We present precision CCD photometry, a period study, and a two-color simultaneous Wilson code solution of the short-period contact binary CK Bootis. The asymmetric light curves were modeled by a dark spot on the primary component. The result identifies that CK Boo is an A-type W UMa binary with a high fillout of f=71.7(+/-4.4)%. From the O-C curve, it is found that the orbital period changes in a complicated mode, i.e., a long-term increase with two sinusoidal variations. One cyclic oscillation with a period of 10.67(+/-0.20)yr may result from magnetic activity cycles, which are identified by the variability of Max. I-Max. II. Another sinusoidal variation (i.e., A=0.0131days(+/-0.0009days) and P3=24.16(+/-0.64)yr) may be attributed to the light-time effect due to a third body. This kind of additional companion can extract angular momentum from the central binary system. The orbital period secularly increases at a rate of dP/dt=+9.79(+/-0.80)*10^-8days/yr, which may be interpreted by conservative mass transfer from the secondary to the primary. This kind of deep, low-mass ratio overcontact binaries may evolve into a rapid-rotating single star, only if the contact configuration do not break down at J_spin_>(1/3)J_orb_.
We present charge-coupled device (CCD) photometry for the short-period K-type binary EI CVn, observed on 2009 February 28 at the Xinglong Station of National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences. By using the Wilson-Devinney program, the photometric solution was first deduced from our VR observations.
We report the results of CCD V and R photometry of the RR Lyrae stars in M2. The periodicities of most variables are revised and new ephemerides are calculated. Light-curve decomposition of the RR Lyrae stars was carried out and the corresponding mean physical parameters [Fe/H]=-1.47, Teff=6276K, logL=1.63L_{sun}_ and M_V_=0.71 from nine RRab and [Fe/H]=-1.61, M=0.54M_{sun}_, Teff=7215K, logL=1.74L_{sun}_ and M_V_=0.71 from two RRc stars were calculated. A comparison of the radii obtained from the above luminosity and temperature with predicted radii from non-linear convective models is discussed. The estimated mean distance to the cluster is 10.49+/-0.15kpc. These results place M2 correctly in the general globular cluster sequences for Oosterhoff type, mass, luminosity and temperature, all as a function of the metallicity. Mean relationships for M, logL/L_{sun}_, Teff and MV as a function of [Fe/H] for a family of globular clusters are offered. These trends are consistent with evolutionary and structural notions on the horizontal branch. Eight new variables are reported.
We report the results of CCD V and r photometry of the globular cluster NGC 5466. The difference image analysis technique adopted in this work has resulted in accurate time series photometry even in crowded regions of the cluster enabling us to discover five probably semi-regular variables. We present new photometry of three previously known eclipsing binaries and six SX Phe stars. The light curves of the RR Lyrae stars have been decomposed in their Fourier harmonics and their fundamental physical parameters have been estimated using semi-empirical calibrations. The zero points of the metallicity, luminosity and temperature scales are discussed and our Fourier results are transformed accordingly. The average iron abundance and distance to the Sun derived from individual RR Lyrae stars, indicate values of [Fe/H]=-1.91+/-0.19 and D=16.0+/-0.6kpc, or a true distance modulus of 16.02+/-0.09mag, for the parent cluster. These values are respectively in the Zinn & West metallicity scale and in agreement with recent luminosity determinations for the RR Lyrae stars in the LMC. The M_V_-[Fe/H] relation has been recalibrated as M_V_=+(0.18+/-0.03)[Fe/H]+(0.85+/-0.05) using the mean values derived by the Fourier technique on RR Lyrae s tars in a family of clusters. This equation predicts M_V_=0.58mag for [Fe/H]=-1.5, in agreement with the average absolute magnitude of RR Lyrae stars calculated from several independent methods. The M_V-[Fe/H] relationship and the value of [Fe/H] have implications on the age of the globular clusters when determined from the magnitude difference between the horizontal branch and the turn off point (HB-TO method). The above results however would not imply a change in the age of NGC 5466, of 12.5+/-0.9Gyr, estimated from recent isochrone fitting.
We report the results of CCD V and R photometry of the RR Lyrae stars known in NGC 4147. The periodicities of most variables are revised and new ephemerides are calculated. The Blazhko effect has been detected in V2 and V6. Three previously reported variables; V5, V9, and V15 are found to be non-variable. A new variable V18 was discovered with a period of 0.49205-days and an amplitude of 0.15mag. Using the approach of Fourier decomposition of the light curves, the physical parameters of the RRab and RRc variables were estimated. The cluster is of the Oosterhoff type I. With the newly values [Fe/H]=-1.22+/-0.31 and 16.8+/-1.3kpc, the cluster fits very well into the Oosterhoff type-metallicity and metallicity-temperature sequence found in globular clusters. A comparison with ZAHB models indicates that the RRab stars have not yet evolved off the horizontal branch, a result consistent with the mean period of the RRab variables and with the metallicity of the cluster derived in this work.
