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At least 91 records · Page 5

Companions to peculiar red giants: HR 363 and HR 1105

Recent IUE observations of two Tc-deficient S-type peculiar red giants that are also spectroscopic binaries, HR 363 and HR 1105 are reported. A 675 min SWP exposure of HR 363 shows emission lines of O I 1304 and Si II 1812 and a trace of continuum. Compared to the M giants, the far UV flux may be relatively larger, indicating a possible contribution from a white dwarf companion, but no high temperature emission lines are seen to indicate that this is an interacting system where mass-transfer recently occurred. However, HR 1105 appears to have a highly variable UV companion. In 1982, no UV flux was discerned for this system, but by 1986 C IV was strong, increasing by a factor of 3 in 1987 with prominent lines of Si III, C III, O III, Si IV, and N V. Using orbital parameters, these observations are consistent with high activity occuring when the side of the S-star primary illuminated by the companion faces the Earth, but since the IUE data were taken over 3 orbits, a secular change in the UV component cannot be excluded.

Ake, Thomas B., III

IUE observations of a hot DAO white dwarf: Implications for diffusion theory and photospheric stratification

Observations of the DAO white dwarf PG1210+533, including the first high dispersion spectrum of a hybrid H-He object of this nature were obtained by IUE. In contrast with hot DAs in the 50,000 K temperature range, PG1210+533 shows no narrow interstellar-like metal lines, in spite of an optically observed He/H abundance of 0.1. This lack of metal makes accretion from the ISM an unlikely source for the He in the PG1210+533 photosphere. A significant discovery in the high dispersion spectrum is the existence of a sharp, non-LTE like, core seen in the He II 1640 line. Such features are detected in DO white dwarfs. A small aperture SWP low dispersion observation reveals the Lyman alpha profile of PG1210+533 to be surprisingly weak and narrow. Fits of this profile using pure H models yielded a T(eff) = 56,000 K. Fits of the Balmer H gamma profile however, yield T(eff) = 42,300 K and log g = 8.5 + or - 0.5 for the same models. It is unlikely that homogeneously mixed H-He atmospheres can resolve the inconsistency between the Lyman alpha and H gamma features in this star. Stratified models involving thin H photospheres may be necessary to explain these results.

Holberg, J. B.

Spectral images of HD 199178

High-resolution IUE spectra of the Mg II k line of HD 199178 were analyzed, applying spectral imaging techniques to derive an image of the chromospheric structure and to study the transient behavior of the chromosphere. All spectra in the IUE archives were uniformly reduced and analyzed. Results are compared with ground-based observations of the photosphere. Four ultraviolet flares on HD 199178 are observed; 3 of these occurred at roughly the same rotational phase. There is no clear phase-dependence of the SWP line fluxes, but there is for the Mg II k flux. The emission centroid of the Mg II k line varies in a quasi-sinusoidal fashion, presumably due to the rotation of a nonuniform chromosphere.

Neff, J. E.

Mapping of surface activity on the W UMa-type system VW Cephei

After multifilter photometry of the W UMa-type contact binary VW Cep (P = 6.67 hr; G5V + K0V) in 1986/87 revealed large asymmetries in the light curves believed to be caused by large, cool starspot regions on the surface of the larger stars, in Apr. 1987 it was observed with IUE to study the chromospheres and transition regions of the components. During one complete orbital cycle, three SWP and four LWP low dispersion spectra were obtained, including and then excluding the suspected active region. Phase dependent TR line emission strengths were found, most notably C IV, which is 50 percent stronger when the spot region is most visible. The results could be important because VW Cep represents an extreme case for studying stellar dynamo theory and observations can play a crucial role in the unterstanding of magnetic fields and activity cycles in rapidly rotating solar-like stars.

Bradstreet, David H.

Stellar wind variations in HD 45166: The continuing story

High resolution SWP IUE spectra of HD 45166 (qWR+B8V) obtained over a 36 hr continuous run, together with earlier observations, reveal 2 distinct modes of UV variability in this object. Gross, epoch-linked changes are seen in the strengths of the qWR emission lines, accompanied by large changes in its highly ionized photospheric absorption spectrum. Rapid (hours) variability in strong, multiple, high velocity, wind discrete absorption components (DAC), in the CIV lambda 1550 resonance lines, which superpose to give the appearance of a broad P Cygni absorption profile at many epochs is also observed. These multiple DAC's (often at least 3 are seen) propagate in velocity, from 0.6 to 1.0 v inf, on a timescale of 1 day, implying an acceleration of 180 cm/s comparable to that seen in O-type stars.

Willis, Allan J.

