared adaptive optics survey withthe aim to detect close companions to Hipparcos members in the threesubgroups of the nearby OB association Sco OB2: Upper Scorpius (US),Upper Centaurus Lupus (UCL) and Lower Centaurus Crux (LCC). We havetargeted 199 A-type and late B-type stars in the KS band, anda subset also in the J and H band. We find 151 stellar components otherthan the target stars. A brightness criterion is used to separate thesecomponents into 77 background stars and 74 candidate physical companionstars. Out of these 74 candidate companions, 41 have not been reportedbefore (14 in US; 13 in UCL; 14 in LCC). The angular separation betweenprimaries and observed companion stars ranges from 0.22'' to 12.4''. Atthe mean distance of Sco OB2 (130 pc) this corresponds to a projectedseparation of 28.6 AU to 1612 AU. Absolute magnitudes are derived forall primaries and observed companions using the parallax andinterstellar extinction for each star individually. For each object wederive the mass from KS, assuming an age of 5 Myr for the USsubgroup, and 20 Myr for the UCL and LCC subgroups. Companion starmasses range from 0.10 Mȯ to 3.0 Mȯ. Themass ratio distribution follows f(q) = q-Γ withΓ=0.33, which excludes random pairing. No close (ρ ≤3.75'') companion stars or background stars are found in the magnituderange 12 mag≤ KS ≤ 14 mag. The lack of stars withthese properties cannot be explained by low-number statistics, and mayimply a lower limit on the companion mass of 0.1Mȯ. Close stellar components with KS >14mag are observed. If these components are very low-mass companion stars,a gap in the companion mass distribution might be present. The smallnumber of close low-mass companion stars could support theembryo-ejection formation scenario for brown dwarfs. Our findings arecompared with and complementary to visual, spectroscopic, andastrometric data on binarity in Sco OB2. We find an overall companionstar fraction of 0.52 in this association. This is a lower limit sincethe data from the observations and from literature are hampered byobservational biases and selection effects. This paper is the first steptoward our goal to derive the primordial binary population in Sco OB2.Full Table 1 is only available in electronic form athttp://www.edpsciences.orgBased on observations collected with the ADONIS instrument at theEuropean Southern Observatory, La Silla, Chile (65.H-0568(A) and67.D-0220(A)).
| Catalogue of averaged stellar effective magnetic fields. I. Chemically peculiar A and B type stars
This paper presents the catalogue and the method of determination ofaveraged quadratic effective magnetic fields < B_e > for 596 mainsequence and giant stars. The catalogue is based on measurements of thestellar effective (or mean longitudinal) magnetic field strengths B_e,which were compiled from the existing literature.We analysed the properties of 352 chemically peculiar A and B stars inthe catalogue, including Am, ApSi, He-weak, He-rich, HgMn, ApSrCrEu, andall ApSr type stars. We have found that the number distribution of allchemically peculiar (CP) stars vs. averaged magnetic field strength isdescribed by a decreasing exponential function. Relations of this typehold also for stars of all the analysed subclasses of chemicalpeculiarity. The exponential form of the above distribution function canbreak down below about 100 G, the latter value representingapproximately the resolution of our analysis for A type stars.Table A.1 and its references are 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/407/631 and Tables 3 to 9are only available in electronic form at http://www.edpsciences.org
| Some Comments on the Magnetic Braking of CP Stars
The low rotation velocities of magnetic CP stars are discussed.Arguments against the involvement of the magnetic field in the loss ofangular momentum are given: (1) the fields are not strong enough inyoung stars in the stage of evolution prior to the main sequence; (2)there is no significant statistical correlation between the magneticfield strength and the rotation period of CP stars; (3) stars with shortperiods have the highest fields; (4) a substantial number of stars withvery low magnetic fields (B e P>25 days, which form 12% of the total,probably lie at the edge of the velocity distribution for low massstars. All of these properties conflict with the hypothesis of magneticbraking of CP stars.
