Showing papers in "Astronomy Reports in 2003"

Model atmospheres of red giants

Abstract: Techniques and results of computations of model atmospheres are discussed for M and C giants and for giants with abundance anomalies. The SAM12 code, a modification of the ATLAS12 code developed by Kurucz, is used. Blanketing effects due to atomic and molecular line absorption are taken into account using the opacity-sampling approach. The computed model atmosphere for the Sun (G2V) is used as a test of the SAM12 code. The model red-giant atmospheres are compared with models reported in other studies. Comparisons between the computed and observed spectral energy distributions are given for the C giant WX Cyg (C-J6) and Sakurai's object (V4334 Sgr).

Proper motions of open star clusters and the rotation rate of the galaxy

Abstract: The mean proper motions of 167 Galactic open clusters with radial-velocity measurements are computed from the data of the Tycho-2 catalog using kinematic and photometric cluster membership criteria The resulting catalog is compared to the results of other studies The new proper motions are used to infer the Galactic rotation rate at the solar circle, which is found to be ω0=+246±08 km s−1 kpc−1 Analysis of the dependence of the dispersion of ω0 estimates on heliocentric velocity showed that even the proper motions of clusters with distances r>3 kpc contain enough useful information to be used in kinematic studies demonstrating that the determination of proper motions is quite justified even for very distant clusters

Morphology of the Interaction Between the Stream and Cool Accretion Disk in a Semidetached Binary System

Abstract: We analyze heating and cooling processes in accretion disks in binaries. For realistic parameters of the accretion disks in close binaries ( $$\dot M \simeq 10^{ - 12} - 10^7 M_ \odot /yr$$ and α⋍10−1–10−2), the gas temperature in the outer parts of the disk is from ∼104 to ∼106 K. Our previous gas-dynamical studies of mass transfer in close binaries indicate that, for hot disks (with temperatures for the outer parts of the disk of several hundred thousand K), the interaction between the stream from the inner Lagrange point and the disk is shockless. To study the morphology of the interaction between the stream and a cool accretion disk, we carried out three-dimensional modeling of the flow structure in a binary for the case when the gas temperature in the outer parts of the forming disk does not exceed 13 600 K. The flow pattern indicates that the interaction is again shockless. The computations provide evidence that, as is the case for hot disks, the zone of enhanced energy release (the “hot line”) is located beyond the disk and originates due to the interaction between the circumdisk halo and the stream.

Minimum velocity dispersion in stable stellar disks. Numerical simulations

Abstract: N-body dynamical simulations are used to analyze the conditions for the gravitational stability of a three-dimensional stellar disk in the gravitational field of two rigid spherical components—a bulge and halo whose central concentrations and relative masses vary over wide ranges. The number of point masses N in the simulations varies from 40 to 500 000 and the evolution of the simulated systems is followed over 10–20 rotation periods of the outer edge of the disk. The initially unstable disks are heated and, as a rule, reach a quasi-stationary equilibrium with a steady-state radial-velocity dispersion cr over five to eight turns. The radial behavior of the Toomre stability parameter QT(r) for the final state of the disk is estimated. Simple models are used to analyze the dependence of the gravitational stability of the disk on the relative masses of the spherical components, disk thickness, degree of differential rotation, and initial state of the disk. Formal application of existing, analytical, local criteria for marginal stability of the disk can lead to errors in cr of more than a factor of 1.5. It is suggested that the approximate constancy of QT⋍1.2–1.5 for r⋍(1–2)×L (where L is the radial scale of disk surface density), valid for a wide range of models, can be used to estimate upper limits for the mass and density of a disk based on the observed distributions of the rotational velocity of the gaseous component and of the stellar velocity dispersion.

