Contents
Images
Upload your image
DSS Images Other Images
Related articles
Infrared Study of J-Type Carbon Stars Based on Infrared Astronomical Satellite, Two Micron All Sky Survey, and Infrared Space Observatory Data
We collected 113 J-type carbon stars from the published literature.Observations from 2MASS, IRAS, and ISO show that, except for silicatecarbon stars in the J-type carbon star domain, the infrared propertiesof the other J-type carbon stars are quite similar to those of ordinarycarbon stars. The above results imply that the chemical peculiarity ofenhanced 13C for J-type carbon stars is not reflected in theinfrared region. In addition, the possible evolutionary scenario andbinarity for J-type carbon stars are also discussed.
| Infrared photometry and evolution of mass-losing AGB stars. I. Carbon stars revisited
As part of a reanalysis of galactic Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) starsat infrared (IR) wavelengths, we discuss a sample (357) of carbon starsfor which mass loss rates, near-IR photometry and distance estimatesexist. For 252 sources we collected mid-IR fluxes from the MSX (6C) andthe ISO-SWS catalogues. Most stars have spectral energy distributions upto 21 μm, and some (1/3) up to 45 μm. This wide wavelengthcoverage allows us to obtain reliable bolometric magnitudes. Theproperties of our sample are discussed with emphasis on ~70 stars withastrometric distances. We show that mid-IR fluxes are crucial toestimate the magnitude of stars with dusty envelopes. We construct HRdiagrams and show that the luminosities agree fairly well with modelpredictions based on the Schwarzschild's criterion, contrary to what iswidely argued in the literature. A problem with the brightness of Cstars does not appear to exist. From the relative number of Mira andSemiregular C-variables, we argue that the switch between these classesis unlikely to be connected to thermal pulses. The relevance of the twopopulations varies with the evolution, with Miras dominating the finalstages. We also analyze mass loss rates, which increase for increasingluminosity, but with a spread that probably results from a dependence ona number of parameters (like e.g. different stellar masses and differentmechanisms powering stellar winds). Instead, mass loss rates are wellmonitored by IR colours, especially if extended to 20 μm and beyond,where AGB envelopes behave like black bodies. From these colours theevolutionary status of various classes of C stars is discussed.
| The mass loss of C-rich giants
The mass loss rates, expansion velocities and dust-to-gas density ratiosfrom millimetric observations of 119 carbon-rich giants are compared, asfunctions of stellar parameters, to the predictions of recenthydrodynamical models. Distances and luminosities previously estimatedfrom HIPPARCOS data, masses from pulsations and C/O abundance ratiosfrom spectroscopy, and effective temperatures from a new homogeneousscale, are used. Predicted and observed mass loss rates agree fairlywell, as functions of effective temperature. The signature of the massrange M≤4 Mȯ of most carbon-rich AGB stars is seenas a flat portion in the diagram of mass loss rate vs. effectivetemperature. It is flanked by two regions of mass loss rates increasingwith decreasing effective temperature at nearly constant stellar mass.Four stars with detached shells, i.e. episodic strong mass loss, andfive cool infrared carbon-rich stars with optically-thick dust shells,have mass loss rates much larger than predicted values. The latter(including CW Leo) could be stars of smaller masses (M≃ 1.5-2.5Mȯ) while M≃ 4 Mȯ is indicated formost of the coolest objects. Among the carbon stars with detachedshells, R Scl returned to a predicted level (16 times lower) accordingto recent measurements of the central source. The observed expansionvelocities are in agreement with the predicted velocities at infinity ina diagram of velocities vs. effective temperature, provided the carbonto oxygen abundance ratio is 1≤ɛ C/ɛO≤2, i.e. the range deduced from spectra and modelatmospheres of those cool variables. Five stars with detached shellsdisplay expansion velocities about twice that predicted at theireffective temperature. Miras and non-Miras do populate the same locus inboth diagrams at the present accuracy. The predicted dust-to-gas densityratios are however about 2.2 times smaller than the values estimatedfrom observations. Recent drift models can contribute to minimize thediscrepancy since they include more dust. Simple approximate formulaeare proposed.This research has made use of the Simbad database operated at CDS.Partially based on data from the ESA HIPPARCOS astrometry satellite.Table 3 is only available in electronic form at the CDS via anonymousftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/429/235