| Formation scenarios for the young stellar associations between galactic longitudes l = 280degr - 360degr
We investigate the spatial distribution, the space velocities and agedistribution of the pre-main sequence (PMS) stars belonging toOphiuchus, Lupus and Chamaeleon star-forming regions (SFRs), and of theyoung early-type star members of the Scorpius-Centaurus OB association.These young stellar associations extend over the galactic longituderange from 280degr to 360degr , and are at a distance interval ofaround 100 and 200 pc. This study is based on a compilation ofdistances, proper motions and radial velocities from the literature forthe kinematic properties, and of basic stellar data for the constructionof Hertzsprung-Russel diagrams. Although there was no well-known OBassociation in Chamaeleon, the distances and the proper motions of agroup of 21 B- and A-type stars, taken from the Hipparcos Catalogue,lead us to propose that they form a young association. We show that theyoung early-type stars of the OB associations and the PMS stars of theSFRs follow a similar spatial distribution, i.e., there is no separationbetween the low and the high-mass young stars. We find no difference inthe kinematics nor in the ages of these two populations studied.Considering not only the stars selected by kinematic criteria but thewhole sample of young early-type stars, the scattering of their propermotions is similar to that of the PMS stars and all the young starsexhibit a common direction of motion. The space velocities of theHipparcos PMS stars of each SFR are compatible with the mean values ofthe OB associations. The PMS stars in each SFR span a wide range of ages(from 1 to 20 Myr). The ages of the OB subgroups are 8-10 Myr for UpperScorpius (US), and 16-20 Myr for Upper Centaurus Lupus (UCL) and forLower Centaurus Crux (LCC). Thus, our results do not confirm that UCL isolder than the LCC association. Based on these results and theuncertainties associated with the age determination, we cannot say thatthere is indeed a difference in the age of the two populations. Weanalyze the different scenarios for the triggering of large-scalestar-formation that have been proposed up to now, and argue that mostprobably we are observing a spiral arm that passes close to the Sun. Thealignment of young stars and molecular clouds and the average velocityof the stars in the opposite direction to the Galactic rotation agreewith the expected behavior of star formation in nearby spiral arms.Tables 1 to 4 are 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/404/913
| Spatial Distribution of Magnetic CP Stars
The spatial distribution of magnetic CP stars is studied using thecatalog of CP stars compiled by the Special Astrophysical Observatory ofthe Russian Academy of Sciences. It is shown that the overwhelmingmajority of these objects are at distances closer than 500 pc from thesun. The axes of rotation and the magnetic axes of the field CP starsare distributed randomly, while a preferential orientation of themagnetic axes in certain directions is seen for stars that are membersof open clusters. The closeness of the magnetic models for CP stars thatare members of clusters may be evidence that there is a general factorwhich influences the origin of magnetic fields in stars. The magneticfield of the galaxy may be such a factor.
| Merged catalogue of reflection nebulae
Several catalogues of reflection nebulae are merged to create a uniformcatalogue of 913 objects. It contains revised coordinates,cross-identifications of nebulae and stars, as well as identificationswith IRAS point sources.The catalogue is 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/399/141
| A statistical analysis of the magnetic structure of CP stars
We present the results of a statistical study of the magnetic structureof upper main sequence chemically peculiar stars. We have modelled asample of 34 stars, assuming that the magnetic morphology is describedby the superposition of a dipole and a quadrupole field, arbitrarilyoriented. In order to interpret the modelling results, we haveintroduced a novel set of angles that provides one with a convenient wayto represent the mutual orientation of the quadrupolar component, thedipolar component, and the rotation axis. Some of our results aresimilar to what has already been found in previous studies, e.g., thatthe inclination of the dipole axis to the rotation axis is usually largefor short-period stars and small for long-period ones - see Landstreet& Mathys (\cite{Landstreet2000}). We also found that forshort-period stars (approximately P<10 days) the plane containing thetwo unit vectors that characterise the quadrupole is almost coincidentwith the plane containing the stellar rotation axis and the dipole axis.Long-period stars seem to be preferentially characterised by aquadrupole orientation such that the planes just mentioned areperpendicular. There is also some loose indication of a continuoustransition between the two classes of stars with increasing rotationalperiod.
| Investigation of Weakly Magnetic CP Stars. I
The magnetic fields of a sample of chemically peculiar stars, in whichthey had not been detected earlier, are reinvestigated on the basis ofour own measurements and literature data. Despite the considerablyhigher measurement accuracy, again no magnetic fields were detected inany of them. An upper limit on the field of HD 10221 of 40 G wasobtained. Despite the weakness of the fields, the parameterscharacterizing an anomaly in chemical composition correspond to thosefor strong fields. The same parameters in stars with strong fieldsgenerally correspond in value, although they are lower than expected inthe case of HD 47152.