The nebular velocity structure of AG Pegasi

Ultraviolet emission of the symbiotic star AG Peg which shows periodic variations in the central radial velocity and total flux of several emission lines was studied. Seventeen high dispersion archival SWP spectra covering the period from 1978.6 to 1986.9 were examined. Gaussian profiles were fit to each of the narrow emission lines of O III, N III, O IV, Si IV, C III, and Si III. Radial velocity curves with an amplitude of 15 to 20 km/sec were measured for the N III 1748.6 A, 1749.7 A lines, the O III 1660.8 A, 1666.2 A lines, and the C III 1908.7 A line. The O IV and Si IV lines were generally too weakly exposed to derive reliable velocity curves, while the Si III line was often overexposed. The N III, O III, and C III line fluxes are correlated with phase. These line flux and velocity changes are consistent with formation of the lines near the red giant.

Oliversen, Nancy A.

The small scale structure of the interstellar medium in the Orion association: The flotsam of star formation

The small scale dynamics and structure of the interstellar medium of the Orion OB1b, c association was studied using IUE high dispersion SWP and LWR/LWP spectra. The area surveyed centers on the Belt and encompasses the Orion Cloak. The dynamics and abundances of the ionized and warm neutral gas surrounding the central parts of the association are determined using 35 B stars. Results are compared with the picture of the Orion interstellar medium gained using COPERNICUS, especially for the structure and dynamics of the Orion Cloak.

Sonneborn, G.

Empirical continuum modeling for IUE low-dispersion spectra

A numerical procedure for empirically determining a 'continuum' level in low-dispersion spectra from the IUE is described. The technique was developed for the automated fitting of SWP-LO (1150 A - 2000 A) spectra of stars of late spectral type, but it is more widely applicable.

Bennett, Jeffrey O.

Sanduleak's Star (LMC Anonymous) - Its similarity in the far-ultraviolet with the luminous object Eta Carinae and SN 1987A

Low-resolution IUE SWP spectra of the peculiar object LMC Anonymous (Sanduleak's Star) indicates strong evidence for CNO-processed nebula in the vicinity of the star. The far-UV spectrum of LMC Anonymous closely resembles that of the S Condensation of Eta Carinae. The similarity between LMC Anonymous and the S Condensation is apparent from the absolute intensity of the N V, semiforbidden N IV, and semiforbidden N III emission lines compared with the reduced strength of C IV or semiforbidden C III emission. IUE spectra of the S Condensation and SN 1987A may provide important clues concerning the nature of LMC Anonymous, which indicates departures from normal cosmic abundances of nitrogen relative to carbon that are extreme. This may suggest that carbon envelope burning and dredge-up occurred simultaneously during the helium-burning stage.

Michalitsianos, A. G.

Rotational modulation and flares on RS Canum Venaticorum and BY Draconis stars. XI - Ultraviolet spectral images of AR Lacertae in September 1985

High-resolution IUE SWP and LWP spectra of the bright eclipsing RS CVn system AR Lac, obtained during 40 h of continuous observations on September 18-19, 1985, are compiled and used to derive chromosphere images. The data and results are presented graphically and discussed in detail. The K 0 IV star is found to have a globally brighter trailing hemisphere and at least three distinct plage regions; the G 2 IV star has a flaring region with significant redshift and line-emission broadening and exhibits factor-of-3 variability in total emission, attributed to the presence of a large chromospherically inactive region.

Neff, J. E.

On the signal-to-noise ratio in IUE high-dispersion spectra

An observational and data reduction technique for fixed pattern noise (FPN) and random noise (RN) in fully extracted IUE high-dispersion spectra is described in detail, along with actual empirical values of signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) achieved. A co-addition procedure, involving SWP and LWR cameras observations of the same spectrum at different positions in the image format, provides a basis to disentangle FPN from RN, allowing each average amplitude, within a given wavelength interval, to be estimated as a function of average flux number. Empirical curves, derived with the noise algorithm, make it possible to estimate the S/N in individual spectra at the wavelengths investigated. The average S/N at the continuum level in well-exposed stellar spectra varies from 10 to 20, for the orders analyzed, depending on position in the spectral format. The co-addition procedure yields an improvement in S/N by factors ranging from 2.3 to 2.9. Direct measurements of S/N in narrow, line-free wavelength intervals of individual and co-added spectra for weak-lined stars yield comparable, or in some cases somewhat higher, S/N values and improvement factors.

Leckrone, David S.

The UV silicon spectra of early B stars

Equivalent widths of UV silicon lines obtained from high dispersion IUE SWP spectra for a sample of 37 mid- to early B stars are presented. These are compared to other atmospheric diagnostics and to model atmosphere calculations. It is found that some of the UV silicon lines are extremely sensitive to stellar temperature and luminosity over the range B5-B0.5, or roughly a factor of two in effective temperature. The potential usefulness of these lines is stressed, and it is demonstrated that they could determine temperatures and surface gravities to the same accuracy as other commonly used diagnostics once adequate models become available. Although the available models fail to predict the quantitative behavior of the line strengths, they do, in most instances, describe their qualitative behavior. Since the existing models are somewhat out of date, the results suggest that models based upon more complete opacity tables may be quite reliable.