| Reprocessing the Hipparcos data of evolved stars. III. Revised Hipparcos period-luminosity relationship for galactic long-period variable stars
We analyze the K band luminosities of a sample of galactic long-periodvariables using parallaxes measured by the Hipparcos mission. Theparallaxes are in most cases re-computed from the Hipparcos IntermediateAstrometric Data using improved astrometric fits and chromaticitycorrections. The K band magnitudes are taken from the literature andfrom measurements by COBE, and are corrected for interstellar andcircumstellar extinction. The sample contains stars of several spectraltypes: M, S and C, and of several variability classes: Mira, semiregularSRa, and SRb. We find that the distribution of stars in theperiod-luminosity plane is independent of circumstellar chemistry, butthat the different variability types have different P-L distributions.Both the Mira variables and the SRb variables have reasonablywell-defined period-luminosity relationships, but with very differentslopes. The SRa variables are distributed between the two classes,suggesting that they are a mixture of Miras and SRb, rather than aseparate class of stars. New period-luminosity relationships are derivedbased on our revised Hipparcos parallaxes. The Miras show a similarperiod-luminosity relationship to that found for Large Magellanic CloudMiras by Feast et al. (\cite{Feast-1989:a}). The maximum absolute Kmagnitude of the sample is about -8.2 for both Miras and semi-regularstars, only slightly fainter than the expected AGB limit. We show thatthe stars with the longest periods (P>400 d) have high mass lossrates and are almost all Mira variables.Based on observations from the Hipparcos astrometric satellite operatedby the European Space Agency (ESA \cite{Hipparcos}).Table \ref{Tab:data1} is only available in electronic form at the CDSvia anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/403/993
| Hipparcos red stars in the HpV_T2 and V I_C systems
For Hipparcos M, S, and C spectral type stars, we provide calibratedinstantaneous (epoch) Cousins V - I color indices using newly derivedHpV_T2 photometry. Three new sets of ground-based Cousins V I data havebeen obtained for more than 170 carbon and red M giants. These datasetsin combination with the published sources of V I photometry served toobtain the calibration curves linking Hipparcos/Tycho Hp-V_T2 with theCousins V - I index. In total, 321 carbon stars and 4464 M- and S-typestars have new V - I indices. The standard error of the mean V - I isabout 0.1 mag or better down to Hp~9 although it deteriorates rapidly atfainter magnitudes. These V - I indices can be used to verify thepublished Hipparcos V - I color indices. Thus, we have identified ahandful of new cases where, instead of the real target, a random fieldstar has been observed. A considerable fraction of the DMSA/C and DMSA/Vsolutions for red stars appear not to be warranted. Most likely suchspurious solutions may originate from usage of a heavily biased color inthe astrometric processing.Based on observations from the Hipparcos astrometric satellite operatedby the European Space Agency (ESA 1997).}\fnmsep\thanks{Table 7 is onlyavailable in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp tocdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/397/997
| Carbon-rich giants in the HR diagram and their luminosity function