| Astrometric radial velocities. III. Hipparcos measurements of nearby star clusters and associations
Radial motions of stars in nearby moving clusters are determined fromaccurate proper motions and trigonometric parallaxes, without any use ofspectroscopy. Assuming that cluster members share the same velocityvector (apart from a random dispersion), we apply a maximum-likelihoodmethod on astrometric data from Hipparcos to compute radial and spacevelocities (and their dispersions) in the Ursa Major, Hyades, ComaBerenices, Pleiades, and Praesepe clusters, and for theScorpius-Centaurus, alpha Persei, and ``HIP 98321'' associations. Theradial motion of the Hyades cluster is determined to within 0.4 kms-1 (standard error), and that of its individual stars towithin 0.6 km s-1. For other clusters, Hipparcos data yieldastrometric radial velocities with typical accuracies of a few kms-1. A comparison of these astrometric values withspectroscopic radial velocities in the literature shows a good generalagreement and, in the case of the best-determined Hyades cluster, alsopermits searches for subtle astrophysical differences, such as evidencefor enhanced convective blueshifts of F-dwarf spectra, and decreasedgravitational redshifts in giants. Similar comparisons for the ScorpiusOB2 complex indicate some expansion of its associations, albeit slowerthan expected from their ages. As a by-product from the radial-velocitysolutions, kinematically improved parallaxes for individual stars areobtained, enabling Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams with unprecedentedaccuracy in luminosity. For the Hyades (parallax accuracy 0.3 mas), itsmain sequence resembles a thin line, possibly with wiggles in it.Although this main sequence has underpopulated regions at certaincolours (previously suggested to be ``Böhm-Vitense gaps''), suchare not visible for other clusters, and are probably spurious. Futurespace astrometry missions carry a great potential for absoluteradial-velocity determinations, insensitive to the complexities ofstellar spectra. Based on observations by the ESA Hipparcos satellite.Extended versions of Tables \ref{tab1} and \ref{tab2} are available inelectronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr(130.79.125.8) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/381/446
| On the Periods of the Magnetic CP Stars
An HR diagram annotated to show several ranges of photometericallydetermined periods has been constructed for the magnetic CP stars whoseperiods have been determined by the author and his collaborators. Thedistribution of periods reflects both the initial conditions as well asthe subsequent stellar histories. Since the stellar magnetic field doesnot penetrate the convective core, eventually a shear zone near thecore-radiative envelope boundary may develop which produces turbulenceand modifies the field. Many, but not all, of the most rapidly rotatingmCP stars are close to the ZAMS and some of the least rapidly rotatingmCP stars are the furthest from the ZAMS.
| Physical Conditions in the Foreground Gas of Reflection Nebulae: NGC 2023, vdB 102, and NGC 7023
High-resolution optical spectra of HD 37903 and HD 147009, whichilluminate the reflection nebulae NGC 2023 and vdB 102, were obtainedfor comparison with our results for HD 200775 and NGC 7023. Ground-basedmeasurements of the molecules CH, C2, and CN and the atoms NaI and K I were analyzed to extract physical conditions in the foregroundcloud. Estimates of the gas density, gas temperature, and flux ofultraviolet radiation were derived and were compared with the resultsfrom infrared and radio studies of the main molecular cloud. Theconditions are similar to those found in studies of diffuse clouds. Theforeground material is less dense than the gas in the molecular cloudbehind the star(s). The gas temperature was set at 40 K, the temperaturedetermined for the foreground gas in NGC 7023. The flux of ultravioletradiation was found to be less intense than in the molecular materialbehind the star(s). The column densities of Na I and K I were reproducedreasonably well when the extinction curve for the specific line of sightwas adopted. We obtained NEWSIPS data from the IUE archive for HD 37903and HD 200775. The ultraviolet data on C I and CO allow extraction ofthe physical conditions by alternate methods. General agreement amongthe various diagnostics was found, leading to self-consistent picturesof the foreground photodissociation regions. An appendix describeschecks on the usefulness of IUE NEWSIPS data for interstellar studies.Equivalent widths are compared with a previous analysis of IUEobservations for interstellar gas toward 20 Aql. Excellent agreement isfound with NEWSIPS results having smaller errors. A comparison ofNEWSIPS data for C I toward X Per with data acquired with the HubbleSpace Telescope shows similar levels of agreement in equivalent widthsand that the derived column densities from IUE results are accurate tobetter than a factor of 2 for absorption lines of moderate strength.