Massa, D.

The evolution of magnetic activity on V711 Tauri and evidence for a significant facular contribution

The nature of the long-term evolution of magnetic activity in the RS CVn binary V711 Tauri is investigated using the complete set of available archival IUE SWP low-dispersion spectra of V711 Tau for the period covering August 1978 - December 1984. An analysis of the spectra confirmed the pattern of a long-term smooth variation of chromospheric and transition region emission found previosly by Dorren et al. (1986). An explanation of the relationship between the different facets of the magnetic activity on V711 Tau is presented.

Dorren, J. D.

The hot DOA1 degenerate HZ 21 - A search for circumstellar/photospheric metals and peculiar absorption at He II

A high-resolution IUE spectrum of the hot DO1 degenerate HZ 21 was obtained by combining US1 + European 2 low-background observing shifts. The SWP image reveals a rich spectrum of interstellar absorption lines with an average velocity in the line of sight to HZ 21 of -30 km/s. However, there is no clear evidence of any highly or lowly ionized metal features which could be attributed to circumstellar, wind, or photospheric absorption. There is, however, a broad absorption trough at He II (1640) which was not unexpected, given the clear presence of He II (4686) absorption in this star's optical spectrum. The velocity width of He II (1640) appears consistent with photospheric absorption wings which appear to flank the geocoronal Ly-alpha emission feature. The He II (1640) feature reveals what appears to be a broad (310 km/s) emission reversal. Evidence is provided that the emission reversal is probably real.

Fritz, M. L.

Camera artifacts in IUE low-dispersion spectra

Sky-background images obtained by the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) were analyzed to study artificial spectral features (camera artifacts) in low-dispersion spectra. The artifacts mimic emission features and have been present in long-exposure spectra since the launch of the IUE satellite. The camera artifacts are strong in spectra characterized by long exposure times because they scale in time-integrated flux with the background level, which increases during the exposure due to camera phosphorescence. The artifacts cannot be detected in spectra obtained from short, direct exposures of flat-field lamps or standard stars. Plots of average sky-background spectra for the three operational IUE cameras (SWP, LWP, and LWR) are given to aid scientists in the identification of artifacts in their spectra.

Crenshaw, D. Michael

A new temperature determination for Sirius B from IUE - Implications for the observed soft X-ray fluxes

IUE archive obserbations were used to obtain a new and independent estimate of the effective temperature of Sirius B. The observed Lyman alpha profile of Sirius B was modeled as a function of effective temperature and T(eff) = 24,500 + or - 500 K was found. This temperature is in good agreement with a recent result obtained from analysis of Exosat soft X-ray spectra of Sirius B. In addition to providing confirmation of the soft X-ray result, this temperature implies that Sirius B is significantly cooler and larger in radius than most previous estimates. The radius, R = 0.090 + or - 0.005 solar mass, implied by the lower temperature is well in excess of the radius of fully degenerate star having the mass of Sirius B. This investigation employed a unique set of SWP archive spectra, acquired with Sirius B in the small aperture, which have proved to be free of scattered light contamination from Sirius A.

Kidder, K.

IUE observations of WX Ceti in outburst

IUE observations of the peculiar dwarf nova WX Ceti roughly two weeks into a rare outburst, the first since 1963, are obtained. The SWP and LWP observations are very similar to other erupting dwarf novae, both in the line and continuum spectrum. The C IV 1549 A doublet displays blueshifted absorption, indicating the presence of a wind which has a terminal velocity of either 3150 km/s or 5450 km/s; the two possible values are due to an uncertain interpretation of features in the blue wing of the line. The line may also show a weak, redshifted emission, completing a P Cygni profile. The derived mass-loss of 0.7-2.2 x 10 to the -11th solar masses/yr is quite typical of dwarf novae in outburst. Thus, despite the unusual photometric properties of this system, long recurrence time, large amplitude outbursts, and long duration eruptions, the IUE observations reveal that the physical characteristics of the outburst are fairly typical of dwarf novae.

Downes, Ronald A.

Ultraviolet Fe VII absorption lines in planetary nebula nuclei, hot subdwarfs, and hot degenerate objects

Results are reported from a search for Fe VII absorption lines in data from high-dispersion IUE-SWP observations of PN nuclei (PNN), hot subdwarfs (HSDs), and hot white dwarfs (HWDs). The data-reduction techniques employed are outlined, and the results are presented in extensive tables and sample spectra and characterized in detail. Absorption in at least one of the four Fe VII lines above 120 nm wavelength is found in 22 of 51 PNN, and possibly in 10 HSDs, in the pulsating HWD PG 1159 - 035, and in the PNN K1 - 16. It is concluded that Fe VII is more common in WD progenitors such as PNN than previously predicted and is especially typical of the more luminous low-gravity stars.

Feibelman, Walter A.