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HD 208960


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Galactic abundance gradients from Cepheids. On the iron abundance gradient around 10-12 kpc
Context: Classical Cepheids are excellent tracers of intermediate-massstars, since their distances can be estimated with very high accuracy.In particular, they can be adopted to trace the chemical evolution ofthe Galactic disk. Aims: Homogeneous iron abundance measurements for 33Galactic Cepheids located in the outer disk together with accuratedistance determinations based on near-infrared photometry are adopted toconstrain the Galactic iron gradient beyond 10 kpc. Methods: Ironabundances were determined using high resolution Cepheid spectracollected with three different observational instruments: ESPaDOnS@CFHT,Narval@TBL and FEROS@2.2m ESO/MPG telescope. Cepheid distances wereestimated using near-infrared (J,H,K-band) period-luminosity relationsand data from SAAO and the 2MASS catalog. Results: The least squaressolution over the entire data set indicates that the iron gradient inthe Galactic disk presents a slope of -0.052±0.003 textrm {dexkpc}-1 in the 5-17 kpc range. However, the change of the ironabundance across the disk seems to be better described by a linearregime inside the solar circle and a flattening of the gradient towardthe outer disk (beyond 10 kpc). In the latter region the iron gradientpresents a shallower slope, i.e. -0.012±0.014 textrm {dexkpc}-1. In the outer disk (10-12 kpc) we also found thatCepheids present an increase in the spread in iron abundance. Currentevidence indicates that the spread in metallicity depends on theGalactocentric longitude. Finally, current data do not support thehypothesis of a discontinuity in the iron gradient at Galactocentricdistances of 10-12 kpc. Conclusions: The occurrence of a spread in ironabundance as a function of the Galactocentric longitude indicates thatlinear radial gradients should be cautiously treated to constrain thechemical evolution across the disk.

The Cepheid Phase Lag Revisited
We compute the phase lags between the radial velocity curves and thelight curvesΔΦ1=φVr1-φmag1for classical Cepheid model sequences both in the linear and thenonlinear regimes. The nonlinear phase lags generally fall below thelinear ones except for high-period models, in which they lie above, andof course for low pulsation amplitudes, in which the two merge. Thecalculated phase lags show good agreement with the availableobservational data of normal amplitude Galactic Cepheids. Themetallicity has but a moderate effect on the phase lag, while themass-luminosity relation and the parameters of the turbulent convectivemodel (time-dependent mixing length) mainly influence the modalselection and the period, which is then reflected in theperiod-ΔΦ1 diagram. We discuss the potentialapplication of this observable as a discriminant for pulsation modes andas a test for ultralow-amplitude (ULA) pulsation.

Cepheid parallaxes and the Hubble constant
Revised Hipparcos parallaxes for classical Cepheids are analysedtogether with 10 Hubble Space Telescope (HST)-based parallaxes. In areddening-free V, I relation we find that the coefficient of logP is thesame within the uncertainties in our Galaxy as in the Large MagellanicCloud (LMC), contrary to some previous suggestions. Cepheids in theinner region of NGC4258 with near solar metallicities confirm thisresult. We obtain a zero-point for the reddening-free relation and applyit to the Cepheids in galaxies used by Sandage et al. to calibrate theabsolute magnitudes of Type Ia supernova (SNIa) and to derive the Hubbleconstant. We revise their result for H0 from 62 to 70 +/-5kms-1Mpc-1. The Freedman et al. value is revisedfrom 72 to 76 +/- 8kms-1Mpc-1. These results areinsensitive to Cepheid metallicity corrections. The Cepheids in theinner region of NGC4258 yield a modulus of 29.22 +/- 0.03 (int.)compared with a maser-based modulus of 29.29 +/- 0.15. Distance modulifor the LMC, uncorrected for any metallicity effects, are 18.52 +/- 0.03from a reddening-free relation in V, I; 18.47 +/- 0.03 from aperiod-luminosity relation at K; 18.45 +/- 0.04 from aperiod-luminosity-colour relation in J, K. Adopting a metallicitycorrection in V, I from Macri et al. leads to a true LMC modulus of18.39 +/- 0.05.

