Local kinematics of K and M giants from CORAVEL/Hipparcos/Tycho-2 data. Revisiting the concept of superclusters
The availability of the Hipparcos Catalogue has triggered many kinematicand dynamical studies of the solar neighbourhood. Nevertheless, thosestudies generally lacked the third component of the space velocities,i.e., the radial velocities. This work presents the kinematic analysisof 5952 K and 739 M giants in the solar neighbourhood which includes forthe first time radial velocity data from a large survey performed withthe CORAVEL spectrovelocimeter. It also uses proper motions from theTycho-2 catalogue, which are expected to be more accurate than theHipparcos ones. An important by-product of this study is the observedfraction of only 5.7% of spectroscopic binaries among M giants ascompared to 13.7% for K giants. After excluding the binaries for whichno center-of-mass velocity could be estimated, 5311 K and 719 M giantsremain in the final sample. The UV-plane constructed from these datafor the stars with precise parallaxes (σπ/π≤20%) reveals a rich small-scale structure, with several clumpscorresponding to the Hercules stream, the Sirius moving group, and theHyades and Pleiades superclusters. A maximum-likelihood method, based ona Bayesian approach, has been applied to the data, in order to make fulluse of all the available stars (not only those with precise parallaxes)and to derive the kinematic properties of these subgroups. Isochrones inthe Hertzsprung-Russell diagram reveal a very wide range of ages forstars belonging to these groups. These groups are most probably relatedto the dynamical perturbation by transient spiral waves (as recentlymodelled by De Simone et al. \cite{Simone2004}) rather than to clusterremnants. A possible explanation for the presence of younggroup/clusters in the same area of the UV-plane is that they have beenput there by the spiral wave associated with their formation, while thekinematics of the older stars of our sample has also been disturbed bythe same wave. The emerging picture is thus one of dynamical streamspervading the solar neighbourhood and travelling in the Galaxy withsimilar space velocities. The term dynamical stream is more appropriatethan the traditional term supercluster since it involves stars ofdifferent ages, not born at the same place nor at the same time. Theposition of those streams in the UV-plane is responsible for the vertexdeviation of 16.2o ± 5.6o for the wholesample. Our study suggests that the vertex deviation for youngerpopulations could have the same dynamical origin. The underlyingvelocity ellipsoid, extracted by the maximum-likelihood method afterremoval of the streams, is not centered on the value commonly acceptedfor the radial antisolar motion: it is centered on < U > =-2.78±1.07 km s-1. However, the full data set(including the various streams) does yield the usual value for theradial solar motion, when properly accounting for the biases inherent tothis kind of analysis (namely, < U > = -10.25±0.15 kms-1). This discrepancy clearly raises the essential questionof how to derive the solar motion in the presence of dynamicalperturbations altering the kinematics of the solar neighbourhood: doesthere exist in the solar neighbourhood a subset of stars having no netradial motion which can be used as a reference against which to measurethe solar motion?Based on observations performed at the Swiss 1m-telescope at OHP,France, and on data from the ESA Hipparcos astrometry satellite.Full Table \ref{taba1} is only available in electronic form at the CDSvia anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/430/165}
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Technetium and the third dredge up in AGB stars. I. Field stars
We searched for Tc in a sample of long period variables selected bystellar luminosity derived from Hipparcos parallaxes. Tc, as an unstables-process element, is a good indicator for the evolutionary status ofstars on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB). In this paper we study theoccurrence of Tc as a function of luminosity to provide constraints onthe minimum luminosity for the third dredge up as estimated from recentstellar evolution models.A large number of AGB stars above the estimated theoretical limit forthe third dredge up are found not to show Tc. We confirm previousfindings that only a small fraction of the semiregular variables show Tclines in their spectra. Contrary to earlier results by Little et al.(\cite{llmb87}) we find also a significant number of Miras without Tc.The presence and absence of Tc is discussed in relation to the massdistribution of AGB stars. We find that a large fraction of the stars ofour sample must have current masses of less than 1.5 Msun .Combining our findings with stellar evolution scenarios we conclude thatthe fraction of time a star is observed as a SRV or a Mira is dependenton its mass.Partly based on observations collected at the European SouthernObservatory, Paranal, Chile (ESO-Programme 65.L-0317(A)).
