We have obtained U,B, and R CCD surface photometry for a sample of 39 elliptical galaxies. For each galaxy we have determined the surface brightness profile, U-R and B-R color profiles, and the ellipticity and position angle profiles, all as function of major axis radius, using a two-dimensional ellipse fitting program. In addition, we have derived the sin and cos(3.theta) and 4.theta terms that describe the high-order deviations of the B and R isophotes from ellipses. While it is very common for ellipticals to display measurable 3.theta and 4.theta terms, the amplitudes of these terms rarely exceed 0.5%. The isophotes of elliptical galaxies are very well characterized by ellipses. The surface brightness and color profiles are given to radii at which the error in the profile reaches 0.1 mag from the uncertainty in the brightness of the night sky. We have carried out a series of simulations of the effects of seeing on luminosity and ellipticity profiles, to determine the radius beyond which the errors in our data from seeing are less than 0.05 mag and 0.02 in ellipticity. Measurable effects of seeing extend to surprisingly large radii, as much as 5-10 seeing radii, depending upon the ellipticity of the galaxy and the form of the surface brightness profile. Ellipticity and position angle profiles are usually the same in all passbands with no indication that the contours of constant color are more or less flattened than the isophotes, i.e., the isochromes and isophotes have the same shapes, but the insensitivity of the ellipticity to differences between these properties makes this a weak argument. The high-order terms, particularly the 3.theta terms, appear to be sensitive diagnostics for the existence of dust in ellipticals. We find that all the galaxies in this sample either become bluer in B-R and U-R with increasing radius or are of constant color. Mean values for the logarithmic gradients in color are -0.09 mag/arcsec2 per dex in radius in B-R, and -0.20 mag/arcsec2 per dex in radius in U-R. These color changes are consistent with a decrease in the [Fe/H] of approximately 0.20 per decade in radius. Surprisingly, there is no correlation of color gradient with luminosity. It is striking, however, that the lowest luminosity galaxies in the sample (i.e., those with M(B) > -20) do not show any color gradients. They have boxy isophotes, and are also rotationally flattened. While these properties may be related to the fact that they are companions of larger ellipsoidal systems, it could provide an important clue to the formation of ellipticals. Low luminosity ellipticals that are not close companions to giant ellipticals need to be studied.
Results of photoelectric UBVRI photometry of 78 stars and photographic PDS and CCD photometry for 437 stars are presented for Collinder 110, an old open cluster at low Galactic latitude. Proper motions obtained from Lick Sky Survey plates were used to identify 39 stars as foreground objects. The cluster's reddening, distance, and age are estimated as E(B-V)=0.50+/-0.03mag, r=1950+/-300pc, and t=1.4+/-0.3Gyr, assuming a solar metal abundance.
As part of a thorough study of the luminosity function of Sco-Cen, UBV, and H_{beta}_ photometry has been acquired for a large number of mid B- to late A-type stars which are within or surrounding the Scorpius-Centaurus OB association. UBV and H_{beta}_ photoelectric measures have been obtained for all the B stars without previous observations and for many of those with in the large field 280deg<=l<=362deg, +10deg<=b<=+40deg, and m-M<=7.5mag. Within the upper Scopius subgroup (ScoOB2), 341deg<=l<=362deg, +10=<b=<30deg, UBV and H_{beta}_ photometry was obtained for all B stars listed in the MSC(HD) catalog. As well, UBV measures were obtained for all the A-type stars within this field.
Photoelectric and spectroscopic observations of the protoplanetary object V1853 Cyg, a B supergiant with an IR excess, are given. The observations were carried out with a UBV photometer attached to the 60-cm Zeiss telescope at the Crimean Station of the Stenberg Astronomical Institute.
We present a proper-motion, CCD photometric study of stars in the distant halo globular cluster Palomar 13. The absolute proper motion of Pal 13 with respect to the background galaxies, derived from moderate-scale photographic plates separated by a 40 year baseline, is (pmRAcosDE, pmDE)=(2.30, 0.27)+/-(0.26, 0.25)mas/yr.
From observations at the European Southern Observatory, spectrographic and photometric data are presented for 91 supergiant stars belonging to the Small Magellanic Cloud and its Wing. The data include MK classes for 52 stars, radial velocity data for 51 stars and UBV photometry for 90 stars. In V the limiting magnitude for the spectrographic observations is 13.7 and for the photometric observations 13.9. Whenever possible, radial velocities for interstellar CaII and [OII] have been measured and listed. In Remarks to the Catalogue notes are given for the individual stars concerning the obtained data and comparisons with results of previous investigations.
Our goals were to analyse 52 photographic and 651 electronic spectra of beta Lyr to obtain additional information about circumstellar matter and to investigate spectrophotometric information for the first time.
New, accurate radial velocities and photoelectric UBV photometry of 83 red-giant candidates in the field of the rich, intermediate-age open cluster NGC 2477 ([Fe/H]=-0.05, age ~1Gyr) are presented and discussed. From 49 constant-velocity members we find a mean cluster velocity of +7.32+/-0.13km/s and confirm the membership of 76 of the stars. Among the cluster members, we identify 26 definite and 1 probable spectroscopic binaries and determine orbits for 13 of these systems, with periods ranging from 40 to 4578 days. The binary frequency is thus rather high (27/76=36%). The observed internal radial velocity dispersion of the cluster, as determined from the single member stars, is 0.93km/s, corrected for the small average observational error of 0.22km/s. Fitting King-type models to the observed stellar density distribution and velocity dispersion, and assuming a distance of 1.25kpc, we find the core and tidal radii of NGC 2477 to be 1.8 and 8.1pc, respectively, and estimate that the mass of cluster stars down to V=17, corresponding to ~1M_{sun}_, is at least 5400 M_{sun}_. The substantial differential reddening of NGC 247 requires a more detailed study before definitive isochrone fits can be made.
The A-type star HR 6412 = V2368 Oph was used by several investigators as a photometric comparison star for the known eclipsing binary U Oph but was found to be variable by three independent groups, including us. By analysing series of new spectral and photometric observations and a critical compilation of available radial velocities, we were able to find the correct period of light and radial-velocity variations and demonstrate that the object is an eclipsing and double-lined spectroscopic binary moving in a highly eccentric orbit. We derived a linear ephemeris Tmin.I=HJD(2454294.67+/-0.01)+(38.32712+/-0.00004)d*E and estimated preliminary basic physical properties of the binary.