The luminosity function (LF) of nearly 300 Galactic carbon giants isderived. Adding BaII giants and various related objects, about 370objects are located in the RGB and AGB portions of the theoretical HRdiagram. As intermediate steps, (1) bolometric corrections arecalibrated against selected intrinsic color indices; (2) the diagram ofphotometric coefficients 1/2 vs. astrometric trueparallaxes varpi are interpreted in terms of ranges of photosphericradii for every photometric group; (3) coefficients CR andCL for bias-free evaluation of mean photospheric radii andmean luminosities are computed. The LF of Galactic carbon giantsexhibits two maxima corresponding to the HC-stars of the thick disk andto the CV-stars of the old thin disk respectively. It is discussed andcompared to those of carbon stars in the Magellanic Clouds and Galacticbulge. The HC-part is similar to the LF of the Galactic bulge,reinforcing the idea that the Bulge and the thick disk are part of thesame dynamical component. The CV-part looks similar to the LF of theLarge Magellanic Cloud (LMC), but the former is wider due to thesubstantial errors on HIPPARCOS parallaxes. The obtained meanluminosities increase with increasing radii and decreasing effectivetemperatures, along the HC-CV sequence of photometric groups, except forHC0, the earliest one. This trend illustrates the RGB- and AGB-tracks oflow- and intermediate-mass stars for a range in metallicities. From acomparison with theoretical tracks in the HR diagram, the initial massesMi range from about 0.8 to 4.0 Msun for carbongiants, with possibly larger masses for a few extreme objects. A largerange of metallicities is likely, from metal-poor HC-stars classified asCH stars on the grounds of their spectra (a spheroidal component), tonear-solar compositions of many CV-stars. Technetium-rich carbon giantsare brighter than the lower limit Mbol =~ -3.6+/- 0.4 andcentered at =~-4.7+0.6-0.9 at about =~(2935+/-200) K or CV3-CV4 in our classification. Much like the resultsof Van Eck et al. (\cite{vaneck98}) for S stars, this confirms theTDU-model of those TP-AGB stars. This is not the case of the HC-stars inthe thick disk, with >~ 3400 K and>~ -3.4. The faint HC1 and HC2-stars( =~ -1.1+0.7-1.0) arefound slightly brighter than the BaII giants ( =~-0.3+/-1.3) on average. Most RCB variables and HdC stars range fromMbol =~ -1 to -4 against -0.2 to -2.4 for those of the threepopulation II Cepheids in the sample. The former stars show the largestluminosities ( <~ -4 at the highest effectivetemperatures (6500-7500 K), close to the Mbol =~ -5 value forthe hot LMC RCB-stars (W Men and HV 5637). A full discussion of theresults is postponed to a companion paper on pulsation modes andpulsation masses of carbon-rich long period variables (LPVs; Paper IV,present issue). This research has made use of the Simbad databaseoperated at CDS, Strasbourg, France. Partially based on data from theESA HIPPARCOS astrometry satellite. Table 2 is 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/390/967
| New periodic variables from the Hipparcos epoch photometry
Two selection statistics are used to extract new candidate periodicvariables from the epoch photometry of the Hipparcos catalogue. Theprimary selection criterion is a signal-to-noise ratio. The dependenceof this statistic on the number of observations is calibrated usingabout 30000 randomly permuted Hipparcos data sets. A significance levelof 0.1 per cent is used to extract a first batch of candidate variables.The second criterion requires that the optimal frequency be unaffectedif the data are de-trended by low-order polynomials. We find 2675 newcandidate periodic variables, of which the majority (2082) are from theHipparcos`unsolved' variables. Potential problems with theinterpretation of the data (e.g. aliasing) are discussed.
| Long-Term VRI Photometry of Small-Amplitude Red Variables. I. Light Curves and Periods
We report up to 5000 days of VRI photometry, from a robotic photometrictelescope, of 34 pulsating red giants, namely, TV Psc, EG And, Z Psc, RZAnd, 4 Ori, RX Lep, UW Lyn, η Gem, μ Gem, ψ1 Aur,V523 Mon, V614 Mon, HD 52690, Y Lyn, BC CMi, X Cnc, UX Lyn, RS Cnc, VYUMa, ST UMa, TU CVn, FS Com, SW Vir, 30 Her, α1 Her,V642 Her, R Lyr, V450 Aql, V1293 Aql, δ Sge, EU Del, V1070 Cyg, WCyg, and μ Cep, as well as a few variable comparison stars. V, R, andI variations are generally in phase. The length and density of the dataenable us to look for variations on timescales ranging from days toyears. We use both power-spectrum (Fourier) analysis and autocorrelationanalysis, as well as light-curve analysis; these three approaches arecomplementary. The variations range from regular to irregular, but inmost of the stars, we find a period in the range of 20-200 days, whichis probably due to low-order radial pulsation. In many of the stars, wealso find a period which is an order of magnitude longer. It may be dueto rotation, or it may be due to a new kind of convectively inducedoscillatory thermal mode, recently proposed by P. Wood.
