- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/AJ/145/102
- Title:
- Spectroscopy of bright M dwarfs in the northern sky
- Short Name:
- J/AJ/145/102
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We present a spectroscopic catalog of the 1564 brightest (J<9) M dwarf candidates in the northern sky, as selected from the SUPERBLINK proper motion catalog. Observations confirm 1408 of the candidates to be late-K and M dwarfs with spectral subtypes K7-M6. From the low ({mu}>40mas/yr) proper motion limit and high level of completeness of the SUPERBLINK catalog in that magnitude range, we estimate that our spectroscopic census most likely includes >90% of all existing, northern-sky M dwarfs with apparent magnitude J<9. Only 682 stars in our sample are listed in the Third Catalog of Nearby Stars (CNS3); most others are relative unknowns and have spectroscopic data presented here for the first time. Spectral subtypes are assigned based on spectral index measurements of CaH and TiO molecular bands; a comparison of spectra from the same stars obtained at different observatories, however, reveals that spectral band index measurements are dependent on spectral resolution, spectrophotometric calibration, and other instrumental factors. As a result, we find that a consistent classification scheme requires that spectral indices be calibrated and corrected for each observatory/instrument used. After systematic corrections and a recalibration of the subtype-index relationships for the CaH2, CaH3, TiO5, and TiO6 spectral indices, we find that we can consistently and reliably classify all our stars to a half-subtype precision. The use of corrected spectral indices further requires us to recalibrate the {zeta} parameter, a metallicity indicator based on the ratio of TiO and CaH optical bandheads. However, we find that our {zeta} values are not sensitive enough to diagnose metallicity variations in dwarfs of subtypes M2 and earlier (+/-0.5dex accuracy) and are only marginally useful at later M3-M5 subtypes (+/-0.2dex accuracy). Fits of our spectra to the Phoenix atmospheric model grid are used to estimate effective temperatures. These suggest the existence of a plateau in the M1-M3 subtype range, in agreement with model fits of infrared spectra but at odds with photometric determinations of T_eff_. Existing geometric parallax measurements are extracted from the literature for 624 stars, and are used to determine spectroscopic and photometric distances for all the other stars. Active dwarfs are identified from measurements of H{alpha} equivalent widths, and we find a strong correlation between H{alpha} emission in M dwarfs and detected X-ray emission from ROSAT and/or a large UV excess in the GALEX point source catalog. We combine proper motion data and photometric distances to evaluate the (U, V, W) distribution in velocity space, which is found to correlate tightly with the velocity distribution of G dwarfs in the solar neighborhood. However, active stars show a smaller dispersion in their space velocities, which is consistent with those stars being younger on average. Our catalog will be most useful to guide the selection of the best M dwarf targets for exoplanet searches, in particular those using high-precision radial velocity measurements.
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Search Results
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/AJ/149/103
- Title:
- Spectroscopy of candidate YSOs in Serpens
- Short Name:
- J/AJ/149/103
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We have completed an optical spectroscopic survey of a sample of candidate young stars in the Serpens Main star-forming region selected from deep B, V, and R band images. While infrared, X-ray, and optical surveys of the cloud have identified many young stellar objects (YSOs), these surveys have been biased toward particular stages of pre-main sequence evolution. We have obtained over 700 moderate resolution optical spectra that, when combined with published data, have led to the identification of 63 association members based on the presence of H{alpha} in emission, lithium absorption, X-ray emission, a mid-infrared excess, and/or reflection nebulosity. Twelve YSOs are identified based on the presence of lithium absorption alone. An additional 16 objects are classified as possible association members and their pre-main sequence nature is in need of confirmation. Spectral types along with V and R band photometry were used to derive effective temperatures and bolometric luminosities for association members to compare with theoretical tracks and isochrones for pre-main sequence stars. An average age of 2Myr is derived for this population. When compared to simulations, there is no obvious evidence for an age spread when considering the major sources of uncertainties in the derived luminosities. However when compared to the young cluster in Ophiuchus, the association members in Serpens appear to have a larger spread in luminosities and hence ages which could be intrinsic to the region or the result of a foreground population of YSOs associated with the Aquila Rift. Modeling of the spectral energy distributions from optical through mid-infrared wavelengths has revealed three new transition disk objects, making a total of six in the cluster. Echelle spectra for a subset of these sources enabled estimates of vsini for seven association members. Analysis of gravity-sensitive lines in the echelle and moderate resolution spectra of the association members indicate surface gravities consistent with dwarf or sub-giant stars.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/ApJ/714/1521
- Title:
- Spectroscopy of galaxies around distant QSOs
- Short Name:
- J/ApJ/714/1521
