Ages derived from the low mass stars still contracting onto the main sequence often differ from ages derived from the high mass ones that have already evolved away from it. We investigate the general claim of disagreement between these two independent age determinations by representing UBVRI photometry of the young galactic open clusters NGC 2232, NGC 2516, NGC 2547 and NGC 4755, spanning the age range ~10-150Myr.
Extensive optical and infrared photometry as well as low and high resolution spectroscopy are used as inputs in deriving robust estimates of the reddening, distance and nature of the progenitor of V838 Mon, the 2002 outbursting event that produced a most spectacular light-echo.
Deep CCD UBV(RI)c photometry has been carried out in the area of the open cluster Stock 16. The different photometric diagrams indicate the presence of three superimposed stellar groups, all composed of early type stars.
The Asiago photographic archive has been searched for plates containing the symbiotic stars Hen 2-468, QW Sge, LT Del, V407 Cyg, K 3-9, V335 Vul, FG Ser and Draco C-1. A total of 635 plates imaging the program stars have been found and the brightness estimated using the Henden & Munari (2000A&AS..143..343H) UBV(RI) photometric sequences. These historical data have allowed for the first time the determination of the orbital periods of Hen 2-468 (774 days) and QW Sge (390.5 days), a significant improvement in the orbital period of LT Del (465.6 days) and for V407 Cyg an evaluation of the Mira's pulsation period and complex lightcurve shape in the red (R and I bands). Some previously unknown outbursts have been discovered too.
The first UBV(RI)_C time series photometry of the RRd star V372 Ser is presented to determine some parameters of the star. In April, May 2007 2812 U, B, V, R_C, I_C frames were obtained at Konkoly and Teide Observatories, 1508 V observations were collected from the literature. Fourier fitted light curves have been derived in all bands. The non-linearly coupled frequencies f_0=(2.121840+/-.000001)c/day, f_1_=(2.851188+/-.000001)c/d, i.e. periods P_0_=0.4712891+/-.0000002days, P_1_=0.3507310+/-.0000001d, P_1_/P_0_=0.7441950, amplitudes A_0_(V)=0.15399mag, A_1_(V)=0.20591mag, and phases have been found. A_1_/A_0_=1.319+/-.008 has been found from averaging the amplitude ratio in the different bands i.e. the first overtone is the dominant pulsation mode. From the V observations upper limits are given for secular change of the Fourier parameters. The period ratio and period put V372 Ser among the RRd stars of the globular clusters M3 and IC 4499, mass, luminosity, and metallicity estimates are given.
We present a comprehensive UBVRI and Washington CT_1_T_2_ photometric analysis of seven catalogued open clusters, namely: Ruprecht 3, 9, 37, 74, 150, ESO 324-15 and 436-2. The multiband photometric data sets in combination with 2MASS photometry and Gaia astrometry for the brighter stars were used to estimate their structural parameters and fundamental astrophysical properties. We found that Ruprecht 3 and ESO 436-2 do not show self-consistent evidence of being physical systems. The remained studied objects are open clusters of intermediate age (9.0<=log(t[yr^-1^])<=9.6), of relatively small size (r_cls_~0.4-1.3pc) and placed between 0.6 and 2.9kpc from the Sun. We analysed the relationships between core, half-mass, tidal and Jacoby radii as well as half-mass relaxation times to conclude that the studied clusters are in an evolved dynamical stage. The total cluster masses obtained by summing those of the observed cluster stars resulted to be ~10-15 per cent of the masses of open clusters of similar age located closer than 2kpc from the Sun. We found that cluster stars occupy volumes as large as those for tidally filled clusters.
Photoelectric light curves of BH Vir in the UBVRI bands observed by Arevalo et al. (1987IBVS.3117....1A, 1990ApJ...354..352Z) in 1986 were analyzed by using the latest version of the Wilson-Devinney program and to investigate the photometric parameters and spot activity. Satisfactory fits were obtained by assuming a hot spot only on the secondary star.
UBVR_C_I_C_ photometry of the W UMa eclipsing binary FI Bootis has been obtained and analyzed simultaneously with previously published photometry and radial velocities. The analysis of the light and radial velocity curves shows that the system is an A-type W UMa system consisting of stars with masses 0.82 and 0.31M_{sun}_.
We present first results of our search for high-redshift galaxies in deep CCD mosaic images. As a pilot study for a larger survey, very deep images of the Chandra Deep Field South (CDFS), taken with WFI@MPG/ESO2.2m, are used to select large samples of 1070 U-band and 565 B-band dropouts with the Lyman-break method.