The environment of supernova remnants (SNRs) is a key factor in their evolution, particularly at later stages of their existence. Mixed-morphology (MM) SNRs have a peculiar centre-filled X-ray shape that remains enigmatic. It is often assumed that they evolve in very dense environments, and that the X-ray morphology is due to interactions between the SNRs and their surroundings. We aim to determine whether VRO 42.05.01 is embedded in, and interacting with, a dense molecular environment. We also aim to understand the multi-wavelength emission from the environment of this SNR, and whether the interstellar material can be responsible for the the MM nature of the source, and for its strange radio and optical shape. We used the IRAM telescope in Pico Veleta, Spain, to search for signs of interaction between the SNR and neighbouring molecular clouds. We observed a region of 260 140 towards the west of VRO 42.05.01 and a region of 80 40 towards the north of the remnant in the ^12^CO J=1-0, ^13^CO J=1-0, and ^12^CO J=2-1 transitions with the EMIR receiver. We made maps of the properties of the observed molecular clouds (peak temperatures, central velocities, velocity dispersions), as well as maps of column density along the line of sight, and ratio of the ^12^CO J=2-1 to ^12^CO J=1-0 transitions.We also analyse archival optical, infrared, and radio spectroscopic data for other hints on the nature of the medium. We do not find conclusive physical proof that the SNR is interacting with the few, clumpy molecular clouds that surround it in the region of our observations, although there is some suggestion of such interaction (in a region outside our map) from infrared emission. We find that there is a velocity gradient in one of the molecular clouds that is consistent with a stellar wind blown by a 12-14M_{sun}_ progenitor star.We reassess the literature distance to VRO 42.05.01, and propose that it has a local standard of rest velocity of ~6km/s, and that it is located 1.0+/-0.4kpc away (the earlier distance value was 4.5+/-1.5kpc).We find that a dust sheet intersects VRO 42.05.01 and is possibly related to its double shell-shaped morphology.
We used the newly commissioned 50cm Binocular Network telescope at Qinghai Station of Purple Mountain Observatory (Chinese Academy of Sciences) to observe the old open cluster NGC188 in V and R as part of a search for variable objects. Our time-series data span a total of 36 days. Radial velocity and proper-motion selection resulted in a sample of 532 genuine cluster members. Isochrone fitting was applied to the cleaned cluster sequence, yielding a distance modulus of (m-M)_V_^0^=11.35+/-0.10mag and a total foreground reddening of E(V-R)=0.062+/-0.002mag. Light-curve solutions were obtained for eight W Ursae Majoris eclipsing binary systems (W UMas), and their orbital parameters were estimated. Using the latter parameters, we estimate a distance to the W UMas that is independent of the host cluster's physical properties. Based on combined fits to six of the W UMas (EP Cep, EQ Cep, ES Cep, V369 Cep, and-for the first time-V370 Cep and V782 Cep), we obtain an average distance modulus of (m-M)_V_^0^=11.31+/-0.08mag, which is comparable to that resulting from our isochrone fits. These six W UMas exhibit an obvious period-luminosity relation. We derive more accurate physical parameters for the W UMa systems and discuss their initial masses and ages. The former show that these W UMa systems have likely undergone angular momentum evolution within a convective envelope (W-type evolution). The ages of the W UMa systems agree well with the cluster's age.
We present V and R CCD photometric sequences of stars and galaxies for calibrating ESO/SERC (R) survey plates in the region of the Shapley supercluster of galaxies.
We use 64{deg}^2^ of deep V and R CCD images to measure the local V- and R-band luminosity functions of galaxies. The V_0_<16.7 and R_0_<16.2 redshift samples contain 1255 and 1251 galaxies and are 98.1% and 98.2% complete, respectively.
We present 1256 new photometric observations of 36 Cepheids with periods longer than 8 days. The majority are likely type II Cepheids, but we have included about a dozen classical Cepheids for comparison purposes, a few stars of uncertain type, and one putative RV Tauri star. We discuss the appearance of the light curves, the Fourier parameters, and the light-curve stability in terms of differentiation between type I and type II Cepheids. Although we encounter the same difficulties as previous investigators in using these parameters for this purpose, we are able to identify some stars of particular interest, including several likely type I Cepheids at large distances from the Galactic plane. Six stars with especially large period changes are identified and discussed.
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