119302819
IGR J16547-1916/1RXS J165443.5-191620—a new intermediate polar from the INTEGRAL galactic survey
We present the results of our optical identification of the X-ray source IGR J16547-1916 detected by the INTEGRAL observatory during a deep all-sky survey. Analysis of the spectroscopic data from the SWIFT and INTEGRAL observatories in the X-ray energy band and from the BTA (Special Astrophysical Observatory) telescope in the optical band has shown that the source is most likely an intermediate polar—an accreting white dwarf with the mass ofMWD μ 0.85M⊙ binary system. Subsequent studies of the object’s rapid variability with the RTT-150 telescope have confirmed this conclusion by revealing periodic pulsations of its optical emission with a period of ≈550 s.
118487818
Masses and accretion rates of supermassive black holes in active galactic nuclei from the INTEGRAL survey
The masses of 68 supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in nearby (z < 0.15) active galactic nuclei (AGNs) detected by the INTEGRAL observatory in the hard X-ray energy band (17–60 keV) outside the Galactic plane (|b| 5°) have been estimated. Well-known relations between the SMBHmass and (1) the infrared luminosity of the stellar bulge (from 2MASS data) and (2) the characteristics of broad emission lines (from RTT-150 data) have been used. A comparison with the more accurate SMBH mass estimates obtained by the reverberation-mapping technique and from direct dynamical measurements is also made for several objects. The SMBH masses derived from the correlation with the bulge luminosity turn out to be systematically higher than the estimates made by other methods. The ratio of the bolometric luminosity to the critical Eddington luminosity has been found for all AGNs. It ranges from 1 to 100% for the overwhelming majority of objects.
119196445
New cataclysmic variable 1RXS J073346.0+261933 in Gemini
In the course of our search for the optical identifications of ROSAT X-ray sources, we have found a highly variable object with a very unusual behavior on long time scales, rare color indices, and a high X-ray-to-optical flux ratio. We present the archival light curve from the Catalina Sky Survey, optical spectroscopy from RTT150, and time-resolved photometry from the Astrotel-Caucasus telescope. The object appears to be a magnetic cataclysmic variable (a polar) with an orbital period P = 3.20 h.
54933433
Pioneering space based detector for study of cosmic rays beyond GZK Limit
Space-based detectors for study of extreme energy cosmic rays (EECR) are being prepared as promising new direction of EECR study. Pioneering space device - tracking ultraviolet set up (TUS) is at the last stage of its construction and testing. TUS detector description is presented.
43975531
The eccentric massive binary V380 Cyg: revised orbital elements and interpretation of the intrinsic variability of the primary component
We present a detailed analysis and interpretation of the hig h-mass binary V380 Cyg, based on high-precision space photometry gathered with the Kepler space mission as well as highresolution ground-based spectroscopy obtained with thehermes spectrograph attached to the 1.2m Mercator telescope. We derive a precise orbital solution and the full physical properties of the system, including dynamical component mass estimates of 11.43±0.19 and 7.00±0.14 M⊙ for the primary and secondary, respectively. Our frequency analysis reveals the rotation frequency of the primary in both the photometric and spectroscopic data and additional low-amplitude stochastic variability at low freq uency in the space photometry with characteristics that are compatible with recent theoretic al predictions for gravity-mode oscillations excited either by the convective core or by sub-s urface convective layers. Doppler Imaging analysis of the Silicon lines of the primary suggests the presence of two high-contrast stellar surface abundance spots which are located either at the same latitude or longitude. Comparison of the observed properties of the binary with present-day single-star evolutionary models shows that the latter are inadequate and lack a serious amount of near-core mixing.
