We derive the properties of dusty tori in active galactic nuclei from the comparison of observed spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of SDSS quasars and a precomputed grid of torus models. The observed SEDs comprise SDSS photometry, Two-Micron All-Sky Survey J, H and K data, whenever available, and mid-infrared (mid-IR) data from the Spitzer Wide-area InfraRed Extragalactic Survey.
Simultaneous photometric (uvbyBeta) and spectrographic observations of SX Phe are described. Analysis of the light and velocity frequency spectra are performed. It is shown that all frequencies detected are harmonics or combinations of the fundamental and first harmonic frequencies. Intrinsic (b-y) and c1 values used in conjunction with a model-atmosphere grid appropriate for a star with [M/H]=-1.0 yields <Teff>=7360K and <logg>=3.90. Standard evolutionary models indicate the mass is 1.13 M_{sun}_ and <Mv> value is +2.9. The radial-velocity data indicate a mean radial velocity of -37km/s and a total range of 38km/s.
We have carried out an intensive survey of the northern region of the Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxy with the aim of detecting the galaxy's short-period pulsating stars (P<0.25 days). Observations collected over three consecutive nights with the Wide Field Imager of the 2.2m MPI telescope at ESO allowed us to detect 85 high-amplitude (0.20-1.00mag in B light) variable stars with periods in the range from 0.046 to 0.126 days, similar to SX Phoenicis stars in Galactic metal-poor stellar populations. The plots of the observed periods vs. the B and V magnitudes show a dispersion largely exceeding the observational errors. To disentangle the matter, we separated the first-overtone from the fundamental-mode pulsators and tentatively identified a group of subluminous variables, about 0.35mag fainter than the others. Their nature as either metal-poor intermediate-age stars or stars formed by the merging of close binary systems is discussed. The rich sample of the Fornax variables also led us to reconstruct the period-luminosity relation for short-period pulsating stars. An excellent linear fit, M_V_=-1.83(+/-0.08)-3.65(+/-0.07)logP_F_, was obtained using 153 {delta} Scuti and SX Phoenicis stars in a number of different stellar systems.
First Epoch astrometric and radiometric information of a survey in the optical along the Galactic fourth quadrant is archived for further analysis in the time-domain. A photographic survey of 1.9x10^6^ stars down to B-magnitude 14.5+/-0.5 along the galactic meridian l=(330+/-5){deg},-64{deg}<b<-7{deg} and along the galactic equator 272{deg}<l<341{deg},-7{deg}<b<7{deg}, is provided from century old astrographic plates of Sydney Observatory. Stellar candidates to investigate the Galaxy disk kinematics up to a distance of 1kpc from the Sun are tentatively selected. A catalogue of 4.8x10^5^ stars is provided for further investigation of the galactic disk heating by transient spiral wave or by GMC encounter.
We present a multi-epoch, accurate UBVRcIc photometric catalog of 83 symbiotic stars and related objects, measured while calibrating the Henden and Munari (2000, Cat. <J/A+AS/143/343>, 2001, Cat. <J/A+A/372/145>, 2006, Cat. <J/A+A/458/339>) photometric sequences around them. The vast majority of the observations where collected in the time interval between October 19, 1998 to April 21, 2002 with the 1.0-m Ritchey-Chretien telescope of the U.S. Naval Observatory, Flagstaff Station (Arizona). On average, UBVRcIc data are given on 3.6 epochs for each program star. The overall budget error of the data is usually better than 0.01mag.
The Asiago photographic archive has been searched for plates containing the symbiotic stars AS 210, AS 327, AX Per, BF Cyg, CI Cyg, DT Ser, EG And, GH Gem, Hen 2-442, Hen 3-1591, HM Sge, MaC 1-17, NSV 11776, Pe 2-16, Pt 1, PU Vul, RS Oph, T CrB, UV Aur, V1016 Cyg, V1329 Cyg, V352 Aql, V4018 Sgr, Wray 15-1470, and Z And. A total of 1617 good-quality plates imaging the program stars have been found and their brightness has been estimated using the Henden & Munari (2000, Cat. <J/A+AS/143/343>, 2001, Cat. <J/A+A/372/145>, 2006, Cat. <J/A+A/458/339>, 2008, Cat. <J/BaltA/17/293>) UBVRcIc local photometric sequences. The results for the objects with most abundant measurements are discussed.
We present accurate UBV(RI)_C_ photometric sequences around 20 symbiotic stars. The sequences extend over wide brightness and color ranges, and are suited to cover quiescence as well as outburst phases. The sequences are intended to assist both present time photometry as well as measurement of photographic plates from historical archives.
We present accurate UBV(RI)_C_ photometric sequences for an additional 20 symbiotic stars. As for the 20 targets of Paper I (Henden et al., 2000, Cat. <J/A+AS/143/343>), the sequences extend over wide brightness and color ranges, and are suited to cover both quiescence and outburst phases. The sequences are intended to assist both present time photometry as well as measurement of photographic plates from historical archives.
We present accurate UBV(RI)_C_ photometric sequences and astrometric positions for a final set of 41 symbiotic stars. In a similar manner to the 40 targets of Papers I and II, these sequences extend over wide brightness and color ranges and are suited to covering both quiescence and outburst phases. They are intended to assist both the CCD photometric monitoring of current variability and exploitation of old photographic plates from historical archives.
Spectral evolutionary calculations have been employed in order to follow the behaviour of absorption lines in single-burst star forming regions. The model calculations are based on theoretical evolutionary tracks and model atmosphere stellar spectra at 5A resolution and they include the pre-main sequence phase. Three different metallicities have been considered; Z=0.001, 0.008 and 0.020, this range covers easily the one occupied by blue compact dwarf galaxies. This analysis focuses on the post-active burst phase and follows the evolution up to 15 million years after the episode of star formation has ceased, using an instantaneous burst of star formation. The absorption lines included are hydrogen, neutral and once ionized helium. Non-LTE absorption line profiles have been implemented to these lines, also at a 5A resolution. The equivalent widths and line profiles are studied as a function of lower and upper mass limits and slope of the mass function as well as the age. It is shown that the equivalent widths of the Balmer lines are increasing during the course of evolution, while the strength of the neutral and ionized helium lines decreases monotonically. Both the hydrogen and helium lines show high sensitivity to variations in the initial mass function (IMF). The Balmer line equivalent widths range from about 1.5 to 6.5A, depending on the IMF parameters used. As anticipated, these numbers are rather insensitive to the metallicity. Contrary to what has been claimed, the Balmer lines are prominent even if the lower mass limit is as high as 10M_{sun}_. It has been proposed that the weak hydrogen lines sometimes seen in starburst galaxies, often interpreted as evidence for a deficiency in low mass stars, could be due to the finite lifetimes of pre-main sequence stars. This analysis shows that it is very much dependent on the slope of the mass function. The equivalent width of the HeI-4471A line never exceeds 0.35A for any choice of the IMF parameters while the equivalent width of the HeII-4686A line reaches at the most 0.20A using the most top-heavy IMF. As expected, these numbers are only slightly dependent on the metallicity in the optical spectral region.