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We report results from a survey of MgII absorbers in the spectra of background quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) that are within close angular distances to a foreground galaxy at z<0.5, using the Magellan Echellette Spectrograph. We have established a spectroscopic sample of 94 galaxies at a median redshift of <z>=0.24 in fields around 70 distant background QSOs (z_QSO_>0.6), 71 of which are in an "isolated" environment with no known companions and located at {rho}<~120h^-1^kpc from the line of sight of a background QSO. The rest-frame absolute B-band magnitudes span a range from M_B_-5logh=-16.4 to M_B_-5logh=-21.4 and rest-frame B_AB_-R_AB_ colors range from B_AB_-R_AB_~0 to B_AB_-R_AB_~1.5. Of these "isolated" galaxies, we find that 47 have corresponding MgII absorbers in the spectra of background QSOs and rest-frame absorption equivalent width W_r_(2796)=0.1-2.34{AA}, and 24 do not give rise to MgII absorption to sensitive upper limits.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/AJ/154/251
- Title:
- Spectroscopy of galaxies in z=0.2-0.9 clusters
- Short Name:
- J/AJ/154/251
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We present an analysis of stellar populations in passive galaxies in seven massive X-ray clusters at z=0.19-0.89. Based on absorption-line strengths measured from our high signal-to-noise spectra, the data support primarily passive evolution of the galaxies. We use the scaling relations between velocity dispersions and the absorption-line strengths to determine representative mean line strengths for the clusters. From the age determinations based on the line strengths (and stellar population models), we find a formation redshift of z_form_=1.96_-0.19_^+0.24^. Based on line strength measurements from high signal-to-noise composite spectra of our data, we establish the relations between velocity dispersions, ages, metallicities [M/H], and abundance ratios [{alpha}/Fe] as a function of redshift. The [M/H]-velocity dispersion and [{alpha}/Fe]-velocity dispersion relations are steep and tight. The age-velocity dispersion relation is flat, with zero-point changes reflecting passive evolution. The scatter in all three parameters is within 0.08-0.15 dex at fixed velocity dispersions, indicating a large degree of synchronization in the evolution of the galaxies. We find an indication of cluster-to-cluster differences in metallicities and abundance ratios. However, variations in stellar populations with the cluster environment can only account for a very small fraction of the intrinsic scatter in the scaling relations. Thus, within these very massive clusters, the main driver of the properties of the stellar populations in passive galaxies appears to be the galaxy velocity dispersion.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/AJ/144/8
- Title:
- Spectroscopy of ~100 G/K/M-type Sco-Cen complex members
- Short Name:
- J/AJ/144/8
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We have spectroscopically identified ~100 G-, K-, and M-type members of the Scorpius-Centaurus complex. To deduce the age of these young stars we compare their Li {lambda}6708 absorption line strengths against those of stars in the TW Hydrae association and {beta} Pictoris moving group. These line strengths indicate that Sco-Cen stars are younger than {beta} Pic stars whose ages of ~12Myr have previously been derived from a kinematic traceback analysis. Our derived age, ~10Myr, for stars in the Lower Centaurus Crux and Upper Centaurus Lupus subgroups of ScoCen is younger than previously published ages based on the moving cluster method and upper main-sequence fitting. The discrepant ages are likely due to an incorrect (or lack of) cross-calibration between model-dependent and model-independent age-dating methods.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/ApJ/892/137
- Title:
- Spectroscopy of Grus II, Tuc IV and Tuc V
- Short Name:
- J/ApJ/892/137
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We present Magellan/IMACS spectroscopy of three recently discovered ultra-faint Milky Way satellites, Grus II, Tucana IV, and Tucana V. We measure systemic velocities of v_hel_=-110.0+/-0.5km/s, v_hel_=15.9_-1.7_^+1.8^km/s, and v_hel_=-36.2_-2.2_^+2.5^km/s for the three objects, respectively. Their large relative velocities demonstrate that the satellites are unrelated despite their close physical proximity. We determine a velocity dispersion for Tuc IV of {sigma}=4.3_-1.0_^+1.7^km/s, but we cannot resolve the velocity dispersions of the other two systems. For Gru II, we place an upper limit (90% confidence) on the dispersion of {sigma}<1.9km/s, and for Tuc V, we do not obtain any useful limits. All three satellites have metallicities below [Fe/H]=-2.1, but none has a detectable metallicity spread. We determine proper motions for each satellite based on Gaia astrometry and compute their orbits around the Milky Way. Gru II is on a tightly bound orbit with a pericenter of 25_-7_^+6^kpc and orbital eccentricity of 0.45_-0.05_^+0.08^. Tuc V likely has an apocenter beyond 100kpc and could be approaching the Milky Way for the first time. The current orbit of Tuc IV is similar to that of Gru II, with a pericenter of 25_-8_^+11^kpc and an eccentricity of 0.36_-0.06_^+0.13^. However, a backward integration of the position of Tuc IV demonstrates that it collided with the Large Magellanic Cloud at an impact parameter of 4kpc ~120Myr ago, deflecting its trajectory and possibly altering its internal kinematics. Based on their sizes, masses, and metallicities, we classify Gru II and Tuc IV as likely dwarf galaxies, but the nature of Tuc V remains uncertain.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/AJ/117/2329
- Title:
- Spectroscopy of hot stars in the halo. III
- Short Name:
- J/AJ/117/2329
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We present results from an analysis of medium-resolution spectroscopy and UBV photometry for a sample of 1121 A-type stars in the halo (and disk) of the Galaxy. A previously developed calibration technique is used to assign estimates of effective temperature, surface gravity, and stellar metal abundance, as parametrized by [Fe/H]. Radial velocities are reported with an accuracy of {~}10 km.s^-1^. Distance estimates are obtained for the stars with well-determined luminosity classes. Note that although we refer to "A-type" stars, which dominate the present sample, the present data set includes roughly 100 stars of later spectral types, as a result of the temperature range we have chosen to explore in this paper (6000 K {<=} T_eff_ {<=} 10,000 K).
