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At least 523 records · Page 29

Metallicity of Galactic RR Lyrae from Optical and Infrared Light Curves. II. Period–Fourier–Metallicity Relations for First Overtone RR Lyrae

We present new period-$\phi$ 31 -[Fe/H] relations for first-overtone RRL stars (RRc), calibrated over a broad range of metallicities (–2.5 ≲ [Fe/H] ≲ 0.0) using the largest currently available set of Galactic halo field RRL with homogeneous spectroscopic metallicities. Our relations are defined in the optical (ASAS-SN V band) and, inaugurally, in the infrared (WISE W1 and W2 bands). Our V-band relation can reproduce individual RRc spectroscopic metallicities with a dispersion of 0.30 dex over the entire metallicity range of our calibrator sample (an rms smaller than what we found for other relations in literature including nonlinear terms). Our infrared relation has a similar dispersion in the low- and intermediate-metallicity range ([Fe/H] ≲ –0.5), but tends to underestimate the [Fe/H] abundance around solar metallicity. We tested our relations by measuring both the metallicity of the Sculptor dSph and a sample of Galactic globular clusters, rich in both RRc and RRab stars. The average metallicity we obtain for the combined RRL sample in each cluster is within ±0.08 dex of their spectroscopic metallicities. The infrared and optical relations presented in this work will enable deriving reliable photometric RRL metallicities in conditions where spectroscopic measurements are not feasible; e.g., in distant galaxies or reddened regions (observed with upcoming Extremely Large Telescopes and the James Webb Space Telescope), or in the large sample of new RRL that will be discovered in large-area time-domain photometric surveys (such as the LSST and the Roman space telescope).

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Thallium in the solar atmosphere.

Evidence for the presence of thallium in the sun is presented. Umbral spectra were found to contain an absorption feature at or near the predicted position for the Tl I 5350 A line. Analysis of the 5350 A line indicated that the solar thallium abundance is given by log N(Tl) values ranging from 0.72 to 1.07 on the standard scale log N(H) = 12.00. Unidentified blends, however, limit the accuracy of the abundance determination.

Lambert, D. L.↗

A non-LTE study of silicon line formation in early-type main-sequence atmospheres.

We have computed populations of 16 levels of Si III-V and radiation fields in all connecting transitions; in particular the first six Si III triplet levels, including the 4553 line, and the first six Si IV levels including 4089. The computations were done for four non-LTE H-He model atmospheres, provided by Auer and Mihalas. Estimates of corresponding MK types are B1.5 V, B0.5 V, O9 V, and O6. Solutions were obtained by iterating the linearized equations of radiative transfer and statistical equilibrium, except that for less important lines an approximate equivalent two-level atom treatment was used. Continuous opacities of C, N, O, and Ne were included. All abundances were solar values.

Kamp, L. W.↗

One- and multi-component models of the upper photosphere based on molecular spectra. I - The violet system of CN /0, 0/

Spectroheliograms taken in the CN (0, 0) violet band near 3883 A show very small scale network and cell structures with high contrast. The bandhead itself, which is a broad feature due to overlap of several CN lines, allows the diagnostic simplicity of a continuum since motions, magnetic fields, and broadening mechanisms are unimportant. We have obtained spectroheliograms in the bandhead and center-to-limb photoelectric spectra of CN (0, 0) at Kitt Peak National Observatory. From the photoelectric spectra and a detailed analysis of the formation of the CN (0, 0) spectrum we derive a best-fit one-component upper photospheric model differing from that of the HSRA and recommend a change in solar carbon abundance from the HSRA value.

Mount, G. H.↗

Forbidden Ca 2 in the sun unmasked by way of Venus

Eleven high-dispersion spectra of Venus, taken with blue Doppler shifts have permitted the unmasking of the 7323.88A forbidden line of Ca II from terrestrial absorption. An equivalent width is obtained of 7.4 + or - 0.4mA for this line in integrated sunlight. Our value of W sub lambda is smaller than previous values and much more accurate. The HSRA solar model gives a solar calcium abundance of A sub Ca = 6.21.