Cepheids in LMC Clusters and the Period-Age Relation

Abstract: We have made a new comparison of the positions of Cepheids and clusters in the LMC and constructed a new empirical period-age relation taking into account all available data on Cepheids in the LMC bar provided by the OGLE project. The most probable relation is logT=8.50−0.65 logP, in reasonably good agreement with theoretical expectations. Numerous Cepheids in rich clusters of the LMC provide the best data for comparing theories of stellar evolution and pulsation and the dynamical evolution of clusters with observations. These data suggest that stars undergoing their first crossing of the instability strip are first-overtone pulsators, though the converse is true of only a small fraction of first-overtone stars. Several rich clusters with suitable ages have no Cepheids—a fact that is not understood and requires verification. Differences in the concentration of Cepheids toward their cluster centers probably reflect the fact that the clusters are at different stages of their dynamical evolution, with the Cepheids in cluster coronas being ejected from the cluster cores during dynamical interactions between stars.

Supersoft X-ray Sources. Parameters of Stellar Atmospheres

Abstract: ROSAT spectra of 11 supersoft X-ray sources are approximated with theoretical spectra obtained in LTE models for the atmospheres of hot white dwarfs with line blanketing. The confidence intervals of parameters derived from these approximations—Teff, log, g, NH, and R2/d2—are determined. The results are compared with predictions for a model with stable/recurrent thermonuclear burning on the white-dwarf surface.

The impact of reflection effects on the parameters of the old pre-cataclysmic variables MS Peg and LM Com

Abstract: We have determined the main parameters of the old precataclysmic variable stars MS Peg and LM Com. The radial velocities of the components, reflection effects in the spectra, and light curves of the systems are studied based on model stellar atmospheres subject to external irradiation. Forty-seven moderate-resolution spectra for MS Peg and 57 for LM Com obtained with the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory are used to derive the refined orbital periods of 0.1736660 days and 0.2586873 days, respectively; the orbital eccentricities do not exceed e=0.04. The mass (M w =0.49e ⊙) and radius (e w =0.015R ⊙) of the MS Peg primary calculated using the gravitational redshift correspond to those for a cooling carbon white dwarf with a thin hydrogen envelope. The parameters of the red dwarf (M r =0.19M ⊙, T eff=3560 K, R r =0.18R ⊙) are close to those derived from evolutionary tracks for main-sequence M stars with solar chemical composition. The radius (R r =0.22R ⊙) and temperature (T eff=3650 K) of the LM Com secondary exceed theoretical estimates for main-sequence stars with masses of M r =0.17M ⊙. The luminosity excess of the red dwarf in LM Com can be explained by a prolonged (T>5×106 yrs) relaxation of the M star to its normal state after the binary leaves the common-envelope stage. For both systems, theoretical U, B, V, and R light curves and spectra calculated using the adopted sets of parameters are generally consistent with the observations. This confirms the radiative origin of the hot spots, the unimportance of horizontal radiative transport, and the absence of large-scale velocity fields with high values (V trans>50 km/s) at the surfaces of the secondaries. Most of the emission lines in the spectra of these objects are formed under conditions close to thermalization, enabling modeling of their pro files in an LTE approximation. A strong λ3905 A emission line has been identified as the 3s 23p4s 1P 0-3s 23p 2 1S SiI λ3905.52 A line formed in the atmosphere of the hot spot. The observed intensity can be explained by non-LTE “superionization” of SiI atoms by soft UV radiation from the white dwarf. We suggest a technique for identifying binaries whose cool components are subject to UV irradiation based on observations of λ3905 A emission in their spectra.

Large-scale dimmings produced by solar coronal mass ejections according to SOHO/EIT data in four EUV lines

Abstract: SOHO/EIT data are used to analyze dimmings, or transient coronal holes (regions of reduced soft-X-ray and EUV emission), which are observed on the solar disk after halo-type coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Simultaneous observations in the 171 A FeIX/X, 195 A FeXII, and 284 A FeIX coronal lines, which are sensitive to temperatures of T e ≈1.2, 1.5, and 2.0 MK, respectively, are considered, together with the 304 A HeII transition-region line (T e ≈(0.02–0.08) MK). Difference images taken at intervals of six and twelve hours and compensated for solar rotation indicate that dimmings are normally strongly pronounced and have similar large-scale structures in the moderate-excitation-temperature 171 A and 195 A coronal lines, while the higher-temperature 284 A line mainly display the deepest portions of the dimmings. In addition, clear dimmings with relatively small areas are visible in the 304 A transition-region line during many CMEs, in particular, in regions adjacent to the source of the eruption. Moreover, dimmings in the transition region without coronal counterparts are observed during some events. These results suggest that the opening of magnetic-field lines and the resulting density reduction that occur during a CME can also involve cold plasma of the transition region. In addition, the effects of temperature variations cannot be ruled out for some dimming structures.