The Distribution of the Elements in the Galactic Disk
This paper reports on the spectroscopic investigation of 54 Cepheids,deriving parameters and abundances. These Cepheids extend previoussamples by about 35% in number and increase the amount of the Galacticdisk coverage, especially in the direction of l~120deg. Wefind that there exists in the Galactic disk at that longitude and at asolar distance of about 3-4 kpc a region that has enhanced abundances,~+0.2, with respect to the local region. A simple linearfit to all Cepheid data now extant yields a gradientd[Fe/H]/dRG=-0.068+/-0.003 dex kpc-1. Afterconsideration of the spatial abundance inhomogeneities in the sample, weconclude that the best current estimate of the overall gradient isd[Fe/H]/dRG=-0.06 dex kpc-1.

Pulkovo compilation of radial velocities for 35495 stars in a common system.
Not Available

Mean Angular Diameters and Angular Diameter Amplitudes of Bright Cepheids
We predict mean angular diameters and amplitudes of angular diametervariations for all monoperiodic PopulationI Cepheids brighter than=8.0 mag. The catalog is intended to aid selecting mostpromising Cepheid targets for future interferometric observations.

Sodium enrichment of the stellar atmospheres. II. Galactic Cepheids
The present paper is a continuation of our study of the sodium abundancein supergiant atmospheres (Andrievsky et al. 2002a). We present theresults on the NLTE abundance determination in Cepheids, and the derivedrelation between the sodium overabundance and their masses.

Two Period-Radius Relations for Classical Cepheids: Determining the Pulsation Mode and the Distance Scale
Not Available

Using Cepheids to determine the galactic abundance gradient. I. The solar neighbourhood
A number of studies of abundance gradients in the galactic disk havebeen performed in recent years. The results obtained are ratherdisparate: from no detectable gradient to a rather significant slope ofabout -0.1 dex kpc-1. The present study concerns theabundance gradient based on the spectroscopic analysis of a sample ofclassical Cepheids. These stars enable one to obtain reliable abundancesof a variety of chemical elements. Additionally, they have welldetermined distances which allow an accurate determination of abundancedistributions in the galactic disc. Using 236 high resolution spectra of77 galactic Cepheids, the radial elemental distribution in the galacticdisc between galactocentric distances in the range 6-11 kpc has beeninvestigated. Gradients for 25 chemical elements (from carbon togadolinium) are derived. The following results were obtained in thisstudy. Almost all investigated elements show rather flat abundancedistributions in the middle part of galactic disc. Typical values foriron-group elements lie within an interval from ~-0.02 to ~-0.04 dexkpc-1 (in particular, for iron we obtainedd[Fe/H]/dRG =-0.029 dex kpc-1). Similar gradientswere also obtained for O, Mg, Al, Si, and Ca. For sulphur we have founda steeper gradient (-0.05 dex kpc-1). For elements from Zr toGd we obtained (within the error bars) a near to zero gradient value.This result is reported for the first time. Those elements whoseabundance is not expected to be altered during the early stellarevolution (e.g. the iron-group elements) show at the solargalactocentric distance [El/H] values which are essentially solar.Therefore, there is no apparent reason to consider our Sun as ametal-rich star. The gradient values obtained in the present studyindicate that the radial abundance distribution within 6-11 kpc is quitehomogeneous, and this result favors a galactic model including a barstructure which may induce radial flows in the disc, and thus may beresponsible for abundance homogenization. Based on spectra collected atMcDonald - USA, SAORAS - Russia, KPNO - USA, CTIO - Chile, MSO -Australia, OHP - France. Full Table 1 is only available in electronicform at http://www.edpsciences.org Table A1 (Appendix) is only, andTable 2 also, available in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftpto cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/381/32

Spectroscopic investigations of classical Cepheids and main-sequence stars in galactic open clusters and associations. I. Association Cas OB2 and the small-amplitude Cepheid SU Cassiopeae
The small-amplitude Cepheid SU Cas and four membersof the association Cas OB2 (HD 16893, HD17327a and b, HD 17443) were investigated,using high-resolution CCD spectra. The following results were obtained:1) All these objects have the same metallicity values, close to that ofthe Sun; 2) Elemental abundance indicates that SU Cas is a post firstdredge-up star with an age from 1 108 to 1.45 108yr, and it is not crossing the Cepheid instability strip for the firsttime. The mean value of log g = 2.35 corresponds to pulsations in thefundamental tone, although errors in gravity estimations provideovertone pulsations. The questions about its pulsational mode andmembership in Cas OB2 remained open; 3) HD17327a is a slowly rotating HgMn-star with the highest heliumcontent among such objects, while HD 16893 also has a manganeseoverabundance and might be classified as an Am-star; 4) HD17327b and HD 17443 are rapidly rotating main-sequence stars,while HD 17443 has a helium content comparable with that of the Sun.