| Long period variable stars: galactic populations and infrared luminosity calibrations
In this paper HIPPARCOS astrometric and kinematic data are used tocalibrate both infrared luminosities and kinematical parameters of LongPeriod Variable stars (LPVs). Individual absolute K and IRAS 12 and 25luminosities of 800 LPVs are determined and made available in electronicform. The estimated mean kinematics is analyzed in terms of galacticpopulations. LPVs are found to belong to galactic populations rangingfrom the thin disk to the extended disk. An age range and a lower limitof the initial mass is given for stars of each population. A differenceof 1.3 mag in K for the upper limit of the Asymptotic Giant Branch isfound between the disk and old disk galactic populations, confirming itsdependence on the mass in the main sequence. LPVs with a thin envelopeare distinguished using the estimated mean IRAS luminosities. The levelof attraction (in the classification sense) of each group for the usualclassifying parameters of LPVs (variability and spectral types) isexamined. Table only available in electronic form at the CDS viaanonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/374/968 or via ASTRIDdatabase (http://astrid.graal.univ-montp2.fr).
| The effective temperatures of carbon-rich stars
We evaluate effective temperatures of 390 carbon-rich stars. Theinterstellar extinction on their lines of sights was determined andcircumstellar contributions derived. The intrinsic (dereddened) spectralenergy distributions (SEDs) are classified into 14 photometric groups(HCi, CVj and SCV with i=0,5 and j=1,7). The newscale of effective temperatures proposed here is calibrated on the 54angular diameters (measured on 52 stars) available at present from lunaroccultations and interferometry. The brightness distribution on stellardiscs and its influence on diameter evaluations are discussed. Theeffective temperatures directly deduced from those diameters correlatewith the classification into photometric groups, despite the large errorbars on diameters. The main parameter of our photometric classificationis thus effective temperature. Our photometric < k right >1/2 coefficients are shown to be angular diameters on arelative scale for a given photometric group, (more precisely for agiven effective temperature). The angular diameters are consistent withthe photometric data previously shown to be consistent with the trueparallaxes from HIPPARCOS observations (Knapik, et al. \cite{knapik98},Sect. 6). Provisional effective temperatures, as constrained by asuccessful comparison of dereddened SEDs from observations to modelatmosphere predictions, are in good agreement with the values directlycalculated from the observed angular diameters and with those deducedfrom five selected intrinsic color indices. These three approaches wereused to calibrate a reference angular diameter Phi 0 and theassociated coefficient CT_eff. The effective temperatureproposed for each star is the arithmetic mean of two estimates, one(``bolometric'') from a reference integrated flux F0, theother (``spectral'') from calibrated color indices which arerepresentative of SED shapes. Effective temperatures for about 390carbon stars are provided on this new homogeneous scale, together withvalues for some stars classified with oxygen-type SEDs with a total of438 SEDs (410 stars) studied. Apparent bolometric magnitudes are given.Objects with strong infrared excesses and optically thick circumstellardust shells are discussed separately. The new effective temperaturescale is shown to be compatible and (statistically) consistent with thesample of direct values from the observed angular diameters. Theeffective temperatures are confirmed to be higher than the mean colortemperatures (from 140 to 440 K). They are in good agreement with thepublished estimates from the infrared flux method forTeff>= 3170 K, while an increasing discrepancy is observedtoward lower temperatures. As an illustration of the efficiency of thephotometric classification and effective temperature scale, the C/Oratios and the Merrill-Sanford (M-S) band intensities are investigated.It is shown that the maximum value, mean value and dispersion of C/Oincrease along the photometric CV-sequence, i.e. with decreasingeffective temperature. The M-S bands of SiC2 are shown tohave a transition from ``none'' to ``strong'' at Teff =~(2800+/- 150right ) K. Simultaneously, with decreasing effectivetemperature, the mean C/O ratio increases from 1.04 to 1.36, thetransition in SiC2 strength occurring while 1.07<= C/O<= 1.18. This research has made use of the Simbad database operatedat CDS, Strasbourg, France. Table 10 is only available in electronicform at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5)}or via http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/369/178
| General Catalog of Galactic Carbon Stars by C. B. Stephenson. Third Edition
The catalog is an updated and revised version of Stephenson's Catalogueof Galactic Cool Carbon Stars (2nd edition). It includes 6891 entries.For each star the following information is given: equatorial (2000.0)and galactic coordinates, blue, visual and infrared magnitudes, spectralclassification, references, designations in the most significantcatalogs and coordinate precision classes. The main catalog issupplemented by remarks containing information for which there was noplace in entries of the main part, as well as some occasional notesabout the peculiarities of specific stars.
