Standard Johnson UBVRI photometry of V1794 Cyg (HD 199178) between 1975 and 1995 is analysed. Instead of the traditional constant period ephemeris, we determine the seasonal periodicities (P_phot_) and the primary and secondary minima epochs (t_min,1_, t_min,2_) of the normalized UBVRI magnitudes using the three stage period analysis (TSPA) and complementary methods.
Using new spectroscopic observations obtained as part of the VIMOS Ultra-Deep Survey (VUDS), we performed a systematic search for overdense environments in the early universe (z>2) and report here on the discovery of Cl J0227-0421, a massive protocluster at z=3.29. This protocluster is characterized by both the large overdensity of spectroscopically confirmed members, delta_gal=10.5+/-2.8, and a significant overdensity in photometric redshift members. The halo mass of this protocluster is estimated by a variety of methods to be ~3x10^14^M_{sun}_ at z~3.3, which, evolved to z=0 results in a halo mass rivaling or exceeding that of the Coma cluster. The properties of 19 spectroscopically confirmed member galaxies are compared with a large sample of VUDS/VVDS galaxies in lower density field environments at similar redshifts. We find tentative evidence for an excess of redder, brighter, and more massive galaxies within the confines of the protocluster relative to the field population, which suggests that we may be observing the beginning of environmentally induced quenching. The properties of these galaxies are investigated, including a discussion of the brightest protocluster galaxy, which appears to be undergoing vigorous coeval nuclear and starburst activity. The remaining member galaxies appear to have characteristics that are largely similar to the field population. Though we find weaker evidence of the suppression of the median star formation rates among and differences in the stacked spectra of member galaxies with respect to the field, we defer any conclusions about these trends to future work with the ensemble of protostructures that are found in the full VUDS sample.
We use deep near-IR photometry of the VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) Survey and deep DECam Plane Survey (DECaPS) optical photometry to confirm the physical reality of the candidate globular cluster (GC) Minni 22, which is located in the Galactic bulge. This object, which was detected as a high density region in our maps of bulge red giants, is now confirmed as a real GC based on the optical and near-IR color-magnitude diagrams. We also recover three known fundamental mode (ab type) RR Lyrae stars within 2 arcmin of the cluster center. The presence of RR Lyrae stars also seems to confirm Minni 22 as a bonafide old and metal-poor GC. We estimate a cluster reddening E(J-Ks)=0.6mag and determine its heliocentric distance D=7.4+/-0.3kpc. The optical and near-IR color-magnitude diagrams reveal well-defined red giant branches in all cases, including a red giant branch bump at Ks=13.30+/-0.05mag. The comparison with theoretical isochrones yields a mean metallicity of [Fe/H]=-1.3+/-0.3dex, and age of t~11.2Gyr. This is a good example of a new low-luminosity (M_V_=-6.2mag) GC found in the central bulge of the Milky Way. After discussing the different ways to confirm the existence of bulge GC candidates, we find that one of the best methods is to use the CMDs from the combination of the DECaPS+VVV photometries.
Knowledge of the stellar content near the Sun is important for a broad range of topics ranging from the search for planets to the study of Milky Way (MW) structure. The most powerful method for identifying potentially nearby stars is proper motion (PM) surveys. All old optical surveys avoid, or are at least substantially incomplete, near the Galactic plane. The depth and breadth of the 'VISTA Variables in Via Lactea' (VVV) near-IR survey significantly improves this situation. Taking advantage of the VVV survey data base, we have measured PMs in the densest regions of the MW bulge and southern plane in order to complete the census of nearby objects. We have developed a custom PM pipeline based on VVV catalogues from the Cambridge Astronomy Survey Unit, by comparing the first epoch of JHKs with the multi-epoch Ks bands acquired later. Taking advantage of the large time baseline between the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) and the VVV observations, we also obtained 2MASS-VVV PMs. We present a near-IR PM catalogue for the whole area of the VVV survey, which includes 3003 moving stellar sources. All of these have been visually inspected and are real PM objects. Our catalogue is in very good agreement with the PM data supplied in IR catalogues outside the densest zone of the MW. The majority of the PM objects in our catalogue are nearby M-dwarfs, as expected. This new data base allows us to identify 57 common PM binary candidates, among which are two new systems within 30 pcof the Sun.