| Magnetic AP Stars in the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
The evolutionary state of magnetic Ap stars is rediscussed using therecently released Hipparcos data. The distribution of the magnetic Apstars of mass below 3 Msolar in the H-R diagram differs fromthat of the normal stars in the same temperature range at a high levelof significance. Magnetic stars are concentrated toward the center ofthe main-sequence band. This is shown in two forms of the H-R diagram:one where logL is plotted against logTeff and a version moredirectly tied to the observed quantities, showing the astrometry-basedluminosity (Arenou & Luri) against the (B2-G)0 index ofGeneva photometry. In particular, it is found that magnetic fieldsappear only in stars that have already completed at least approximately30% of their main-sequence lifetime. No clear picture emerges as to thepossible evolution of the magnetic field across the main sequence. Hintsof some (loose) relations between magnetic field strength and otherstellar parameters are found: stars with shorter periods tend to havestronger fields, as do higher temperature and higher mass stars. Amarginal trend of the magnetic flux to be lower in more slowly rotatingstars may possibly be seen as suggesting a dynamo origin for the field.No correlation between the rotation period and the fraction of themain-sequence lifetime completed is observed, indicating that the slowrotation in these stars must already have been achieved before theybecame observably magnetic. Based on data from the ESA Hipparcossatellite and on observations collected at the European SouthernObservatory (La Silla, Chile; ESO programs Nos. 43.7-004, 44.7-012,49.7-030, 50.7-067, 51.7-041, 52.7-063, 53.7-028, 54.E-0416, and55.E-0751), at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence (Saint-Michell'Observatoire, France), at Kitt Peak National Observatory, and at theCanada-France-Hawaii Telescope.
| Suprathermal rotation of PAHs in the ISM II. Observational evidence for the rotational broadening of lambda 5797 DIB in reflection nebulae - implication for the carrier size
In a previous paper, we described a model which can explain thelambda5797 diffuse interstellar band (DIB) profile as seen in absorptionin the diffuse interstellar medium and in emission in the Red Rectangle(RR), as a rotational envelope of electronic transitions where themolecular carrier is a free PAH of size ~ 40 atoms. One of the strongestpredictions is the behaviour of the rotational temperature of PAH in thecase of regions rich in UV such as Reflection Nebulae: it must besuprathermal with respect to the gas temperature but clamped to ~ 100 Kfor any PAH size. The width of the DIB, in such regions, can then bebroader than in the classical ISM (T_rot ~ 30 K) if the values of themolecular transition are favorable. In order to test this prediction, wehave obtained high resolution spectra of 27 reddened early type stars,mostly in reflection nebulae, in order to compare their lambda 5797 DIBwidth to those of stars in classical diffuse interstellar medium. Thesespectra were made for several DIBs such as lambda 5797, lambda6379 andlambda6613 , with a spectral resolving power of about 60 000. Theanalysis of the results agrees with our predic tion since the width ofthe lambda 5797 DIB is broader in a majority of areas with strong UVradiation. Moreover, the broadening is not observed on DIBs lambda6379and lambda6613 , indicating that the molecular parameters of theelectronic transitions at the origin of the different DIBs are prettyvariable from one DIB to another and confirming that the measuredbroadening on lambda 5797 is not due to an instrumental bias. Thestatistical measurement of the lambda 5797 width in this medium permitsthe derivation of new constraints on the size of the carrier of thisDIB, a molecule that should have 30 to 45 carbon atoms if, as wepropose, it is indeed a PAH. Based on observations made at Observatoirede Haute Provence (CNRS), France.
| Modelling of magnetic fields of CP stars. II. Analysis of longitudinal field, crossover, and quadratic field observations
In recent years, the introduction and systematic application of newdiagnostic techniques has enormously increased the opportunities toinvestigate magnetic fields of chemically peculiar (CP) stars. Toapproach the problem of modelling these fields, in previous papers weset up a theory aimed at describing the magnetic configuration due tothe superposition of a dipole with an arbitrary quadrupole. The presentwork is a first application of this theory to spectro-polarimetricobservations of Stokes I and V. We have attempted to model nine magneticCP stars by analysing their curves of longitudinal field, crossover andquadratic field. We found that the classical dipolar model is adequatein only one case, while in six cases it should definitely be ruled out.For two stars a specific dipole plus quadrupole model has beenrecovered.