| Long-Term VRI Photometry of Pulsating Red Giants
We report up to 5000 days of VRI photometry, from a robotic photometrictelescope, of 37 pulsating red giants, namely: TV Psc, EG And, Z Psc, RZAnd, 4 Ori, RX Lep, η Gem, μ Gem, UW Lyn, ψ 1 Aur,V523 Mon, V614 Mon, HD 52690, Y Lyn, BC CMi, X Cnc, UX Lyn, RS Cnc, VYUMa, ST UMa, TU CVn, FS Com, 35 Com, SW Vir, 30 Her, α1 Her, V642 Her, R Lyr, HD 174621, V450 Aql, V1293 Aql,δ Sge, EU Del, V1070 Cyg, W Cyg, μ Cep, and ν Cep. V, R, andI variations are generally in phase. The length and density of the dataenable us to look for variations on time scales ranging from days toyears. We use both power-spectrum (Fourier) analysis, andautocorrelation analysis, as well as light-curve analysis; these threeapproaches are complementary. The variations range from regular toirregular but, in most of the stars, we find a period in the range of 20to 200 days which is probably due to low-order radial pulsation. In manyof the stars, we also find a period which is an order of magnitudelonger. It may be due to rotation, or it may be due to a new kind ofconvectively-induced oscillatory thermal mode, recently proposed byPeter Wood. Supported by NASA, NSF, and NSERC Canada.
| The Chemical Composition of Carbon Stars. II. The J-Type Stars
Abundances of lithium, heavy elements, and carbon isotope ratios havebeen measured in 12 J-type Galactic carbon stars. The abundance analysisshows that in these stars the abundances of s-process elements withrespect to the metallicity are nearly normal. Tc is not present in mostof them, although upper limits have been derived for WZ Cas and WX Cyg,perhaps two SC-type rather than J-type carbon stars. The Rb abundances,obtained from the resonance λ7800 Rb I line, are surprisinglylow, probably owing to strong non-LTE effects in the formation of thisline in cool carbon-rich stars. Lithium and 13C are found tobe enhanced in all the stars. These results together with the nitrogenabundances and oxygen isotope ratios measured by Lambert et al. andHarris et al. are used to discuss the origin of J stars. The luminosityand variability class of the stars studied would indicate that they arelow-mass (M<~2-3 Msolar), less evolved objects than thenormal carbon stars, although the presence of some luminous(Mbol<-5.5) J stars in our Galaxy (WZ Cas may be anexample) and in other galaxies, suggests the existence of at least twotypes of J stars, with different formation scenarios depending upon theinitial mass of the parent star. Standard evolutionary AGB models aredifficult to reconcile with all the observed chemical characteristics.In fact, they suggest the existence of an extra mixing mechanism thattransports material from the convective envelope down to hotter regionswhere some nuclear burning occurs. This mechanism would act preferablyon the early-AGB phase in low-mass stars. Mixing at the He-core flashand the binary system hypothesis are also discussed as alternatives tothe above scenario.
| The chemical composition of the rare J-type carbon stars.