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.

Galactic Cepheids. Catalogue of light-curve parameters and distances
We report a new version of the catalogue of distances and light-curveparameters for Galactic classical Cepheids. The catalogue listsamplitudes, magnitudes at maximum light, and intensity means for 455stars in BVRI filters of the Johnson system and (RI)_C filters of theCron-Cousins system. The distances are based on our new multicolour setof PL relations and on our Cepheid-based solution for interstellarextinction law parameters and are referred to an LMC distance modulus of18.25. The catalogue is only available in electronic form at the CDS viaanonymous ftp (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html

Multi-colour PL-relations of Cepheids in the bt HIPPARCOS catalogue and the distance to the LMC
We analyse a sample of 236 Cepheids from the hipparcos catalog, usingthe method of ``reduced parallaxes'' in V, I, K and the reddening-free``Wesenheit-index''. We compare our sample to those considered by Feast& Catchpole (1997) and Lanoix et al. (1999), and argue that oursample is the most carefully selected one with respect to completeness,the flagging of overtone pulsators, and the removal of Cepheids that mayinfluence the analyses for various reasons (double-mode Cepheids,unreliable hipparcos solutions, possible contaminated photometry due tobinary companions). From numerical simulations, and confirmed by theobserved parallax distribution, we derive a (vertical) scale height ofCepheids of 70 pc, as expected for a population of 3-10 Msunstars. This has consequences for Malmquist- and Lutz-Kelker (Lutz &Kelker 1973, Oudmaijer et al. 1998) type corrections which are smallerfor a disk population than for a spherical population. The V and I datasuggest that the slope of the Galactic PL-relations may be shallowerthan that observed for LMC Cepheids, either for the whole period range,or that there is a break at short periods (near log P_0 ~ 0.7-0.8). Westress the importance of two systematic effects which influence thedistance to the LMC: the slopes of the Galactic PL-relations andmetallicity corrections. In order to assess the influence of thesevarious effects, we present 27 distance moduli (DM) to the LMC. Theseare based on three different colours (V,I,K), three different slopes(the slope observed for Cepheids in the LMC, a shallower slope predictedfrom one set of theoretical models, and a steeper slope as derived forGalactic Cepheids from the surface-brightness technique), and threedifferent metallicity corrections (no correction as predicted by one setof theoretical models, one implying larger DM as predicted by anotherset of theoretical models, and one implying shorter DM based onempirical evidence). We derive DM between 18.45 +/- 0.18 and 18.86 +/-0.12. The DM based on K are shorter than those based on V and I andrange from 18.45 +/- 0.18 to 18.62 +/- 0.19, but the DM in K could besystematically too low by about 0.1 magnitude because of a bias due tothe fact that NIR photometry is available only for a limited number ofstars. From the Wesenheit-index we derive a DM of 18.60 +/- 0.11,assuming the observed slope of LMC Cepheids and no metallicitycorrection, for want of more information. The DM to the LMC based on theparallax data can be summarised as follows. Based on the PL-relation inV and I, and the Wesenheit-index, the DM is 18.60 ± 0.11(± 0.08 slope)(^{+0.08}_{-0.15} ;metallicity), which is ourcurrent best estimate. Based on the PL-relation in K the DM is ;;;;18.52 +/- 0.18 (± 0.03 ;slope) (± 0.06 ;metallicity)(^{+0.10}_{-0} ;sampling ;bias). The random error is mostly due to thegiven accuracy of the hipparcos parallaxes and the number of Cepheids inthe respective samples. The terms between parentheses indicate thepossible systematic uncertainties due to the slope of the GalacticPL-relations, the metallicity corrections, and in the K-band, due to thelimited number of stars. Recent work by Sandage et al. (1999) indicatesthat the effect of metallicity towards shorter distances may be smallerin V and I than indicated here. From this, we point out the importanceof obtaining NIR photometry for more (closeby) Cepheids, as for themoment NIR photometry is only available for 27% of the total sample.This would eliminate the possible bias due to the limited number ofstars, and would reduce the random error estimate from 0.18 to about0.10 mag. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the DM to reddening,metallicity correction and slope are smallest in the K-band. Based ondata from the ESA HP astrometry satellite.