Wolf-Rayet stars, black holes, and gamma-ray bursters in close binaries

Abstract: We consider the evolutionary status of observed close binary systems containing black holes and Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars. When the component masses and the orbital period of a system are known, the reason for the formation of a WR star in an initial massive system of two main-sequence stars can be established. Such WR stars can form due to the action of the stellar wind from a massive OB star (MOB≥50M⊙), conservative mass transfer between components with close initial masses, or the loss of the common envelope in a system with a large (up to ∼25) initial component mass ratio. The strong impact of observational selection effects on the creation of samples of close binaries with black holes and WR stars is demonstrated. We estimate theoretical mass-loss rates for WR stars, which are essential for our understanding the observed ratio of the numbers of carbon and nitrogen WR stars in the Galaxy \(\dot M_{WR} (M_ \odot yr^{ - 1} ) = 5 \times 10^{ - 7} (M_{WR} /M_ \odot )^{1.3} \). We also estimate the minimum initial masses of the components in close binaries producing black holes and WR stars to be ∼25M⊙. The spatial velocities of systems with black holes indicate that, during the formation of a black hole from a WR star, the mass loss reaches at least several solar masses. The rate of formation of rapidly rotating Kerr black holes in close binaries in the Galaxy is ∼3×10−6 yr−1. Their formation may be accompanied by a burst of gamma radiation, possibly providing clues to the nature of gamma-ray bursts. The initial distribution of the component mass ratios for close binaries is dN∼dq=dM2/M1 in the interval 0.04≲q0≤1, suggesting a single mechanism for their formation.

Spectra, Optical Identifications, and Statistics of a Complete Sample of Radio Sources at Declinations 10 ◦ -12 ◦ 30

Abstract: The results of 0.97, 2.3, 3.9, 7.7, 11.1, and 21.7 GHz observations of a complete sample of radio sources obtained on the RATAN-600 radio telescope are presented. The sample is comprised of sources from the 4.85-GHz MGB survey, and contains all sources at declinations 10°–12°30′ (J2000) with Galactic latitudes |b|>15° and flux densities S 4.85>200 mJy. Optical identifications have been obtained for about 86% of the radio sources with flat spectra and 59% of those with steep spectra. The spectra of the flat-spectrum sources have been decomposed into extended and compact components.

Simultaneous Dual-Frequency Observations of Giant Radio Pulses from the Millisecond Pulsar B1937+21

Abstract: Simultaneous dual-frequency observations of giant radio pulses from the millisecond pulsar B1937+21 were performed for the first time in January–February 2002 on the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (2210–2250 MHz) and the 64-m Kalyazin radio telescope (1414–1446 MHz) The total observing time was about three hours Ten giant pulses with peak flux densities from 600 to 1800 Jy were detected at 2210–2250 MHz, and fifteen giant pulses with peak flux densities from 3000 to 10000 Jy were observed at 1414–1446 MHz No events were found to occur simultaneously at both frequencies Thus, the observed radio spectra of individual giant pulses of this pulsar are limited in frequency to scales of about \(\frac{{\Delta v}}{v} < 05\) The duration of the giant pulses is less than 100 ns and is consistent with the expected scattering timescale in these frequency ranges Instantaneous radio spectra of the detected giant pulses were compared with the diffractive spectra obtained from ordinary pulses of the pulsar In some cases, considerable deviations of the radio spectra of the giant pulses from the diffractive spectrum were revealed, which can be interpreted as indicating temporal structure of the giant pulses on timescales of 10–100 ns