Abundances of lithium, heavy elements and carbon isotope ratios havebeen derived in 12 J-type galactic carbon stars. The abundance analysisshows that in these stars the abundances of s-process elements withrespect to the metallicity are nearly solar. Tc is not present in mostof them. The Rb abundances, obtained from the resonance 7800 {\AA} RbIline, are surprisingly low, probably due to stroong non-LTE effects.Lithium and $^{13}$C are found to be enhanced in all the stars. Theseresults are used to discuss the origin of J-stars.
| Quantitative analysis of carbon isotopic ratios in carbon stars. III. 26 J-type carbon stars including 5 silicate carbon stars
We present the result of a quantitative analysis of (12C/({13)) C}ratios in 26 J-type carbon stars. The (12C/({13)) C} ratios aredetermined from lines of the CN red system around 8000 Angstroms, usingthe iso-intensity method and line-blanketed model atmospheres. Theaverage of (12C/({13)) C}\ ratios in the 26 stars is 4.7 +/- 2.8(standard deviation). All the stars studied, except for two stars, have(12C/({13)) C}\ ratios smaller than 10. (12C/({13)) C}\ ratios as low as1 ~ 2, which are lower than the value at the equilibrium of theCN-cycle, are found for a significant fraction of our sample, suggestingthe operation of non-equilibrium nuclear processes. For several starspreviously analyzed by other authors, our result shows fair agreement.The serious disagreement of (12C/({13)) C}\ ratios, which we reportedfor N-type carbon stars in our preceding paper, is not found for J-typecarbon stars. Five silicate carbon stars in our sample show no peculiar(12C/({13)) C} ratios among the stars studied in the present work. Thisresult implies that the mechanism responsible for low (12C/({13)) C}\ratios in silicate carbon stars might be the same with that operating inother J-type carbon stars. In other words, (12C/({13)) C}\ ratios insilicate carbon stars have turned out to give few clues to identify themechanism responsible for their formation.
| Infrared Spectroscopy of Faint High Galactic Latitude Carbon Stars
Carbon stars at high Galactic latitudes used to study the kinematics ofthe Galactic halo are difficult to distinguish from nearby dwarf carbon(dC) stars at intermediate spectral resolution. This paper presentsnear-infrared spectra of a sample of carbon stars that show that the COfirst-overtone bands are far weaker in the known dC stars than in giantsfor a given H-K color. This finding, along with the unusual location ofdC stars in the JHK color-color diagram, may be explained by the effectsof collision-induced absorption, which is predicted, in stars of lowmetallicity and high surface gravity, to greatly suppress molecularabsorption features in the near-infrared.
| The PL relation of galactic carbon LPVs. The distance modulus to LMC
We present a period-luminosity (PL) diagram of 115 galactic carbon-richlong period variables (LPVs) observed by the HIPPARCOS satellite, in theform of the (MK,log P) relation. Our plot is compared to thediagram of carbon variables observed in the Large Magellanic Cloud(LMC). Both diagrams are found very similar and three samples aredelineated: long period variables close to the PL relation of Feast etal. (1989), short period-overluminous variables and a few underluminousLPVs, respectively Samples 1, 2 and 3. The used data were deduced fromexpectations of true parallaxes (Knapik et al. 1997) which arestatistically free of the Lutz-Kelker effect. The remaining bias due tothe non-gaussian distribution of absolute magnitudes is avoided: anon-linear parametric method is applied in Sect. 4 to the analysis ofthe PL relation for Sample 1 (72 LPVs). We obtainMK=(-3.99+/-0.13)log P+(2.07+/-0.15), in good agreement withthe slope found for LMC variables by Reid et al. (1995). The LMCdistance modulus then derived is mu =18.50+/-0.17. A well-defined upperlimit (ul) for long period stars in Sample 1 is found, with similarslopes in both the Galaxy (-4.85) and LMC (-4.72). No correction formetallicity was applied to the results. This research has made use ofthe Simbad database operated at CDS, Strasbourg, France.
| Carbon Stars
Absolute magnitudes are estimated for carbon stars of various subtypesin the Hipparcos catalogue and as found in the Magellanic Clouds.Stellar radii fall within the limits of 2.4-4.7 AU. The chemicalcomposition of carbon stars indicates that the C-N stars show nearlysolar C/H, N/H, and ^12C/^13C ratios. This indicates that much of the Cand N in our Galaxy came from mass-losing carbon stars. Special carbonstars such as the C-R, C-H, and dC stars are described. Mass loss fromasymptotic giant branch (AGB) carbon stars, at rates up to several x10^-5 M{solar} year^-1, contributes about half of the total mass returnto the interstellar medium. R stars do not lose mass and may becarbon-rich red giants. The mass loss rates for Miras are about 10 timeshigher than for SRb and Lb stars, whose properties are similar enough toshow that they are likely to belong to the same population. Thedistribution of carbon star mass loss rates peaks at about 10^-7M{solar} year^-1, close to the rate of growth of the core mass anddemonstrative of the close relationship between mass loss and evolution.Infrared spectroscopy shows that dust mixtures can occur. Detachedshells are seen around some stars; they appear to form on the timescales of the helium shell flashes and to be a normal occurrence incarbon star evolution.