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Hipparcos red stars in the HpV_T2 and V I_C systems
For Hipparcos M, S, and C spectral type stars, we provide calibratedinstantaneous (epoch) Cousins V - I color indices using newly derivedHpV_T2 photometry. Three new sets of ground-based Cousins V I data havebeen obtained for more than 170 carbon and red M giants. These datasetsin combination with the published sources of V I photometry served toobtain the calibration curves linking Hipparcos/Tycho Hp-V_T2 with theCousins V - I index. In total, 321 carbon stars and 4464 M- and S-typestars have new V - I indices. The standard error of the mean V - I isabout 0.1 mag or better down to Hp~9 although it deteriorates rapidly atfainter magnitudes. These V - I indices can be used to verify thepublished Hipparcos V - I color indices. Thus, we have identified ahandful of new cases where, instead of the real target, a random fieldstar has been observed. A considerable fraction of the DMSA/C and DMSA/Vsolutions for red stars appear not to be warranted. Most likely suchspurious solutions may originate from usage of a heavily biased color inthe astrometric processing.Based on observations from the Hipparcos astrometric satellite operatedby the European Space Agency (ESA 1997).}\fnmsep\thanks{Table 7 is onlyavailable in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp tocdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/397/997
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Velocity variability of semiregular and irregular variables
We compare velocities from near infrared lines with center-of-massvelocities for a sample of semiregular and irregular variables to searchfor indications for a convective blueshift. It is shown that a generalblueshift is present but that the light variability is obviously notdominated by convective cells but rather by stellar pulsation. All starsof our sample show a similar shape and amplitude in the velocityvariations. Long secondary periods are a common feature in these objectsand strongly influence the measured velocity shifts. The star V366 Aqlis found to be the first SRV showing line doubling.
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New periodic variables from the Hipparcos epoch photometry
Two selection statistics are used to extract new candidate periodicvariables from the epoch photometry of the Hipparcos catalogue. Theprimary selection criterion is a signal-to-noise ratio. The dependenceof this statistic on the number of observations is calibrated usingabout 30000 randomly permuted Hipparcos data sets. A significance levelof 0.1 per cent is used to extract a first batch of candidate variables.The second criterion requires that the optimal frequency be unaffectedif the data are de-trended by low-order polynomials. We find 2675 newcandidate periodic variables, of which the majority (2082) are from theHipparcos`unsolved' variables. Potential problems with theinterpretation of the data (e.g. aliasing) are discussed.
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Periods of 25 Pulsating Red Giants
We report periods and amplitudes of 25 pulsating red giants: T Cet, EGAnd, AK Hya, TV UMa, GK Com, SW Vir, FH Vir, EV Vir, tau-4 Ser, AZ Dra,V973 Cyg, V1070 Cyg, and also HR 211, 284, 648, 2286, 2999, 3521, 4267,4483, 5331, 5352, 6543, 6815, and 7009, determined from AmericanAssociation of Variable Stars (AAVSO) photoelectric photometry over upto 5800 days.
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Stars with the Largest Hipparcos Photometric Amplitudes
A list of the 2027 stars that have the largest photometric amplitudes inHipparcos Photometry shows that most variable stars are all Miras. Thepercentage of variable types change as a function of amplitude. Thiscompilation should also be of value to photometrists looking forrelatively unstudied, but large amplitude stars.
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On the Variability of K5-M Stars
I investigate the Hipparcos Satellite photometry of K5-M stars to seethe pattern of activity of these stars. A few stars for which furtherstudy is desirable are identified.
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Speckle Interferometry of New and Problem HIPPARCOS Binaries
The ESA Hipparcos satellite made measurements of over 12,000 doublestars and discovered 3406 new systems. In addition to these, 4706entries in the Hipparcos Catalogue correspond to double star solutionsthat did not provide the classical parameters of separation and positionangle (rho,theta) but were the so-called problem stars, flagged ``G,''``O,'' ``V,'' or ``X'' (field H59 of the main catalog). An additionalsubset of 6981 entries were treated as single objects but classified byHipparcos as ``suspected nonsingle'' (flag ``S'' in field H61), thusyielding a total of 11,687 ``problem stars.'' Of the many ground-basedtechniques for the study of double stars, probably the one with thegreatest potential for exploration of these new and problem Hipparcosbinaries is speckle interferometry. Results are presented from aninspection of 848 new and problem Hipparcos binaries, using botharchival and new speckle observations obtained with the USNO and CHARAspeckle cameras.