UBVJHKLM photometry of the symbiotic Mira V407 Cyg in 1998–2002

Abstract: New results of UBV JHKLM photometry of the symbiotic Mira V407 Cyg performed in 1998–2002 are reported. In 2002, these observations were supplemented with RI observations and a search for rapid variability in the V band. The hot component of V407 Cyg experienced a strong flare in 1998, which was the second in the history of photometric observations of this star; this flare is still continuing. During the flare, the spectral energy distribution of the hot component can be approximated by blackbody radiation with a temperature of ∼7200 K. At the maximum brightness, the bolometric flux from the hot component did not exceed 3% of the Mira's mean bolometric flux, while its bolometric luminosity was ∼400L⊙. Appreciable variations of the star's BV brightness \((\tilde0\mathop m\limits_. 7)\) on a timescale of several days have been observed. These variations are not correlated with variations of B-V. Flickering on a timescale of several minutes with an amplitude of \(\tilde0\mathop m\limits_. 2\) has been detected in the V band. The observations suggest that the hot component can be in three qualitatively different states. In a model with a rapidly rotating white dwarf, these states can be associated with (i) the quiescent state of the white dwarf (with a very low accretion rate), (ii) an ejection state, and (iii) an accretion state. The Mira pulsation period P is \( \approx 762\mathop d\limits_. 9\), with its infrared maximum occurring ∼0.15P after the visual maximum. A “step” is observed on the ascending branch of the Mira infrared light curves. In 1998, the gradual increase of the mean K brightness of the Mira that had been observed since 1984 was interrupted by an unusually deep minimum, after which the mean level of the K brightness considerably decreased.

Interpretation of Light Curves of the Cataclysmic Variable OY Car in a Model with Shockless Interaction between a Gaseous Stream and the Disk

Abstract: To determine the parameters of the accretion disk and shock-wave region responsible for the formation of the orbital peak in the light curve of the binary system OY Car (an SU UMa-type variable), we have analyzed its U BV R and JK light curves using two gas-dynamical models with different regions of shock interaction: one with a hot line along the stream from the Lagrange point L1 and one with a hot spot on the accretion disk. The hot-line model can better describe the quiescent state of the system: the maximum X 2 for the optical light curves does not exceed 207, whereas the minimum residual for the hot-spot model is X 2>290. The shape of the eclipse is almost identical in both models; the main differences are in interpreting out-of-eclipse portions of the light curves, whose shape can varyin the transition from one orbital cycle to another. The hot-spot model is not able to describe variations of the system’s brightness at orbital phases ϕ∼0.1–0.6. The rather complex behavior of the observed flux in this phase interval can be explained in the hot-line model as being due to variations of the temperature and size of the system. Based on the analysis of a sequence of 20 B curves of OY Car, we conclude that the flux variations in the primary minimum are due to variations of the luminosity of the accretion disk, whereas the flux variability in the vicinity of the orbital peak is due to the combined effect of the radiation of the disk and hot line. The JK light curves of OY Car in the quiescent state and during a small flare also indicate preference for the hot-line model, since the primaryminimum and the flux near quadratures calculated using the hot-spot model are not consistent with the observations.

Butterfly diagram for starspots on LQ Hya

Abstract: Information on the latitude distribution of starspots and changes in this distribution from year to year is very important for our understanding of the nature of stellar activity and for developing dynamo theory. The concept of butterfly diagrams is introduced for highly spotted stars of late spectral types, by analogy to the Maunder diagrams for the Sun. Our approach is based on the zonal spottedness models constructed by Alekseev and Gershberg. A detailed analysis is given for the single active star LQ Hya, and a comparison is made to similar analyses for several stars with two well-separated spot belts—EK Dra, VY Ari, V775 Her, and V833 Tau. The lower boundary of the butterfly diagram drifts toward the equator during the activity-rise phase, i.e., during years when the relative spotted area increases. This effect is clearly expressed for LQ Hya and other stars whose orientation enables observation of both hemispheres and virtually vanishes for V833 Tau, which is viewed nearly pole-on. The upper boundary of the diagram is virtually unchanged for all the considered spotted stars except V775 Her, for which it moves toward the pole. The drift rate of the lower boundary is −1 to −2 deg/yr, a factor of two to three smaller in magnitude than the corresponding solar value. Our analysis provides an independent confirmation of the occurrence of high-latitude spots on stars that are younger than the Sun and whose activity is high but less regular than the solar activity; it also enables the identification of the starting times of stellar cycles.