VV Vir is a near-contact but detached mid-G-type eclipsing binary with an asymmetrical light curve due to a weak but regular mass exchange. The binary is apparently approaching contact and has a stream impact spot on the secondary component that is responsible for a quadratically [dP/P=(-7.8+/-0.2)x10^-11^] decreasing period. Our period study included more than 140 minima observed over the past 60 years. We explore other possible near-contact configurations for this binary.
In the context of a large campaign to determine the system parameters of high mass transfer cataclysmic variables, we found VY Scl in a low state in 2008. Making use of this low state, we study the stellar components of the binary with little influence of the normally dominating accretion disc. Time-resolved spectroscopy and photometry of VY Scl taken during the low state are presented. We analysed the light-curve and radial velocity curve and use time-resolved spectroscopy to calculate Doppler maps of the dominant emission lines. The spectra show narrow emission lines of Halpha, Hbeta, HeI, NaI D, and FeII, as well as faint TiO absorption bands that trace the motion of the irradiated secondary star, and Halpha and HeI emission line wings that trace the motion of the white dwarf. From these radial velocities, we find an orbital period of 3.84h, and put constraints on binary parameters such as the mass ratio M2/M1 of 0.43 and the inclination of 15. With a secondary mass between 0.3 and 0.35M_{sun}_, we derive the mass for the white dwarf as M1=0.6-1.1M_{sun}_.
Walraven photometry is presented of established and probable members of the Scorpio-Centaurus OB association. For each star, effective temperature and surface gravity are derived using Kurucz atmosphere models (1979ApJS...40....1K). From the Straizys and Kuriliene (1981Ap&SS..80..353S) tables, absolute magnitudes are calculated. Distance moduli and visual extinctions are determined for all stars. From a comparison of the HR-diagrams of the stars in each subgroup with theoretical isochrones, the ages of the three subgroups are derived. The distances to the three subgroups are shown to be different; there is a general trend (also within each subgroup) for the distances to be larger at higher galactic longitudes. The visual extinction in the youngest subgroup Upper-Scorpius, is well correlated with the IRAS 100-micron map. The distance toward the Ophiuchus dark clouds is found to be 125 pc, based on the photometric distances to the stars. Most of the early-type stars in Upper-Scorpius are located at the far side of the dark clouds.
We present Walraven-photometric data of 114 stars of 5.9<V<14.7 within 17 arcmin of the Luminous Blue Variable AG Car (HD 94910). The results are expressed in terms of V-magnitude in the Johnson system and in observed and extinction-free colours in the Walraven system. For a description of the Walraven photometric system, see e.g. <GCPD/11>
The files contain the results of the photometry observations obtained during July/August 1988 with the Walraven photometer on the 90cm telescope at ESO (La Silla). The brightness measurements are collected simultaneously in the 5 passbands VBLUW (544, 430, 384, 362 and 324nm) with integration times of 16s.
Observations of OB-stars, made in 1959 and 1960 at the Leiden Southern Station near Hartebeespoortdam, South Africa, with the VBLUW photometer attached to th e 90 cm light-collector, are given in this paper. They are compared with photome try obtained by Graham (1968BANS....2..397G), Walraven & Walraven (1977BAN....15...67W), Lub & Pel (1977A&A....54..137L) and van Genderen et al. (1984A&AS...58..537V). Formulae for the transformation of the present observations to those of Walraven & Walraven (1977BAN....15...67W) and Lub & Pel (1977A&A....54..137L) are given. For a description of the VBLUW photometric system, see e.g. <GCPD/11>