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1--4 MU M Spectroscopy of Very Red Stars Found in an I-Band Objective Prism Survey
We present the 1.2--4.2 mu m spectroscopy of stars found in an objectiveprism survey of the galactic plane by Stephenson (1992, AAA 55.002.010).These stars were thought by Stephenson to be heavily reddened byinterstellar absorption. However, almost all of them have turned out tobe late-type stars with clear 2.3 mu m CO absorption, which means thatthey are intrinsically red as well. A few stars have AV ~ 9, but mostof them are only moderately reddened (AV = 1--5).
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Vitesses radiales. Catalogue WEB: Wilson Evans Batten. Subtittle: Radial velocities: The Wilson-Evans-Batten catalogue.
We give a common version of the two catalogues of Mean Radial Velocitiesby Wilson (1963) and Evans (1978) to which we have added the catalogueof spectroscopic binary systems (Batten et al. 1989). For each star,when possible, we give: 1) an acronym to enter SIMBAD (Set ofIdentifications Measurements and Bibliography for Astronomical Data) ofthe CDS (Centre de Donnees Astronomiques de Strasbourg). 2) the numberHIC of the HIPPARCOS catalogue (Turon 1992). 3) the CCDM number(Catalogue des Composantes des etoiles Doubles et Multiples) byDommanget & Nys (1994). For the cluster stars, a precise study hasbeen done, on the identificator numbers. Numerous remarks point out theproblems we have had to deal with.
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The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) Photoelectric Photometry Archive
Not Available
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A different type of maser star
A systematic survey of short-period, semiregular variable stars has beenmade resulting in the detection of six new water masers. Of the 14short-period maser stars now known, nine are classified as SRbvariables. All are very late spectral type SRb's, typically M7, whilethe overwhelming majority of normal SRb stars is M4 to M6. Their 2.2-11micron color indices are among the lowest of any known maser stars. Theyare presumably less dusty as well. Four of the SRb stars and two of theremainder do not obey the correlation between period and velocity spreadof the emission features that is found for the Mira and long-period,semiregular variables. Finally, high galactic latitudes dominate; 13 ofthe 14 are in excess of 13 deg, and nine of these are greater than 25deg. These facts suggest that the short-period semiregular variables -particularly in SRb stars - may be a very different type of maser starthan the Mira and long-period semiregular variables.
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The structural properties of Cepheid light curves
Fourier decompositions are performed for the V magnitude variations of asample of 57 Cepheids ranging in period from 2 to 17 days. Thecoefficients have been tabulated to allow rapid reconstruction of thelight curves. It is shown that combinations of the low-ordercoefficients quantitatively describe the progression of curve shape withperiod. The pulsation amplitude plays only a minor role. Sharp breaks inthe progression, occurring at around 10 days, are attributed to theresonance P2/P0 = 0.5. It is suggested that the Fourier decompositionsprovide a straightforward method for resolving a number of controversiesconcerning theoretical interpretations of the Hertzsprung sequence. Thepaper closes with a brief discussion of three short-period stars whichseem to occupy a unique position in the sample.
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2.2-micron field stars at the North Galactic Pole
The properties of the 2.2-micron field stars seen near the NorthGalactic Pole by the Two Micron Sky Survey and by surveys at highersensitivity are discussed. All the 2.2-micron sources found in thesesurveys can be identified with stars with known spectral types. Thedistribution of the 2.2-micron field stars appears to bewell-understood.
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The classification of intrinsic variable. III. Calibration of the luminosities of small amplitude red variables in the old disk population
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1973ApJ...180..857E&db_key=AST
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Spectral types and UBV photometry of G-K giants at the north galactic pole
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1973AJ.....78...37S&db_key=AST
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The Consequences of Grains in the Atmospheres of Late-Type Stars. I. Intrinsic Polarization, Infrared Excesses, and Emission Lines
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1972ApJ...177..427J&db_key=AST
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The kinematics of semiregular red variables in the solar neighbourhood.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1972MNRAS.158...23F&db_key=AST
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Intrinsic polarization in K and M giants and supergiants.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1971AJ.....76..431D&db_key=AST
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Catalog of Indidual Radial Velocities, 0h-12h, Measured by Astronomers of the Mount Wilson Observatory
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1970ApJS...19..387A&db_key=AST
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- and Broad-Band Photometry of Red Stars. Northern Giants
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1967ApJS...14..307E&db_key=AST
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The space distribution of late type stars in a North galactic pole region.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1962AJ.....67...37U&db_key=AST
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A list of relatively cool stars in the vicinity of the north galacticpole.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1960AJ.....65..644U&db_key=AST
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Radial Velocities, Spectral Types, and Luminosity Classes of 820 Stars.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1950ApJ...112...48M&db_key=AST
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INHABITED SKY