The zero-acceleration surface around the Local Group of galaxies

Abstract: Recent observational data on the density of the cosmic vacuum are used to obtain an exact solution for the zero-acceleration surface around the Local Group of galaxies. This surface separates the inner region, in which the gravitation of the galaxies dominates, from the outer region, in which the antigravitation of the cosmic vacuum dominates. The zero-acceleration surface is close to a sphere of radius ⋍2 Mpc. The size and shape of the surface have remained nearly constant during the lifetime of the Local Group as a distinct system of galaxies.

Solar large-scale channeled dimmings produced by coronal mass ejections

Abstract: A new type of dimmings, or transient coronal holes (i.e., regions of reduced soft-X-ray and EUV emission), is revealed in analyses of difference solar images obtained with the SOHO EIT ultraviolet telescope at 195 A. Such features can be observed on the solar disk after halo-type coronal mass ejections (CMEs). If several active regions, filaments, and other structures are present on the disk during a major eruptive event, then strongly anisotropic, channel-shaped (“channeled”) dimmings coexist with relatively compact dimmings adjacent to the eruption center. The channeled dimmings are comparable to the compact dimmings in terms of their contrast; stretch along several narrow, extended features (channels); and can span nearly the entire visible disk. Coronal waves, which appear as fronts of enhanced brightness traveling ahead of the dimmings in some halo CME events, are also anisotropic. We argue that such transient phenomena are closely related to the strong disturbance and restructuring of large-scale magnetic fields involved in CMEs, and the channeled character of the dimmings reflects the complexity of the global solar magnetosphere, in particular, near the solar-activity maximum.

Evolution of Wolf-Rayet stars in binary systems: An analysis of the mass and orbital-eccentricity distributions

Abstract: We have undertaken a statistical study of the component mass ratios and the orbital eccentricities of WR + O close binary, detached main-sequence (DMS), contact early-type (CE), and semidetached (SD) systems. A comparison of the characteristics of WR + O systems and of DMS, CE, and SD systems has enabled us to draw certain conclusions about the evolutionary paths of WR + O binaries and to demonstrate that up to 90% of all known WR + O binaries formed as a result of mass transfer in massive close O + O binary systems. Since there is a clear correlation between the component masses in SD systems with subgiants, the absence of an anticorrelation between the masses of the WR stars and O stars in WR + O binaries cannot be considered evidence against the formation of WR + O binaries via mass transfer. The spectroscopic transitional orbital period P tr sp corresponding to the transition from nearly circular orbits (e sp<0.1) to elliptical orbits (e sp≥0.1) is ∼14d for WR + O systems and ∼2d–3d for OB + OB systems. The period range in which all WR + O orbits are circular $$(1\mathop d\limits_. 6 \leqslant P \leqslant 14^d )$$ is close to the range for SD systems with subgiants, $$0\mathop d\limits_. 7 \leqslant P \leqslant 15^d $$ . The large difference between the P tr sp values for WR + O and OB + OB systems suggests that a mechanism of orbit circularization additional to that for OB + OB systems at the DMS stage (tidal dissipation of the orbital energy due to radiative damping of the dynamical tides) acts in WR + O binaries. It is natural to suggest mass transfer in the parent O + O binaries as this supplementary orbit-circularization mechanism. Since the transitional period between circular and elliptical orbits for close binaries with convective envelopes and ages of 5×109 years is $$P_{tr} = 12\mathop d\limits_. 4$$ , the orbits of most known SD systems with subgiants had enough time to circularize during the DMS stage, prior to the mass transfer. Thus, for most SD systems, mass transfer plays a secondary role in circularization of their orbits. In many cases, the initial orbital eccentricities of the O + O binary progenitors of WR + O systems are preserved, due to the low viscosity of the O-star envelopes and the short timescale for their nuclear evolution until the primary O star fills its Roche lobe and the mass transfer begins. The mass transfer in the parent O + O systems is short-lived, and the number of orbital cycles during the early mass-transfer stage is relatively low (lower than for the progenitors of SD systems by three or four orders of magnitude). The continued transfer of mass from the less massive to the more massive star after the component masses have become equal leads to the formation of a WR + O system, and the orbit's residual eccentricity increases to the observed value. The increase of the orbital eccentricity is also facilitated by variable radial mass loss via the wind from the WR star in the WR + O system during its motion in the elliptical orbit. The result is that WR + O binaries can have considerable orbital eccentricities, despite their intense mass transfer. For this reason, the presence of appreciable eccentricities among WR + O binaries with large orbital periods cannot be considered firm evidence against mass transfer in the parent O + O binary systems. Only for the WR + O binaries with the longest orbital periods (4 of 35 known systems, or 11 %) can the evolution of the parent O + O binaries occur without filling of the Roche lobe by the primary O star, being governed by radial outflow in the form of the stellar wind and possibly by the LBV phenomenon, as in the case of HD 5980.

