Within the sample of six young open clusters (NGC 1502, NGC 3105, Stock 16, NGC 6268, NGC 7235 and NGC 7510) we have investigated 1753 objects using the narrow band, three filter Delta a photometric system resulting in the detection of eleven bona-fide magnetic chemically peculiar (CP) stars and five Be or metal-weak stars. The results for the distant cluster NGC 3105 is most important because of the still unknown influence of the global metallicity gradient of the Milky Way. These findings confirms that CP stars are present in open clusters of very young ages (logt>=6.90) at galactocentric distances up to 11.4kpc. For all programme clusters the age, reddening and distance modulus were derived using the corresponding isochrones. Some additional variable stars within Stock 16 could be identified by comparing different photometric studies.
Based on more than 50 partial nights of CCD monitoring, we derive 118 new times of maximum light of the SX Phoenicis star CY Aquarii. These times support a linear ephemeris for 2013-2015.
We present CCD imaging and photometry in B and Cousins R of the dwarf irregular galaxies UGC 4459 (=DDO 53), UGC 5272 (A=DDO 64 and B), UGC 5340 (=DDO 68), UGC 6456, UGC 7559 (=DDO 126), UGC 8024 (=NGC 4789A=DDO 154), UGC 8091 (= GR 8=DDO 155), UGC 8320 (=DDO 168), UGC 8760 (=DDO 183), and DDO 210. For DDO 210 we also give results in the V filter. Photometry of the resolved stars was carried out on background-subtracted images using DAOPHOT. The tables of measurements include positions, magnitudes, colors, a magnitude error, and a color error. Integrated fluxes and colors are also reported. The single-star photometry is compared to previous results in three of the galaxies (UGC 8024, UGC 8091, DDO 210).
We present CCD photometry for six metal-rich Galactic globular clusters. The color-magnitude diagrams constructed from these data reach well below the horizontal branch (HB), all of which are predominantly redward of the instability strip. From these diagrams, we have measured the magnitude of the HB, the color of the red giant branch (RGB) at the level of the HB, and the magnitude difference between the HB and the RGB clump. Using these quantities, we are able to study the metallicities and reddenings of these clusters. We also discuss the color distribution of stars on the horizontal branch for these metal-rich systems and compare them with available data for putative field disk red HB stars. There appears to be a dearth of field red HB stars having [Fe/H]~-0.5 and B-V<0.85, which are plentiful in the clusters studied here.
The M33 galaxy is a nearby, relatively metal-poor, late-type spiral. Its proximity and almost face-on inclination means that it projects over a large area on the sky, making it an ideal candidate for wide-field CCD mosaic imaging. Photometry was obtained for more than 106 stars covering a 74'x56' field centered on M33. Main-sequence, supergiant branch, red giant branch, and asymptotic giant branch (AGB) populations are identified and classified based on broadband V and I photometry. Narrowband filters are used to measure spectral features allowing, the AGB population to be further divided into C and M star types. The galactic structure of M33 is examined using star counts, color-color, and color-magnitude-selected stellar populations. We use the C to M star ratio to investigate the metallicity gradient in the disk of M33.
Two sets of observations of the metal-rich globular cluster M 71 are presented. The first uses deep CCD exposures to derive a fiducial in V, B-V and compares this with a cluster of similar metallicity, 47 Tuc. Comparison with oxygen enhanced theoretical isochrones leads to age estimates for M 71 of from ~14+/-2Gyr to ~16+/-2Gyr. Within the limits imposed by the quality of the data, no significant age difference between the two clusters is found. The second set of 73 frames is used to search an overlapping 67"x104" area of the cluster for variable stars. Light curves and phase diagrams (where appropriate) are presented for all four of the variables discovered. One variable blue straggler (or SX Phe star) has been identified with a period of 0.050d. Values for its mass depend, of course, on the assumed pulsation mode-(0.90+/-0.47)M_{sun}_ for the first overtone mode, and (1.57+/-0.83)M_{sun}_ for the fundamental mode. One of the variables, with a 0.0582d period, but with a magnitude 1.75mag below the main sequence turnoff may be a field star. Two candidate eclipsing binary systems were also found. The most likely orbital period of one is 0.372d. This value, and the shape of the light curve, suggest that it could be a W UMa type variable. No period was obtainable for the other candidate binary due to a lack of phase coverage. Further data is needed to confirm and strengthen these claims, and to check for cluster membership.