| A HIPPARCOS Census of the Nearby OB Associations
A comprehensive census of the stellar content of the OB associationswithin 1 kpc from the Sun is presented, based on Hipparcos positions,proper motions, and parallaxes. It is a key part of a long-term projectto study the formation, structure, and evolution of nearby young stellargroups and related star-forming regions. OB associations are unbound``moving groups,'' which can be detected kinematically because of theirsmall internal velocity dispersion. The nearby associations have a largeextent on the sky, which traditionally has limited astrometricmembership determination to bright stars (V<~6 mag), with spectraltypes earlier than ~B5. The Hipparcos measurements allow a majorimprovement in this situation. Moving groups are identified in theHipparcos Catalog by combining de Bruijne's refurbished convergent pointmethod with the ``Spaghetti method'' of Hoogerwerf & Aguilar.Astrometric members are listed for 12 young stellar groups, out to adistance of ~650 pc. These are the three subgroups Upper Scorpius, UpperCentaurus Lupus, and Lower Centaurus Crux of Sco OB2, as well as VelOB2, Tr 10, Col 121, Per OB2, alpha Persei (Per OB3), Cas-Tau, Lac OB1,Cep OB2, and a new group in Cepheus, designated as Cep OB6. Theselection procedure corrects the list of previously known astrometricand photometric B- and A-type members in these groups and identifiesmany new members, including a significant number of F stars, as well asevolved stars, e.g., the Wolf-Rayet stars gamma^2 Vel (WR 11) in Vel OB2and EZ CMa (WR 6) in Col 121, and the classical Cepheid delta Cep in CepOB6. Membership probabilities are given for all selected stars. MonteCarlo simulations are used to estimate the expected number of interloperfield stars. In the nearest associations, notably in Sco OB2, thelater-type members include T Tauri objects and other stars in the finalpre-main-sequence phase. This provides a firm link between the classicalhigh-mass stellar content and ongoing low-mass star formation. Detailedstudies of these 12 groups, and their relation to the surroundinginterstellar medium, will be presented elsewhere. Astrometric evidencefor moving groups in the fields of R CrA, CMa OB1, Mon OB1, Ori OB1, CamOB1, Cep OB3, Cep OB4, Cyg OB4, Cyg OB7, and Sct OB2, is inconclusive.OB associations do exist in many of these regions, but they are eitherat distances beyond ~500 pc where the Hipparcos parallaxes are oflimited use, or they have unfavorable kinematics, so that the groupproper motion does not distinguish it from the field stars in theGalactic disk. The mean distances of the well-established groups aresystematically smaller than the pre-Hipparcos photometric estimates.While part of this may be caused by the improved membership lists, arecalibration of the upper main sequence in the Hertzsprung-Russelldiagram may be called for. The mean motions display a systematicpattern, which is discussed in relation to the Gould Belt. Six of the 12detected moving groups do not appear in the classical list of nearby OBassociations. This is sometimes caused by the absence of O stars, but inother cases a previously known open cluster turns out to be (part of) anextended OB association. The number of unbound young stellar groups inthe solar neighborhood may be significantly larger than thoughtpreviously.
| On the HIPPARCOS photometry of chemically peculiar B, A, and F stars
The Hipparcos photometry of the Chemically Peculiar main sequence B, A,and F stars is examined for variability. Some non-magnetic CP stars,Mercury-Manganese and metallic-line stars, which according to canonicalwisdom should not be variable, may be variable and are identified forfurther study. Some potentially important magnetic CP stars are noted.Tables 1, 2, and 3 are available only in electronic form at the CDS viaanonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html
| The Scorpius OB2 Complex
The Sco OB2 complex is a member of the Local Association. Theassociation contains pre-main-sequence stars in addition to objects some3 x 10^7 yr old. If it is assumed that stars in wide binaries arecoeval, then the He-weak variables in the supercluster arepre-main-sequence, elevated above that sequence by an amount similar tothat of the 3 x 10^7 yr old, normal stars but contracting toward thesequence, not evolving from it. The apparent great depth of theassociation is probably a result of some foreground superclustermembers, superposed on Sco OB2, and a rift in the absorption cloudbetween Scorpius and Ophiuchus. The adjoining Chamaeleon complex alsoappears to be a member of the supercluster.