Spectral-temporal evolution of low-frequency pulsations in the microwave radiation of solar flares

Abstract: Low-frequency pulsations of 22 and 37 GHz microwave radiation detected during solar flares are analyzed. Several microwave bursts observed at the Metsahovi Radio Observatory are studied with time resolutions of 100 and 50 ms. A fast Fourier transformation with a sliding window and the Wigner-Ville method are used to obtain frequency-time diagrams for the low-frequency pulsations, which are interpreted as natural oscillations of coronal magnetic loops; the dynamical spectra of the pulsations are synthesized for the first time. Three types of low-frequency fluctuations modulating the flare microwave radiation can be distinguished in the observations. First, there are fast and slow magneto-acoustic oscillations with periods of 0.5–0.8 s and 200–280 s, respectively. The fast magneto-acoustic oscillations appear as trains of narrow-band signals with durations of 100–200 s, a positive frequency drift dν/dt=0.25 MHz/min, and frequency splitting δν=0.01–0.05 Hz. Second, there are natural oscillations of the coronal magnetic loops as equivalent electrical circuits. These oscillations have periods of 0.5–10 s and positive or negative frequency drift rates dν/dt=8×10−3 Hz/min or dν/dt=−1.3×10−2 Hz/min, depending on the phase of the radio outburst. Third, there are modulations of the microwave radiation by short periodic pulses with a period of 20 s. The dynamical spectra of the low-frequency pulsations supply important information about the parameters of the magnetic loops: the ratio of the loop radius to its length r/L≈0.1, the plasma parameter β≈10−3, the ratio of the plasma densities outside and inside the loop ρe/ρi≈10−2, and the electrical current flowing along the loop I≈1012 A.

Solar cyclicity during the Maunder minimum

Abstract: A multifaceted statistical study of all available data on solar activity during the Maunder minimum (1645–1715) is presented. The data include European telescope observations, Asian sunspot observations using the unaided eye, concentrations of cosmogeneous isotopes, and catalogues of polar aurorae. Joint analyses of data on the cosmogeneous isotopes 10Be and 14C are a promising source of information on solar activity in the past. The dates of relative sunspot maxima during the Maunder minimum are consistent with the idea that there were chaotic bursts of solar activity randomly distributed in time during this interval. The available evidence that the 11-year cyclicity was preserved in 1645–1715 are worthy of attention but require additional deep study and verification. No convincing evidence for a 22-year periodicity of the occurrence of sunspots during the Maunder minimum has been found.

Influence of accretion-disk models on the structure of the Iron Κα line

Abstract: Broad iron Κα emission with a characteristic two-peaked profile is observed in most Seyfert galaxies in the X-ray. We have calculated the profiles of such lines emitted by an accretion disk in a Schwartzschild metric. The dependence of the temperature distribution in the disk on the line shape is demonstrated. All the calculations include general relativistic effects. The disk material is assumed to move in circular geodesics in the equatorial plane. The line profile is extremely complex, even in a traditional model for the radial temperature distribution, complicating interpretation of the observational data.