Direct calibration of the Cepheid period-luminosity relation
After the first release of Hipparcos data, Feast & Catchpole gave anew value for the zero-point of the visual Cepheid period-luminosityrelation, based on trigonometric parallaxes. Because of the largeuncertainties on these parallaxes, the way in which individualmeasurements are weighted is of crucial importance. We thereforeconclude that the choice of the best weighting system can be aided by aMonte Carlo simulation. On the basis of such a simulation, it is shownthat (i) a cut-off in π or in σ_ππ introduces a strongbias; (ii) the zero-point is more stable when only the brightestCepheids are used; and (iii) the Feast & Catchpole weighting givesthe best zero-point and the lowest dispersion. After correction, theadopted visual period-luminosity relation is=-2.77logP-1.44+/-0.05. Moreover, we extend this study to thephotometric I band (Cousins) and obtain=-3.05logP-1.81+/-0.09.

I- and JHK-band photometry of classical Cepheids in the HIPPARCOS catalog
By correlating the \cite[Fernie et al. (1995)]{F95} electronic databaseon Cepheids with the ``resolved variable catalog'' of the hipparcosmission and the simbad catalog one finds that there are 280 Cepheids inthe hipparcos catalog. By removing W Vir stars (Type ii Cepheids),double-mode Cepheids, Cepheids with an unreliable solution in thehipparcos catalog, and stars without photometry, it turns out that thereare 248 classical Cepheids left, of which 32 are classified asfirst-overtone pulsators. For these stars the literature was searchedfor I-band and near-infrared data. Intensity-mean I-band photometry onthe Cousins system is derived for 189 stars, and intensity-mean JHK dataon the Carter system is presented for 69 stars.

Structural properties of s-Cepheid velocity curves Constraining the location of the omega_4 = 2omega_1 resonance
The light curves of the first overtone Pop. I Cepheids (s-Cepheids) showa discontinuity in their phi_ {21} vs. {P} diagram, near {P} = 3.2 day.This feature, commonly attributed to the 2:1 resonance between the firstand the fourth overtones (omega_4 ~ 2omega_1 ), is not reproduced by thehydrodynamical models. With the goal of reexamining the resonancehypothesis, we have obtained new CORAVEL radial velocity curves for 14overtone Cepheids. Together with 10 objects of Krzyt et al.( te{krzyt}), the combined sample covers the whole range of overtoneCepheid periods. The velocity Fourier parameters display a strongcharacteristic resonant behavior. In striking contrast to photometricones, they vary smoothly with the pulsation period and show no jump at3.2 day. The existing radiative hydrodynamical models match the velocityparameters very well. The center of the omega_4 = 2omega_1 resonance isestimated to occur at {P}r = 4.58\pm 0.04 day, i.e. at aperiod considerably longer than previously assumed (3.2 day). Weidentify two new members of the s-Cepheid group: MYPup and V440 Per. Based on observationscollected at the European Southern Observatory (La Silla, Chile) and atthe Observatoire de Haute-Provence (France)}

BA II lines as luminosity indicators: s-Cepheids and non-variable supergiants
Ba II line equivalent widths appear to be well correlated with theabsolute magnitudes for yellow supergiants. Two Ba II lines 5853.6Angstroms and 6141.7 Angstroms were applied for investigation of thepossible relation between their equivalent widths and Mv forsmall-amplitude Cepheids and non-variable supergiants.

UBV beta Database for Case-Hamburg Northern and Southern Luminous Stars
A database of photoelectric UBV beta photometry for stars listed in theCase-Hamburg northern and southern Milky Way luminous stars surveys hasbeen compiled from the original research literature. Consisting of over16,000 observations of some 7300 stars from over 500 sources, thisdatabase constitutes the most complete compilation of such photometryavailable for intrinsically luminous stars around the Galactic plane.Over 5000 stars listed in the Case-Hamburg surveys still lackfundamental photometric data.

Ba II line as Cepheid luminosity indicator. I
Ba II lines are proposed as luminosity indicators for yellowsupergiants. In particular, it is shown that equivalent width of BaII5853.6 line is well correlated with for sCepheids.

A catalog of Cepheid radial velocities measured in 1995-1998 with the correlation spectrometer.
Not Available

The radii of 62 classical Cepheids.
Not Available

Monitoring the Evolution of Cepheid Variables
Described here are preliminary results of a pilot project to monitorchanges in the ephemerides of northern hemisphere Cepheid's using anSBIG camera attached to the 0.4-m telescope of the campus obversatory atSaint Mary's University. Epochs of maximum light for fifteen Cepheid'shave been derived using published light curves for each variable astemplates, and the results are being used to update the O-C ephemeridesfor the program stars. Results for BB Her are presented here. Periodchanges for Cepheid variables are demonstrated to be an excellent meansof pinpointing their evolutionary status, as well as for investigatingother peculiarities of the class.