118771675
The Kepler characterization of the variability among A- and F-type stars. - I: General overview
Context. The Kepler spacecraft is providing time series of photometric data with micromagnitude precision for hundreds of A-F type stars. Aims. We present a first general characterization of the pulsational behaviour of A-F type stars as observed in the Kepler light curves of a sample of 750 candidate A-F type stars, and observationally investigate the relation between γ Doradus (γ Dor), δ Scuti (δ Sct), and hybrid stars. Methods. We compile a database of physical parameters for the sample stars from the literature and new ground-based observations. We analyse the Kepler light curve of each star and extract the pulsational frequencies using different frequency analysis methods. We construct two new observables, “energy ”a nd “efficiency”, related to the driving energy of the pulsation mode and the convective efficiency of the outer convective zone, respectively. Results. We propose three main groups to describe the observed variety in pulsating A-F type stars: γ Dor, δ Sct, and hybrid stars. We assign 63% of our sample to one of the three groups, and identify the remaining part as rotationally modulated/active stars, binaries, stars of different spectral type, or stars that show no clear periodic variability. 23% of the stars (171 stars) are hybrid stars, which is a much higher fraction than what has been observed before. We characterize for the first time a large number of A-F type stars (475 stars) in terms of number of detected frequencies, frequency range, and typical pulsation amplitudes. The majority of hybrid stars show frequencies with all kinds of periodicities within the γ Dor and δ Sct range, also between 5 and 10 d −1 , which is a challenge for the current models. We find indications for the existence of δ Sct and γ Dor stars beyond the edges of the current observational instability strips. The hybrid stars occupy the entire region within the δ Sct and γ Dor instability strips and beyond. Non-variable stars seem to exist within the instability strips. The location of γ Dor and δ Sct classes in the (Teff ,l ogg)-diagram has been extended. We investigate two newly constructed variables, “efficiency ”a nd “energy”, as a means to explore the relation between γ Dor and δ Sct stars. Conclusions. Our results suggest a revision of the current observational instability strips of δ Sct and γ Dor stars and imply an investigation of pulsation mechanisms to supplement the κ mechanism and convective blocking effect to drive hybrid pulsations. Accurate physical parameters for all stars are needed to confirm these findings.
118563804
Spectrum analysis of bright Kepler late B- to early F-stars
The Kepler satellite mission was designed to search for transiting exoplanets and delivers single band-pass light curves of a huge number of stars observed in the CygnusLyra region. At the same time, it opens a new window for asteroseismology. In order to accomplish one of the required preconditions for the asteroseismic modelling of the stars, namely knowledge of their precise fundamental parameters, ground-based spectroscopic and/or photometric follow-up observations are needed. We aim to derive fundamental parameters and individual abundances for a sample of 18 Dor/� Sct and 8 SPB/� Cep candidate stars in the Kepler satellite field of view. We use the spectral synthesis method to model newly obtained, high-resolution spectra of 26 stars in order to derive their fundamental parameters like Teff, logg, v sini, �, [M/H], and individual abundances with high accuracy. The stars are then placed into the log(Teff)– log(g) diagram and the obtained spectroscopic classification is compared to the existing photometric one. For most A- and F-type stars, the derived Teff values agree within the measurement errors with the values given in the Kepler Input Catalog (KIC). For hot stars, the KIC temperatures appear to be systematically underestimated, in agreement with previous findings. We also find that the temperatures derived from our spectra agree reasonably well with those derived from the SED fitting. According to their position in the log(Teff)–log(g) diagram, two stars are expected Dor stars,
56413934
KIC 11285625: A double-lined spectroscopic binary with a γ Doradus pulsator discovered from Kepler space photometry
Aims. We present the first binary modelling results for the pulsating, eclipsing binary KIC 11285625 that was discovered by the Kepler mission. An automated method to disentangle the pulsation spectrum and the orbital variability in high quality light curves was developed and applied. The goal was to obtain accurate orbital and component properties in combination with essential information derived from spectroscopy. Methods. A binary model for KIC 11285625 was obtained, using a combined analysis of high-quality space-based Kepler light curves and ground-based high-resolution HERMES echelle spectra. The binary model was used to separate the pulsation characteristics from the orbital variability in the Kepler light curve in an iterative way. We used an automated procedure based on the JKTEBOP binary modelling code to perform this task, and adapted codes for frequency analysis and prewhitening of periodic signals. Using a disentangling technique applied to the composite HERMES spectra, we obtained a higher signal-to-noise mean spectrum for both the primary and the secondary components. A model grid search method for fitting synthetic spectra was used for fundamental parameter determination for both components. Results. Accurate orbital and component properties of KIC 11285625 were derived, and we have obtained the pulsation spectrum of the γ Dor pulsator in the system. Detailed analysis of the pulsation spectrum revealed amplitude modulation on a timescale of a hundred days, and strong indications of frequency splittings at both the orbital frequency and the rotational frequency derived from spectroscopy. © ESO, 2013.