Observational Constraints on Potassium Synthesis During the Formation of Stars of the Galactic Disk

Abstract: The non-LTE potassium abundances in the atmospheres of 33 Galactic-disk stars are derived and the parameters of the atmospheres of 23 of the stars are determined. Neglecting departures from LTE results in a systematic overestimation of the potassium abundances and an increase in their dispersion, even for differential analyses relative to the Sun. The non-LTE corrections are significant ((−0.2)–(−0.6) dex) and depend on the surface gravities and effective temperatures of the stars. The mean potassium abundance for a sample of ten stars with [Fe/H]∼0.0 is in agreement with the solar and meteoritic abundances (log ɛ ⊙(K)=5.12). As the stellar metallicity increases from [Fe/H]=(−1.0) to (0.2) dex, the [K/Fe] ratio decreases systematically from 0.3 dex to −0.1 dex. The derived dependence [K/Fe]-[Fe/H] is in agreement with the results of published model calculations of the chemical evolution of the Galaxy. This indicates the dominance of explosive oxygen burning in massive type II supernovae during the synthesis of potassium in the Galactic disk.

A Dynamical Model of the Galaxy

Abstract: A series of dynamical models of the Galaxy is constructed assuming that the entire disk is near the gravitational-stability limit. This imposes constraints on the dynamical and kinematic parameters of the main subsystems (the disk, bulge, and halo). The disk surface density in the solar neighborhood should not exceed 58 M⊙/pc2. Further, we find that the observed local decrease in the rotational velocity at 6 kpc ≲ r ≲ 10 kpc is not associated with details of the radial distribution of matter in the Galaxy and instead results from dynamical processes or some other factors responsible for noncircular motions. It follows from the presence of a long-lived bar and the observed distribution of the stellar-velocity dispersion that the central maximum in the rotation curve at radius r ⋍ 300 pc cannot be associated with a very concentrated bulge core. The best agreement between the observational data and the parameters of the dynamical models is achieved for a radial disk scale length of L ⋍ 3 kpc. The relative contribution of the disk to the circular rotational velocity at r = 2.2L is 73%.

The subsystem of open clusters in the post-hipparcos era: Cluster structural parameters and proper motions

Abstract: The wide neighborhoods of 401 open clusters are analyzed using the modern, high-precision, homogeneous ASCC-25 all-sky catalog More than 28000 possible cluster members (including about 12500 most probable members) are identified using kinematic and photometric criteria Star counts with the ASCC-25 and USNO-A20 catalogs are used to determine the angular and linear radii of the cluster cores and coronas, which exceed the previously published values by factors of two to three The segregation (differing central concentration) of member stars by magnitude is observed The mean proper motions are determined directly in the Hipparcos system for 401 clusters, for 183 of them for the first time The heliocentric distances of 118 clusters are determined for the first time based on color-magnitude diagrams for their identified members

Photometric and Polarimetric Activity of RZ Psc

Abstract: We present the results of synchronous photometric and polarimetric U BV RI observations of the irregular variable star RZ Psc, acquired at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory in 1989–2002. The star’s photometric behavior is characterized by short, sporadic Algol-like dimmings. We observed only one deep minimum, with a V amplitude of about 1.5m, during the entire observation time. During this minimum, the star’s linear polarization reached 3.5%. Comparisons with polarization observations of RZ Psc during another deep minimum in 1989 show that the two minima can be described by the same polarization-brightness relation, testifying to an eclipsing nature for the minima. This provides evidence that the optical characteristics of the flattened circumstellar dust envelope that gives rise to the star’s intrinsic polarization have remained virtually unchanged over the last 13 years. We argue that the origin of this stability is the presence of a large dust-free cavity in the central region of the circumstellar dust disk of RZ Psc. The cavity could be associated with binarity of the star or the formation of a planetary system, with most of the dust in the central region of the disk being transformed into large bodies—planetesimals and planets.

The chemical composition of stars in the globular clusters M 10, M 12, and M 71

Abstract: The abundances of 19 chemical elements in the atmospheres of five stars belonging to three globular clusters have been determined by applying the model-atmospheremethod to 430.0–790.0 nm spectra obtained with the echelle spectrometer of the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory. The abundances of silicon, calcium, iron-peak elements, copper, zinc, and neutron-capture elements follow the abundance patterns for halo stars. The abundance of sodium in M 10 giants provides evidence that different mixing mechanisms operate in halo and cluster stars or that light elements are enriched in different ways in the pre-stellar matter from which some globular clusters and halo stars were formed.