| The HR-diagram from HIPPARCOS data. Absolute magnitudes and kinematics of BP - AP stars
The HR-diagram of about 1000 Bp - Ap stars in the solar neighbourhoodhas been constructed using astrometric data from Hipparcos satellite aswell as photometric and radial velocity data. The LM method\cite{luri95,luri96} allows the use of proper motion and radial velocitydata in addition to the trigonometric parallaxes to obtain luminositycalibrations and improved distances estimates. Six types of Bp - Apstars have been examined: He-rich, He-weak, HgMn, Si, Si+ and SrCrEu.Most Bp - Ap stars lie on the main sequence occupying the whole width ofit (about 2 mag), just like normal stars in the same range of spectraltypes. Their kinematic behaviour is typical of thin disk stars youngerthan about 1 Gyr. A few stars found to be high above the galactic planeor to have a high velocity are briefly discussed. Based on data from theESA Hipparcos astrometry satellite and photometric data collected in theGeneva system at ESO, La Silla (Chile) and at Jungfraujoch andGornergrat Observatories (Switzerland). Tables 3 and 4 are onlyavailable in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp tocdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html
| Near infrared light variations of CP stars. The SiSrCrEu stars
Twelve magnetic Chemically Peculiar (CP2) stars of the SiSrCrEu subgroupmostly brighter than the 7.5 visual magnitude have been investigated inthe infrared at 1.25, 1.6 and 2.2 mu . The stars HD 74521, HD 90044, HD119419, HD 125630, and HD 187473 are clearly variable in the nearinfrared with the same period as the visible light, spectrum, andmagnetic field variations. The stars HD 10783, HD 12447, HD 116458, HD147010, HD 166469, HD 170397, and HD 223640 do show a smaller amount ofvariability, although with quite large a dispersion of the data. Aremarkable result of the present investigation is that, at least for thestars for which contemporaneous observations are available, the observedinfrared variations appear to be in phase with the variations in thelong wavelength part of the visible. This may be an indication that themechanism of the infrared variations should be the same as for thevisible. Based on observations collected at the European SouthernObservatory, La Silla, Chile.
| Do SI stars undergo any rotational braking?
The old question of rotational braking of Ap Si stars is revisited onthe empirical side, taking advantage of the recent Hipparcos results.Field stars with various evolutionary states are considered, and it isshown that the loose correlation between their rotational period andtheir surface gravity is entirely compatible with conservation ofangular momentum. No evidence is found for any loss of angular momentumon the Main Sequence, which confirms earlier results based on lessreliable estimates of surface gravity. The importance of reliable,fundamental T_eff determinations of Bp and Ap stars is emphasized. Basedon data from the ESA Hipparcos satellite
| On the near infrared variability of chemically peculiar stars
Some CP stars have recently been discovered by Catalano et al. to bevariable also in the near infrared, although with smaller amplitudesthan in the visible. Hence an observational campaign was started inwhich the infrared light variability of a number of CP2 and CP4 starshas been investigated at the ESO-La Silla Observatory in the bands J, H,and K. As a general result, infrared variations show the same behaviorin all three filters but amplitudes are smaller than in the visible.
| The observed periods of AP and BP stars
A catalogue of all the periods up to now proposed for the variations ofCP2, CP3, and CP4 stars is presented. The main identifiers (HD and HR),the proper name, the variable-star name, and the spectral type andpeculiarity are given for each star as far as the coordinates at 2000.0and the visual magnitude. The nature of the observed variations (light,spectrum, magnetic field, etc.) is presented in a codified way. Thecatalogue is arranged in three tables: the bulk of the data, i.e. thosereferring to CP2, CP3, and CP4 stars, are given in Table 1, while thedata concerning He-strong stars are given in Table 2 and those foreclipsing or ellipsoidal variables are collected in Table 3. Notes arealso provided at the end of each table, mainly about duplicities. Thecatalogue contains data on 364 CP stars and is updated to 1996, October31. This research has made use of the SIMBAD database, operated at CDS,Strasbourg, France.
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Osservazione e dati astrometrici
| Costellazione: | Scorpione |
| Ascensione retta: | 16h20m05.49s |
| Declinazione: | -20°03'23.0" |
| Magnitudine apparente: | 7.375 |
| Distanza: | 143.266 parsec |
| Moto proprio RA: | -11.8 |
| Moto proprio Dec: | -25.3 |
| B-T magnitude: | 7.532 |
| V-T magnitude: | 7.388 |
Cataloghi e designazioni:
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