The Origins and Evolutionary Status of B Stars Found Far from the Galactic Plane. II. Kinematics and Full Sample Analysis
This paper continues the analysis of faint high-latitude B stars fromMartin. Here we analyze the kinematics of the stars and combine themwith the abundance information from the first paper to classify eachone. The sample contains 31 Population I runaways, 15 old evolved stars(including 5 blue horizontal-branch [BHB] stars, 3 post-HB stars, 1pulsating helium dwarf, and 6 stars of ambiguous classification), 1 Fdwarf, and 2 stars that do not easily fit in one of the othercategories. No star in the sample unambiguously shows thecharacteristics of a young massive star formed in situ in the halo. Thetwo unclassified stars are probably extreme Population I runaways. Thelow binary frequency and rotational velocity distribution of thePopulation I runaways imply that most were ejected from dense starclusters by the dynamic ejection scenario. However, we remain puzzled bythe lack of runaway Be stars. We also confirm that PB 166 and HIP 41979are both nearby solar-metallicity BHB stars.Based on observations made at the 2.1 m Otto Struve Telescope ofMcDonald Observatory, operated by the University of Texas at Austin.
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The Origins and Evolutionary Status of B Stars Found Far from the Galactic Plane. I. Composition and Spectral Features
The existence of faint blue stars far above the Galactic plane that havespectra that are similar to nearby Population I B stars presents severalinteresting questions. Among them are the following: Can a Population IB star travel from the disk to a position many kiloparsecs above theplane in a relatively short main-sequence lifetime? Is it possible thatsingle massive star formation is occurring far from the Galactic plane?Are these objects something else masquerading as main-sequence B stars?This paper (the first of two) analyzes the abundances of a sample ofthese stars and reveals several that are chemically similar to nearbyPopulation I B stars, whereas others clearly have abundance patternsmore like those expected in blue horizontal-branch (BHB) orpost-asymptotic giant branch stars. Several of those with old evolvedstar abundances also have interesting features of note in their spectra.We also consider why this sample does not have any classical Be starsand identify at least two nearby solar-metallicity BHB stars.Based on observations made at the 2.1 m Otto Struve Telescope ofMcDonald Observatory operated by the University of Texas at Austin.
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Young Stars far from the Galactic Plane: Runaways from Clusters
Quite recently, a significant number of OB stars far from the galacticplane have been found, situated at z-distances ranging from severalhundreds of pc to several kpc. The short lifetimes of these stars poseproblems for their interpretation in terms of the standard picture ofstar formation. Different mechanisms have been put forward to explainthe existence of these stars, either within the conventional view, orpostulating star formation in the galactic halo itself. These mechanismsrange from arguing that they are misidentified evolved or abnormalstars, to postulating powerful ejection mechanisms for young disk stars;in situ formation also admits several variants. We have collected fromthe literature a list of young stars far from the plane, for which theevidence of youth seems convincing. We discuss two possible formationmechanisms for these stars: ejection from the plane as the result ofdynamical evolution of small clusters (Poveda et al. 1967) and in situformation, via induced shocks created by spiral density waves (Martos etal. 1999). We compute galactic orbits for these stars, and identify thestars that could be explained by one or the other mechanism. We findthat about 90 percent of the stars can be accounted for by the clusterejection mechanism, that is, they can be regarded as runaway stars inthe galactic halo.