Masses of Stellar Black Holes and Testing Theories of Gravitation

Abstract: The paper analyzes the mass distribution of stellar black holes derived from the light and radial-velocity curves of optical stars in close binary systems using dynamical methods. The systematic errors inherent in this approach are discussed. These are associated primarily with uncertainties in models for the contribution from gaseous structures to the optical brightness of the systems under consideration. The mass distribution is nearly flat in the range 4–15M ⊙. This is compared with the mass distribution for black holes in massive close binaries, which can be manifest as ultrabright X-ray sources (L x >1039 erg/s) observed in other galaxies. If the X-ray luminosities of these objects correspond to the Eddington limit, the black-hole mass distribution should be described by a power law, which is incompatible with the flat shape derived dynamically from observations of close binaries in our Galaxy. One possible explanation of this discrepancy is the rapid evaporation of stellar-mass black holes predicted in recent multi-dimensional models of gravity. This hypothesis can be verified by refining the stellar black-hole mass spectrum or finding isolated or binary black holes with masses below ∼3M ⊙.

Studies of classical barium stars

Abstract: Using atmosphere models based on high-resolution spectra, we have derived the abundances of chemical elements in the atmospheres of seven classical barium stars and compared them with the elemental abundances of moderate barium stars and normal red giants. The behavior of elements up to the iron peak is the same in all three groups of giants, providing evidence that they have a common origin. The dependence of the anomalous abundances of s-process elements on stellar mass and metallicity is qualitatively similar for all three groups, probably indicating that a substantial role is played by the evolutionary phase of the stars. We conclude that the barium-star phenomenon and the overabundances of s-process elements in barium stars cannot be explained as a consequence of binarity alone. The extent to which the s-process elements are overabundant is affected by the mass, metallicity, and evolutionary phase of the given star, and any of these parameters may prove to be important in a specific object.

Broad-band multicolor photometry and polarimetry of spotted stars

Abstract: We have confirmed the BY Dra-type variability of the active spotted stars MS Ser, LQ Hya, VY Ari, and EK Dra using simultaneous UBVRI photometric and polarimetric observations. We have also reliably detected the intrinsic linear polarization of their radiation and its rotational modulation in U due to the inhomogeneous distribution of active magnetized regions over the surfaces of the stars. Modeling of the linear polarization based on the Zeeman effect indicates that all the stars display strong local magnetic fields (about 2 kG, similar to those in sunspots), with filling factors of up to 40% of the total stellar surface. The magnetized regions coincide with cool photospheric spots detected in photoelectric observations.

Interpretation of Orbital Light Curves of U Geminorum

Abstract: We interpret optical and IR orbital light curves of the dwarf nova U Gem in its quiescent state in the framework of “hot line” and “hot spot” models. The hot-line model provides an adequate fit to the light curves, while the hot-spot model is not fully consistent with the observations. The minimum χ2 residuals for the hot-spot and hot-line models are 2203 and 168, respectively.

A New Model of a Magnetar

Abstract: A new model is put forward to explain the observed features of anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs) and soft gamma-ray repeaters (SGRs). It is shown that drift waves can be excited in the magnetosphere of a neutron star with a rotational period of P∼0.1 s, surface magnetic field B s∼1012 G, and angle between the rotational axis and magnetic moment β<10°. These waves lead to the formation of radiation pulses with a period of P dr∼10 s. The rate of loss of rotational energy by such a star (∼1037 erg/s) is sufficient to produce the observed increase in the period $$(\dot P \sim 10^{ - 10} )$$ , the X-ray luminosities of AXPs and SGRs (∼1034–1036 erg/s), and an injection of relativistic particles into the surrounding supernova remnant. A modulation of the constant component of the radiation with a period of P∼0.1 s is predicted. In order for SGRs to produce gamma-ray bursts, an additional source of energy must be invoked. Radio pulsars with periods of P obs>5 s can be described by the proposed model; in this case, their rotational periods are considerably less than P obs and the observed pulses are due to the drift waves.