| Classification and Identification of IRAS Sources with Low-Resolution Spectra
IRAS low-resolution spectra were extracted for 11,224 IRAS sources.These spectra were classified into astrophysical classes, based on thepresence of emission and absorption features and on the shape of thecontinuum. Counterparts of these IRAS sources in existing optical andinfrared catalogs are identified, and their optical spectral types arelisted if they are known. The correlations between thephotospheric/optical and circumstellar/infrared classification arediscussed.
| 12C/13C ratios and Li abundances in C stars: evidence for deep mixing?
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1997MNRAS.289L..11A&db_key=AST
| The onset of photometric variability in red giant stars.
The onset of variability in red giant stars is studied from the datacollected by the `Long-Term Photometry of Variables' project whichoperates at ESO (La Silla) since 1982. The differential nature of theobservations combined with a multi-night reduction algorithm enables tostudy the variability of over 50 red giants with an accuracy of theorder of 2 to 3 millimagnitudes on time scales ranging from days toyears. All red giants with spectral types late G to early K (i.e.b-y~0.6-0.8) are stable at the level σ_y_<6millimag (whereσ_y_ is the standard deviation of the Stroemgren y magnitude). Redgiants with later spectral types are all variable, and it is found thatthe minimum variability level σ_y, min_ increases with increasingb-y, thus defining a minimum-variability boundary. The new data obtainedin this paper reveal that the time scale of the associated variabilityincreases with increasing b-y (and thus amplitude), and that thestability of this time scale improves concomitantly. More precisely,irregular variations on time scales of 5 to 10-days (andσ_y_~7millimag) characterize red giants with b-y~1.0, whereas thevariations (with σ_y_~100millimag) become more regular withperiods of the order of 50d for red giants with b-y~1.3. Aradial-velocity jitter (of the order of 1.5km/s r.m.s.) is associatedwith this photometric variability, and suggests that stellaroscillations may be responsible for the observed variations.
| Kinematics of carbon stars in the outer regions of the Small Magellanic Cloud
We present a radial velocity survey of a sample of the field populationof carbon stars in the outer parts of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC).This first set of results includes radial velocities for 71 carbonstars, with an individual precision of +/- 2-5 km/s. The meanheliocentric velocity of the stars (excluding one very high velocitystar) is 149.3+/-3.0 km/s with a velocity dispersion of 25.2 +/- 2.1km/s. These values drop to 145.5+/-2.7 km/s and 20.6+/-1.9 km/srespectively, if we exclude the stars belonging to the Outer Wing. Thevelocity distribution does not show the multiple peaks seen in somesamples of Population I objects. The mass of the SMC as inferred fromthe above velocity dispersion (without the outer Wing stars) is ~=1.2~10^9M_{\odot}. Tables 1a and 1b are available in electronic form atthe CDS via anonymous ftp 130.79.128.5 orhttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/abstract.html
| Interstellar extinction and the intrinsic spectral distribution of variable carbon stars.