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Infrared flux excesses from hot subdwarfs. II. 72 more objects
In our search, started in February, 1994, for JHK excess fluxes amongthe hot subdwarf population as an indicator for the presence of binarycompanions, results for 72 more hot objects (=63 hot subdwarfs + 1Horizontal Branch B star + 7 white dwarfs + 1 non-subdwarf object)observed with the Carlos Sanchez CVF IR photometer (in June and October,1994), are presented. The exact number of binary hot subdwarfs hasgained renewed importance after the recent discovery of pulsators withG-F companions. The total number of candidates we propose may help toset some constraints; for example, out of 41 objects with excesses, 13may have G-type binary companions. From our new sample, 14 discoveriesof binary candidates have been found: BD+25 4655, Feige 108, HD 4539, HD149382, HD 216135, KPD 2109+440, LSI+63 198, LSIV+10 9, LSV+22 38, PG0011+221, PG 0116+242, PG 0314+103, PG 2151+100 and TON 139. Besides, 2more from reanalysis of February, 1994, data - BD+37 1977 and BD+481777, may now be found to be IR excess candidates. Two suspectedbinaries, PB 8555 and SB 7, are also confirmed. By fitting \cite[Kurucz(1993)]{kur93} model spectra and assuming zero-age main sequencecompanions, we find upper limits on the subdwarf gravities. Thedistributions of upper limits on log(g), mostly between about 5.25 and6.5, are nearly identical for both sdBs and sdOs. Figure~1 is onlyavailable in the electronic version of the paper(http://www.edpsciences.com)
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Classification of Population II Stars in the Vilnius Photometric System. I. Methods
The methods used for classification of Population II stars in theVilnius photometric system are described. An extensive set of standardswith known astrophysical parameters compiled from the literature sourcesis given. These standard stars are classified in the Vilnius photometricsystem using the methods described. The accuracy of classification isevaluated by a comparison of the astrophysical parameters derived fromthe Vilnius photometric system with those estimated from spectroscopicstudies as well as from photometric data in other systems. For dwarfsand subdwarfs, we find a satisfactory agreement between our reddeningsand those estimated in the uvbyscriptstyle beta system. The standarddeviation of [Fe/H] deter mined in the Vilnius system is about 0.2 dex.The absolute magnitude for dwarfs and subdwarfs is estimated with anaccuracy of scriptstyle <=0.5 mag.
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Analysis of Neckel and Chini standard stars in the UBVRI photometric system
This paper studies the list of 60 faint standard stars of Neckel andChini (1980) in the UBVRI Johnson photometric system. We have re-reducedthe standard stars using our own method of reduction from a large numberof selected observations made at the Observatorio Astronomico Nacionaland at the Centro Astronomico Hispano-Aleman, both at Calar Alto, Spain,and at the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos, La Palma Island,Spain. The reduction method used is explained and the results are givenfor the four colors used: (B-V), (U-B), (V-R), and (V-I), together withthe V magnitude, that is, we have corrected many standard stars for eachcolor and magnitude. These results are supported with graphs whereresidual color is plotted against corresponding color (or magnitude).Finally, our (V-R) and (V-I) results are compared to those of Taylor etal. (1989), with a good correspondence.
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UBV(RI)c photometry of equatorial standard stars - A direct comparison between the northern and southern systems
UBV(RI)c photometry of 212 stars from Landolt's list of equatorialstandards is presented. The observations are tied to the system definedby Cousin's E-region standards. A comparison of the present results withLandolt's reveals reasonably good agreement for (V-R)c and (V-I)c, butmarked systematic differences for (B-V) and (U-B). The UBV systems ofCousins and Landolt are evidently not the same and both probably differfrom Johnson's original system.
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The runaway nature of distant early-type stars in the galactic halo
The kinematics of a sample of 32 distant halo B-stars with masses in therange 3-21 solar masses are investigated using the current 'runawaystar' hypotheses to establish if they belong to this group of stars.Whether postmass transfer secondaries in evolved massive close binariescan be normal low mass B-stars is discussed, but support for this ideais not found. Thus it appears that the lower mass stars could not havebeen ejected out of the disk as a result of supernova explosions inmassive close binaries, while the higher mass objects do not in generalreveal a binary nature as expected from this theory. The results ofrecent N-body simulations of the purely dynamical ejection of runawaystars from young galactic star clusters are in excellent agreement withthe observations. Thus it appears that these halo stars are the mostdistant subgroup of OB runaways produced by cluster ejection yetobserved.
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The properties of the Neckel-Chini VRI system
Cousins (1980) data for 54 of the standard stars of Neckel and Chini(1980) and published measurements are used to investigate the propertiesof the Neckel-Chini VRI system. For red stars, this system diverges fromthe Johnson (1962) system, despite frequent claims of identity betweenthe two. The Neckel-Chini and Cousins systems, however, are closelycomparable. Both of these conclusions were previously reached in a paperby Bessell (1983); fair to good quantitative agreement with his resultsare obtained. Reddening ratios, the scatter in the Neckel-Chinistandard-star data, and the effect of this scatter on publishedmeasurements for program stars, are discussed. Transformations from theNeckel-Chini system to the Cousins system are given.