The chemical composition of the s-Cepheids. III.
The hypothesis about s-Cepheids' first time crossing of the instabilitystrip is checked by spectroscopic testing. On the basis of CCD spectraanalysis, we have derived the abundances for seven s-Cepheids. Thefollowing results have been obtained: 1) V473 Lyr, IR Cep, UY Mon, BYCas, V636 Cas have solar iron abundance, while V526 Mon and V924 Cygshow moderate iron deficiency. 2) The absolute carbon deficiency(relatively to the solar (C/H) value) found for all program stars(excepting V636 Cas) and a nitrogen overabundance show that theses-Cepheids are not crossing the instability strip for the first time. 3)Similarly to previously investigated Cepheid V1162 Aql, V636 Cas alsodemonstrates rather high carbon content. The plausible explanation ofthis phenomenon is that this star is crossing the instability strip forthe first time. 4) Na and Al are overabundant for all program starswhere these elements were measured. Sodium overabundance takes placealso for two first- time crossing Cepheids. Possibly such anoverabundance arises during the main-sequence phase. 5) α-elementsshow practically solar ratios with respect to Fe. 6) For iron-groupelements the (M/Fe) values are close to the solar ones. 7) s-processelements are perhaps slightly enhanced in the program stars. The resultsof the present paper are discussed together with the results of therecent paper by Andrievsky et al. (1996A&A...305..551A) devoted tos-Cepheids.

A catalog of Cepheid radial velocities measured in 1992-1995 with a correlation spectrometer.
Not Available

Mean radial velocities and binarity of Cepheids from 1987-1995 measurements.
Not Available

Photoelectric Observations of Cepheids in 1994
Not Available

Rotation Curve of the System of Classical Cepheids and the Distance to the Galactic Center
Not Available

New method to recognize s-Cepheids
A new method of delineating sinusoidal or s-Cepheids is presented. Themethos uses the values of (V) (the mean intensity), V - Bar (the averagemagnitude), and Vmean (the value of the mean magnitude).Fourier coefficient data from galactic Cepheids is used to derive theseterms in the V band and the differences between the various terms showsystematic trends with increasing period. The Cepheids can be easilygrouped into 3 divisions-short period s-Cepheids, intermediate periodCepheids (P less than 9 days), and long period Cepheids (P greater than9 days). Cepheids previously designated as s-Cepheids by others arecompared to those found using the method outlined here. The method isalso applied to Cepheids in the Small Magellanic Cloud to examine itssuitability as a pulsation mode discriminator.

Radial-velocity and light variations of IR Cephei
Radial-velocity observations of the short-period Cepheid, IR Cephei,have been used to derive a complete radial-velocity versus phase curvefor the variable, to investigate the presence of a possible binarycompanion, and to address the question of its membership in the CepheusOB2 association. The observations are consistent with the absence of aclose binary companion and shed doubt on its membership in theassociation. Photoelectric observations made with the Phoenix 10Automated Photometric Telescope confirm the single nature of the star.We present simulations to show the effects of an equiluminous companionon the light curve of a Cepheid, concluding that the light curve of IRCephei, whether or not it is corrected for a possible companion,exhibits the low-amplitude, sinusoidal variations characteristic of ans-type Cepheid.

Photoelectric observations of Cepheids in 1992
During August-September 1992, 1635 UBVR photometric observations for 74Cepheids were obtained with the 60-cm reflector of the Mt. MaidanakObservatory of the Tashkent Astronomical Institute. Tables ofobservations and plots of light curves are given. These observationstogether with previously published ones will be used to study the periodvariability of Cepheids and to determine their radii and light excesses.

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Observation and Astrometry data

Constellation:Cepheus
Right ascension:21h57m51.93s
Declination:+61°01'07.9"
Apparent magnitude:7.845
Distance:724.638 parsecs
Proper motion RA:-2.8
Proper motion Dec:-0.1
B-T magnitude:8.916
V-T magnitude:7.934

Catalogs and designations:
Proper Names
HD 1989HD 208960
TYCHO-2 2000TYC 4262-1009-1
USNO-A2.0USNO-A2 1500-08605641
HIPHIP 108426

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