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/ApJ/870/122
- Title:
- Spectroscopy of low-metallicity star candidates
- Short Name:
- J/ApJ/870/122
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We present results from an observing campaign to identify low-metallicity stars in the Best & Brightest Survey. From medium-resolution (R~1200-2000) spectroscopy of 857 candidates, we estimate the stellar atmospheric parameters (T_eff_, logg, and [Fe/H]), as well as carbon and {alpha}-element abundances. We find that 69% of the observed stars have [Fe/H]<=-1.0, 39% have [Fe/H]<=-2.0, and 2% have [Fe/H]<=-3.0. There are also 133 carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars in this sample, with 97 CEMP Group I and 36 CEMP Group II stars identified in the A(C) versus [Fe/H] diagram. A subset of the confirmed low-metallicity stars were followed-up with high-resolution spectroscopy, as part of the R-process Alliance, with the goal of identifying new highly and moderately r-process-enhanced stars. Comparison between the stellar atmospheric parameters estimated in this work and from high-resolution spectroscopy exhibit good agreement, confirming our expectation that medium-resolution observing campaigns are an effective way of selecting interesting stars for further, more targeted, efforts.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/ApJ/769/10
- Title:
- Spectroscopy of M31 globular clusters
- Short Name:
- J/ApJ/769/10
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We report the results of an [OIII]{lambda}5007 spectroscopic survey for planetary nebulae (PNe) located within the star clusters of M31. By examining R~5000 spectra taken with the WIYN+Hydra spectrograph, we identify 3 PN candidates in a sample of 274 likely globular clusters, 2 candidates in objects which may be globular clusters, and 5 candidates in a set of 85 younger systems. The possible PNe are all faint, between ~2.5 and ~6.8mag down the PN luminosity function, and, partly as a consequence of our selection criteria, have high excitation, with [OIII]{lambda}5007 to H{beta} ratios ranging from 2 to >~12. We discuss the individual candidates, their likelihood of cluster membership, and the possibility that they were formed via binary interactions within the clusters. Our data are consistent with the suggestion that PN formation within globular clusters correlates with binary encounter frequency, though, due to the small numbers and large uncertainties in the candidate list, this study does not provide sufficient evidence to confirm the hypothesis.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/AJ/143/126
- Title:
- Spectroscopy of 462 nearby Type Ia supernovae
- Short Name:
- J/AJ/143/126
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We present 2603 spectra of 462 nearby Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), including 2065 previously unpublished spectra, obtained during 1993-2008 through the Center for Astrophysics Supernova Program. There are on average eight spectra for each of the 313 SNe Ia with at least two spectra. Most of the spectra were obtained with the FAST spectrograph at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory 1.5m telescope and reduced in a consistent manner, making this data set well suited for studies of SN Ia spectroscopic diversity. Using additional data from the literature, we study the spectroscopic and photometric properties of SNe Ia as a function of spectroscopic class using the classification schemes of Branch et al. (2006PASP..118..560B) and Wang et al. (2009, Cat. J/ApJ/699/L139). The width-luminosity relation appears to be steeper for SNe Ia with broader lines, although the result is not statistically significant with the present sample. Based on the evolution of the characteristic SiII{lambda}6355 line, we propose improved methods for measuring velocity gradients, revealing a larger range than previously suspected, from ~0 to ~400km/s/day considering the instantaneous velocity decline rate at maximum light.