Schorn, R. A.↗

Forbidden Ca II in the sun unmasked by way of Venus

Eleven high dispersion spectra of Venus, taken with blue Doppler shifts, have been used to unmask the 7323.88 angstrom forbidden line of Ca II from the earth atmospheric H2O absorption line at 7323.972 angstroms. An equivalent width for the Ca II line has been obtained in integrated sunlight. A model giving the solar calcium abundance is presented.

Schorn, R. A.↗

The rocket-ultraviolet spectrum of the planetary nebula NGC 7027

An ultraviolet spectrum of NGC 7027, obtained with a rocket-borne telescope, is analyzed. Absolute values are presented for the observed fluxes, and upper limits are given for the strongest predicted lines that were not observed. The results are corrected for interstellar extinction using the observed and calculated line ratios between H-beta and the hydrogenic recombination line of He II at 1640 A. The corrected C IV resonance line at 1549 A is found to be in good agreement with the intensity calculated from models, but the intercombination line of C III at 1909 A is found to be too bright by a factor of 10. This discrepancy is reduced to a factor of 4 by taking dielectric recombination into account and is eliminated by using the solar carbon abundance, which implies attenuation in the C IV line. It is shown that no appreciable number of absorbing grains can exist in the C IV-producing region of the nebula since the optical depth is of the order of 10,000 at the line center.

Bohlin, R. C.↗

UH cosmic rays and solar system material - The elements just beyond iron

The nucleosynthesis of cosmic-ray elements between the iron peak and the rare-earth region is examined, and compositional changes introduced by propagation in interstellar space are calculated. Theories on the origin of elements heavier than iron are reviewed, a supernova model of explosive nucleosynthesis is adopted for the ultraheavy (UH) cosmic rays, and computational results for different source distributions are compared with experimental data. It is shown that both the cosmic-ray data and the nucleosynthesis calculations are not yet of sufficient precision to pinpoint the processes occurring in cosmic-ray source regions, that the available data do provide boundary conditions for cosmic-ray nucleosynthesis, and that these limits may apply to the origin of elements in the solar system. Specifically, it is concluded that solar-system abundances appear to be consistent with a superposition of the massive-star core-helium-burning s-process plus explosive-carbon-burning synthesis for the elements from Cu to As and are explained adequately by the s- and r-processes for heavier elements.

Wefel, J. P.↗

Mass loss from UW Canis Majoris

The present analysis is an application of the theory described by Lucy (1971) for the calculation of P Cygni resonance line profiles formed by isotropic and coherent scattering in spherically symmetric expanding circumstellar envelopes. Copernicus satellite measurements of resonance features in the FUV spectrum of the O 7 supergiant UW Canis Majoris (= HD 57060) are compared with theoretical P Cygni profiles. Grids of line profiles are computed using four free parameters which contain information about the velocity law, ionization equilibrium, temperature, and envelope density. Thus, with the assumption of a spherically symmetric steady flow, and of solar element abundances, the stellar mass loss rate and the electron temperature of the expanding shell can be derived. The mass flow is treated in a fully transonic way, i.e., the Sobolev approximation is applied.

Drechsel, H.↗

Theoretical studies of massive stars. II - Evolution of a 15 solar-mass star from carbon shell burning to iron core collapse

The evolution of a Population I star of 15 solar masses is described from the carbon shell burning stage to the formation and collapse of an iron core. An unusual aspect of the evolution is that neon ignition occurs off-center and neon burning propagates inward by a series of shell flashes. The extent of the core burning is generally smaller than the Chandrasekhar mass, so that most of the nuclear energy generation occurs in shell sources. Because of degeneracy and the influence of rapid convective mixing, these shell sources are unstable and the core goes through large excursions in temperature and density. The small core also causes the shell sources to converge into a narrow mass region slightly above the Chandrasekhar mass. Thus, the final nucleosynthesis yields are generally small, with silicon being most strongly enhanced with respect to solar system abundances.

Sparks, W. M.↗