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Radial velocities and spectral types for a sample of faint blue stars.
Not Available
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A catalogue of spectroscopically identified hot subdwarf stars.
Not Available
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Observations of early-type stars at high galactic latitudes
Using equivalent widths and line profiles measured from high resolutionAAT spectra in conjunction with model atmosphere calculations, it isshown that a sample of eleven high galactic latitude early-type starsare normal, distant objects. Stellar velocities in the z-directiondetermined from the spectra, coupled with the galactic gravitationalfield g(z), allow the times the stars would have taken to reach theirpresent positions if they were ejected from the disc to be derived. Acomparison of these times with the evolutionary ages indicate that atleast four of the stars have been formed in situ, possibly from galacticfountain material.
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A search for faint blue stars in high galactic latitudes. III - Twelve PSS fields at declinations - 6 and - 12 deg near the South Galactic Pole
This third paper completes the survey of faint blue objects near theSouth Galactic Pole. A catalogue of 2484 starlike or compact objects ispresented with the 1950 positions, estimated magnitudes, color classesand extensive identifications with stars of previous surveys and knownQSO's.
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On the nature of early-type stars in the galactic halo
Effective temperatures and surface gravities of 46 intermediate and highgalactic latitude OB stars have been estimated from Stromgren /C1/ andH-beta photometry. In addition, helium, calcium and magnesium abundancesrelative to hydrogen have been derived for eleven stars. The typicalOB-type stellar parameters indicate that they are normal Population Istars, several of which require ejection velocities of more than 100km/s from the plane in order to reach their present z-distances duringtheir lifetimes. The observed correlation between peculiar velocity andmass for stars with /z/ not less than 400 pc is compatible with theBlaauw runaway hypothesis as the acceleration mechanism. A plot of logN(Na I) versus E(B-V) implies that the gas-to-dust ratio in the halo isprobably similar to that found for material in the galactic disc. Thisimplies that the sputtering of calcium from grain surfaces is probablyresponsible for the observed velocity dependence of the N(Na I)/N(Ca II)ratio.
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UBVRI photometric standard stars around the celestial equator
It is pointed out that accurate, internally consistent, and readilyaccessible standard star photometric sequences are necessary for thecalibration of the intensity and color data which astronomers obtain atthe telescope. The photometric results provided in connection with thepresent study represent the first part of an effort which is concernedwith the presentation of UBVRI photoelectric photometric standard starsin the magnitude range from 7 to 17 over as broad a range in color aspossible. All of the photometric observations were made with a 31034type photomultiplier used in a pulse counting mode. Some 15 to 25standard stars chosen from Cousins' lists (1973, 1976) in the E-regionswere observed with an 0.4-m telescope each night along with the programstars. UBVRI standard stars were observed periodically throughout thenight. Observations with a 0.9-m telescope were also conducted. TheUBVRI photoelectric observations take into account 223 stars.
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Sixty faint UBVRI standards
A list of 60 faint UBVRI standards is presented. Their UBV magnitudesare in the system introduced by Johnson (1955) and their V-R and V-Icolors are in the system of the Arizona Tonantzintla catalogue byIriarte et al. (1965). These stars are spread over an equatorial belt atan angle less than 30 deg, so that they can be observed as well fromnorthern as from southern sites.
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The blue horizontal-branch stars of NGC 6752
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1978ApJ...221..825N
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Photometry of faint blue stars - III. Hbeta photometry of some southern stars.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1977MNRAS.178..369K
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The Nature of Faint Blue Stars in the Halo. II
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1974ApJS...28..157G&db_key=AST
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A Photometric Classification of the Feige Blue Stars
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1970PASP...82.1305G
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Horizontal-Branch Stars and Interstellar Lines at High Latitude
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1968ApJ...152..431G&db_key=AST
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The Nature of the Faint Blue Stars
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1966ApJ...144..496G
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Mean absolute magnitude of the blue stars at high galactic latitude.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1962AJ.....67..740K&db_key=AST
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An Atlas of Indentification Charts for 113 Blue Stars.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1959ApJ...129..600F
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A search for blue stars in high galactic latitudes.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1958AJ.....63..484C&db_key=AST
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A Search for Underluminous Hot Stars.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1958ApJ...128..267F
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INHABITED SKY