We present a new method of evaluation of the extinction by interstellardust on cool carbon variables. These late-type stars show no markedrelationship between spectral classification (the R, N- and C-types) andphotometric colour indices. The pair method is thus ruled out, at leastin the form currently in use for early-type or intermediate stars. Ourmethod makes use of the whole spectral energy distributions from UV toIR. A sample of 60 unreddened carbon variables is delineated and newcolour-colour diagrams are proposed where the reddening vector is nearlyperpendicular to their narrow intrinsic locus. Six photometric groups(or boxes : CV1 to 6) are derived among unreddened stars. They show acontinuous range of spectral energy distributions from "bluer" to"redder", and mean colour indices are obtained. A pair method isdescribed where each presumably reddened star is compared to these meanunreddened stars, a given extinction law being assumed. As anillustration, the results are shown for a sample of 133 well-documentedstars. The mean extinction law usually adopted for the diffuseinterstellar medium (R_V_=~3.1) is shown to provide good fits. Thethreshold for reddening detection turns to be E(B-V)=~0.02-0.03A goodcorrelation is observed when the derived colour excesses are compared tovalues from maps in the literature. The mean rate of visual extinctionamounts to =~1.25+/-1.1 , ranging from 0.37 nearl=~240° (intercloud) to 2.1 (cloud + intercloud) in two structurescorrelated with Gould's belt.
| The R Stars: Carbon Stars of a Different Kind
After $\sim$16 years of radial-velocity observations of a sample of 22R-type carbon stars, no evidence for binary motion has been detected inany of them. This is surprising considering that approximately 20\% ofnormal late-type giants are spectroscopic binaries, and the fraction isclose to 100\% in barium, CH, and subgiant/dwarf CH and barium stars. Itis suggested, therefore, that a process that has caused the mixing ofcarbon to the surface of these stars cannot act in a wide binary system.Possibly, the R stars were once all binaries, but with separations thatwould not allow them to evolve completely up the giant and asymptoticgiant branchs without coalescing. This coalescence may be the agentwhich causes carbon produced in the helium-core flash to be mixedoutwards to a region where convection zones can bring it to the surfaceof the star. (SECTION: Stars)
| A Moderate-Resolution Spectral Atlas of Carbon Stars: R, J, N, CH, and Barium Stars
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1996ApJS..105..419B&db_key=AST
| Clues for Lithium Production in Galactic C Stars: The 12C/ 13C Ratio
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1996ApJ...460..443A
| Small Amplitude Red Variables in the AAVSO Photoelectric Program: Light Curves and Periods
Small-amplitude red variables (SARVs) are M giants or supergiants whichare pulsating with small amplitudes (up to 2.5 mag) and with time scalesof 20 to 200 days or more. This paper reports on a ten-year study ofabout two dozen SARVs, carried out through the American Association ofVariable Star Observers (AAVSO) photoelectric photometry program. It hasprovided detailed information on the regularity, period and amplitude ofthese stars. Most have well-defined periods in the 20 to 200 day range.Several also have a long secondary period. One (W Boo) appears to havetwo periods with a ratio of 2.3. (SECTION: Stars)
| Vitesses radiales. Catalogue WEB: Wilson Evans Batten. Subtittle: Radial velocities: The Wilson-Evans-Batten catalogue.
We give a common version of the two catalogues of Mean Radial Velocitiesby Wilson (1963) and Evans (1978) to which we have added the catalogueof spectroscopic binary systems (Batten et al. 1989). For each star,when possible, we give: 1) an acronym to enter SIMBAD (Set ofIdentifications Measurements and Bibliography for Astronomical Data) ofthe CDS (Centre de Donnees Astronomiques de Strasbourg). 2) the numberHIC of the HIPPARCOS catalogue (Turon 1992). 3) the CCDM number(Catalogue des Composantes des etoiles Doubles et Multiples) byDommanget & Nys (1994). For the cluster stars, a precise study hasbeen done, on the identificator numbers. Numerous remarks point out theproblems we have had to deal with.
| Dilemma of the devious dwarfs.
Not Available
| Constraints on the Origin of Dwarf Carbon Stars
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1994ApJ...423..723G&db_key=AST
|
Submit a new article
Related links
Submit a new link
Member of following groups:
|
Observation and Astrometry data
| Constellation: | Licorne |
| Right ascension: | 07h01m01.95s |
| Declination: | -03°15'09.1" |
| Apparent magnitude: | 7.266 |
| Distance: | 309.598 parsecs |
| Proper motion RA: | -5.8 |
| Proper motion Dec: | -3 |
| B-T magnitude: | 9.775 |
| V-T magnitude: | 7.474 |
Catalogs and designations:
|
INHABITED SKY
